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Jargon-free project management Overview A one-day “jargon-free” workshop designed specifically to guide those new to, or with limited experience in, project management who want their projects to run more smoothly, and to manage them more confidently. The course aims to answer the questions raised by many new project managers, such as “Where do I start?”, “How do I get the project off the ground, keep it going, and still ‘juggle all the balls in the air’ at the same time?”, “How do I keep my head when problems arise?” and “How do I navigate my way through to a successful conclusion?”. Training objectives The aims of the programme are to help participants:

● Understand the most important aspects of project management ● Develop strong foundations for being an effective project manager ● Plan a project carefully ● Cost a project well ● Ensure that effective monitoring controls are in place ● Implement projects successfully ● Effectively communicate with others involved in the project ● Tackle difficulties positively ● Deal with change constructively ● Evaluate a project well and learn lessons for future improvements

At the end of the programme, participants will:

● Be able to confidently manage new projects ● Look, in a fresh way, at better managing existing projects

Audience This is an introductory course in project management for those who wish to develop their skills in the area as part of another role, or those new to project management. It is specifically designed for those with little or no experience in project management. Format This practical, highly interactive two-day workshop, is deliberately jargon-free. Sessions are led by a facilitator, with group discussions used to identify personal experiences of good and bad project management. Participants will leave more confident in their project management skills, having developed realistic action plans during the day. The course is partly based on the trainer’s book, “ Teach Yourself Successful Project Management in a Week” and each participant will receive a free copy as part of the course.

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The expert trainer Martin is a highly experienced, professional reference-book editor, language trainer and consultant. He has worked with national and international companies and organisations leading courses on communications and business skills in a variety of areas, including time management, project management, report writing and how to run effective meetings. Martin has a unique combination of skills and experience as a highly experienced project manager, an English language specialist, a writer and editor, and a trainer and consultant. He has undertaken a number of large project management assignments including:

● Leading a team of nearly 100 people to manage one of the few 20th-century study Bibles to be originated in the UK, The Thematic Reference Bible

● Leading teams to manage the award-winning Collins Bible Companion and the best-selling Macmillan Student’s Dictionary

Clients on Martin’s courses cover a wide range of industries and come from a wide variety of organisations (e.g., AMEC, Arthritis Care, Baptist Union, British Dental Journal, Buckinghamshire County Council, CAPITA Business Services Limited, CARE (Christian Action Research & Education), Charles Stanley Stockbrokers, Department of Education, Equitable Life Assurance, Network Rail, South West Trains, Wycliffe Hall) from a broad range of sectors, including local councils, utilities, publishing, charity, transport and financial services. Martin is a highly experienced and popular trainer. He has strong facilitation skills and participants in his workshops regularly comment that their confidence has increased as a result of his training, as the following comments show: ‘Martin is an excellent tutor.’ ‘You coped well with a disparate group of experience and knowledge, and everyone was appreciative of your relaxed yet informative style.’ ‘Very professional. I have every intention of using him again.’ ‘A very motivated and motivating teacher.’ ‘A competent and interesting tutor .. . a good atmosphere both between students and tutor … Open structured enough for everyone to learn what they needed most to focus on.’ ‘Martin is a more than able communicator through his writing and teaching. He is practical without becoming shallow, relevant without becoming simplistic. In his teaching and writing … in explaining the complexities of [the subject], he helps make things clearer and applicable to life.’

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Course outline DAY 1 1. Welcome and introduction

● Participants’ personal objectives ● Brief questionnaire to fill in ● Action-plan template to complete throughout the workshop

2. Thinking clearly

● What is a project? ● Starting a project ● Points to consider as you start ● Assembling a project team ● Clarifying the project: defining the work ● Why do some projects fail?

3. Planning your project carefully

● Preparation and planning the separate stages ● Planning the resources for each stage ● Planning schedules ● The critical path ● Defining quality ● Managing risks

4. Costing your project wisely

● Why financial resources are important ● ‘Time is money’ ● Working out the cost of your project ● Developing a procurement policy ● Decision-making ● Finalising the project budget

DAY 2 5. Implementing your project successfully

● Confirming commitments ● Tracking, monitoring and controls ● Reporting mechanisms ● Dealing with risks ● Controlling your costs ● Planning for change

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● Keeping going 6. Communicating effectively

● The basics of communication ● A communications plan ● Delegating work ● Using email ● Meetings ● Progress reports ● Teamwork ● Resolving conflict

7. Dealing with change constructively

● Problems that may arise ● Getting your project running again ● Change management ● Responses to change ● Leading change

8. Concluding your project

● Completing a project ● Evaluating a project positively ● Openness ● Acknowledging failure ● Recognising success ● Identifying what has been achieved ● Documenting lessons learned

9. Qualities of a project manager

● Next steps and action plan for participants