Project Management Simplified

Introduction

• Project management: A priceless skill
• Introduction to the 12-step process

1. Define Your Project

• What is a project?
• Define the Iron Triangle
• Plan before you commit
• Kick-off meetings
• Key project drivers

2. List the Tasks

• Three ways to list all the project tasks
• Choose the level of granularity

3. Plan the Running Order

• Use Post-its to plan the order of tasks
• How to estimate durations
• The importance of your project's critical path

4. Add Contingency

• How much safety margin does a project need?
• How to calculate and add contingency

5. Crashing

• How to speed up your plan

6. Gantt Chart

• How to create a Gantt chart
• A reason to love Gantt charts
• Set up a basic Gantt chart in Excel
• Add names and dates to your Gantt
• Add time and money to your Gantt

7. Resources

• Resource planning for one project
• Resource planning for multiple projects

8. Risk

• How to create a Risk chart

9. Monitor Progress

• How to monitor project progress

10. Monitor Cost

• Cost monitoring: The potential traps
• The six combinations of progress and spend
• How to forecast future cost

11. Re-adjust the Plan

• When to re-adjust the plan
• What to do when your project is late or over budget

12. Review

• Why avoid reviewing projects
• How to review a project

Conclusion

• Apply the simple 12-step process