Summary
This three-day program teaches project leaders 1) the structural steps and techniques necessary to plan and execute a project effectively (defining scope, estimating, planning, etc.) and 2) how to collaborate with and influence others over whom they have no positional authority. Participants learn how they can modify their relationship behaviors to improve their own individual performance and that of their teams. By applying each of the project management tools to an actual project for which they are responsible, participants learn the skills to manage projects on time and within scope and budget.

Many of today's organizations are faced with the challenge of changing from traditional, hierarchical structures to flatter, matrix-type structures. Other organizations, already team-based, are finding it difficult to develop effective project team leaders, particularly those skilled at influencing team members who are not their direct reports. 

Course Outcomes
Essentials of Project Management provides cross-functional team leaders and members with the key strategies, skills, and practices necessary for enhancing project team performance by developing common goals among functional specialists and ensuring a synergistic method of task accomplishment within a common structure.

Participants also receive individual feedback on the impact of their project management practices on other members of their organization, giving them valuable insight into the actions they can take to enhance their working relationships and increase their overall effectiveness in working across the organization.

Upon completion of this seminar participants will be able to:

• Apply a model which details the stages of the development and execution of a project and understand each of those stages accomplishes;
• Implement common project management tools and techniques within this model;
• Apply a model which details the stages of development required for maturing into a synergistic interdepartmental team;
• Identify the driving forces which move organizations into more effective team structures and understand what those structures accomplish;
• Develop a focused team effort;
• Understand and be able to implement influence strategies that build commitment to team goals; and
• Recognize which of their personal behaviors are most effective for successfully leading project management teams. 

Program techniques are tailored and incorporated into the client’s unique project management process terms and steps through a series of application exercises addressing current project initiatives with which they are involved.

The course culminates in the development of a project plan which focuses on both individual and organization performance improvement. These plans are formulated, in part, using Sterling Institute's Project Management Practices Survey. This feedback instrument provides individual profiles for each participant on his or her project management practices and feedback on the impact of these practices on the entire organization for which the participant is responsible.