Project Management for Non-Project Managers

Project management is the art and science of getting results by following a roadmap laid down to turn customers' desires into concrete products and services by following established procedures in a defined sequence. The Project Management Institute brought active practitioners together to produce the Project Management Body of Knowledge, PMBOK, which is used around the world on all sorts of projects of varying sizes, with or without software support tools. 

PMBOK definition: A project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product or service. It is temporary because every project has a definite beginning and a definite end. It is Unique because the product or service delivered is different from others. Organizations use projects to achieve their strategic needs, which cannot be attained through normal operational means. 
Dr. Joseph Juran, a founder of the quality movement, provides another definition: 

A project is a problem scheduled for a solution. The key to a successful project is beginning with a clear definition of the business problem: What is the gap between what we have and what we want?

The context for Project Management

• What are projects and where do they fit?
• Our strengths and challenges in managing projects as Non-Project Managers 
• Project success factors and pitfalls
• Projects vs. operations

Project Management Processes

• Apply Process Model and Chain of Processes to projects
• Understand the Project Management process and project phases

Project Initiation

• Articulate project Business Problem 
• Make the Business Case : 
• Making Project Go/No-Go decision
• Perform Stakeholder analysis
• Publish Project Charter

Planning and Scheduling

• Elicit Requirements 
• Communicate and manage conflict effectively
• Analyze scope, constraints, assumptions
• Create Work Breakdown Structure and tactical plan
• Sequence activities optimally with Logic Diagram
• Manage the Critical Path
• Schedule, assign responsibility, and track

Cost Management

• Estimate Costs
• Define budget and tracking

Risk Management

• Define risks, qualitatively and quantitatively
• Use SWOT Analysis
• Develop Risk Impact Matrix
• Track and manage Risk; Escalate Risk Proactively

Human Resource and Communication Plan

• Develop Role and Responsibility Plan; Create RACI diagram
• Create Staffing Management Plan
• Define Project Team structure
• Develop Management Communications Plan
• Create Training Plan

Project Execution, Monitoring, and Control

• Define What and how to monitor; scope, schedule, cost, quality
• Capture actual results for scope, schedule, cost, quality 
• Conduct Project Reviews 

Project Closure

• Capture Best Practices 
• Apply Lessons Learned for continuous improvement

In today's world, many operations once performed by specialists are assigned to non-specialists as 'projects.' However, most professionals have not received training or tools to help them manage projects efficiently and effectively. The 'project' is added to an already full schedule, major decisions have been made elsewhere, and you have no 'team' to carry out the work. Many projects fail because they have no focusing definition, which leads to scope creep, missed deadlines, and blown budgets. More time is consumed in solving these problems and firefighting. Risks and contingency plans are often ignored. 

Without the basic tools of project management, people focus on a series of tasks and a To-Do list. Priorities get missed in favor of someone else's urgent agenda. More time is lost chasing down information and reinventing the wheel. Without the formal discipline of project management, it's hard to accomplish what is necessary and keep all your stakeholders satisfied. 

Avoid these predictable pitfalls, use project management basics and bring your projects in successfully, efficiently, and effectively with results the stakeholders want.
As a result of this educational program, Non-Project Managers will be able to:

• Plan, execute, and manage projects more effectively and efficiently
• Solve business problems
• Minimize risk
• Continuously improve project results
• Use PM tools optimally

• Leaders or staff who must manage projects as part of their responsibilities and are not full-time project managers or seeking certification as a project manager
• Managers of Project Managers 

Rebecca Staton-Reinstein, Ph.D., and President of Advantage Leadership, Inc. works with leaders and their organizations to Increase your bottom-line results through strategic leadership, engaged employees, and delighted customers in all economic sectors. Draw on her proven ability to mentor you through major change, customizing successful solutions to your complex issues. For over 25 years, Rebecca has contributed value as an executive, manager, educator, and consultant, honored on four continents. She is a Ph.D. in organizational development, a National Speakers Association Legacy Professional Member, and St. Petersburg Engineering Academy Foreign Member and author of books on strategic leadership and planning.