Project Management Bootcamp

Project Management Bootcamp Overview

Day 1 

After a brief introduction to project management as a science, students will begin the first day by exploring the first two phases of the project management process. While learning about the Initiation phase, students will be both identifying and selecting projects. They will practice creating a project charter and accurately compose a project scope document.

Then, it is a deep dive into the Planning phase, where a large degree of project success is determined. In the first part of the Planning phase, students will create diagrams and charts while learning the value in interpreting them. In the second part, students will gain technical experience by using strategy to determine such concepts as float and resource management.

The last part of Day 1 is a facilitated discussion on project managers and what it takes to become a successful one. Students will explore the most relevant skills and traits, discuss the vital importance of delegation, and the best strategies for managing change.

Day 2

For Day 2, students begin by taking a closer look at the project team. How can a top team be assembled? How can talent best be developed? What characteristics must be looked for? These questions and many others are explored through small group brainstorming and facilitated discussion.

Next, the course takes a slightly more quantitative turn, as students transition into the Execution phase of Project Management. In this phase, students will be presented with brief project case studies, and will be guided through the process of determining actual costs and the value of work performed through basic calculations and drawing graphs. This will culminate in the analysis of cost performance and estimation of costs at completion. 

Troubleshooting resources is then discussed, as students encounter mock situations where project resources are either overallocated or limited in quantities. Students will construct the appropriate tables and charts to visually solve these issues.

Risk Management is mapped into four categories: identification, assessment, planning, and monitoring. Students will work in teams to examine a sample project and evaluate the potential risk in that project.

What meetings should be held? Which reports should be created and who should receive them? What plans need to be drawn up? Students will practice creating efficient project meeting agendas, summarizing progress in the appropriate reports, and creating a plan for optimal communication.

Finally, the Closing phase will describe what should be done at the conclusion of the project. Such topics as collecting final payments, recognizing team members, and archiving project details will be covered, with students creating a sample post-project evaluation.

This two-day workshop concludes with a brief overview of Project Management software/apps, Project Management associations, and Project Management certifications.

By the end of this course, students will understand the 4 stages of project management: Initiating, Planning, Executing, and Closing. They will receive practical, hands-on experience, the theoretical knowledge behind managing projects, and the vocabulary necessary to communicate with others in the industry.