Workshop: Project Planning and Execution

Duration: Two Days

Description: This workshop covers basic techniques for creating a project plan and maintaining the plan as the project progresses. Participants begin with a WBS, estimate the task durations, and create a network diagram using the critical path method to determine the initial schedule. They then review the triple constraint trade-offs, perform risk identification and assessment, and adjust the schedule accordingly, resulting in the project baseline. Project execution is simulated by considering project progress at key status reporting periods. The workshop closes with techniques for closing out the project and collecting the lessons learned.

Audience: Project managers, project team leads, functional managers, and project core team members.

Workshop Topics:

1. Planning the Project

1. Rolling wave planning
2. Creating the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
3. Task estimating
4. Task sequencing
5. Creating a network diagram
6. Scheduling using the Critical Path Method (CPM)
7. Project duration estimating

2. Risk Management

1. Identifying key risk areas
2. Risk Analysis and prioritization
3. Determining the risk response actions
4. Risk prevention and transference
5. Revising the project plan to include risk response triggers
6. Preparing for contingencies
7. Establishing an on-going risk management process

3. Creating the Project Baseline Plan

1. Resource assignment and planning
2. Reviewing the Triple Constraint Trade-off
3. Resource loading and leveling
4. Speeding up the schedule
5. Negotiating a reasonable scope
6. Risk and management reserves
7. Establishing the project baseline
8. Effective use of project management software

4. Executing and Controlling the Project

1. Key project metrics
2. Earned value simplified
3. Collecting progress information
4. Effective team status meetings
5. Managing risks
6. Managing change
7. Assessing the project progress
8. Determining adaptive actions
9. Reporting on project progress to stakeholders
10. Key project management reviews

5. Closing Out the Project

1. Scope verification and customer acceptance
2. Ensuring an environment for effective product support
3. Closing out contracts
4. Issue log resolution
5. Collecting the lessons learned
6. Archiving the project file