Learning Object ID: 2519 Estimated Time: 02 hr 30 min Description:Imagine trying to control the unexpected and unpredictable through processes in such a way that you meet the cost, quality, and time expectations of all invested parties in order to accomplish a temporary endeavor. This is the mission of project management. Challenging? Yes. Impossible? No. All industries employ project managers to implement processes as a way to control business. In fact, the field of project management is rapidly expanding, as more companies become project-based organizations. However, not all organizations and industries manage projects well. Some continue to waste time, money, and resources even after establishing procedures and protocols. A 1995 Standish Group survey showed that only 16 percent of software development projects finished on time and under budget, 31 percent were canceled, and the remaining 53 percent overran by an average of 189 percent on cost and 222 percent on schedule. This predicament is a source of frustration for many organizations. It's not impossible to fulfill the mission of project management. Some companies are even good at it. With standards and best practices to follow and the know-how to incorporate these, organizations can offer world class project management. In this course, learners will be given an overview of the project management discipline. They'll be introduced to best practices outlined in the 2004 revised Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®) Guide published by the Project Management Institute (PMI®). Specifically, learners will be introduced to the characteristics of a project, learn to distinguish between projects and operations, and define progressive elaboration. They'll identify key project management concepts and terms, be introduced to the PMBOK® Knowledge Areas, and be given information about the variables that can influence project outcomes. This course provides a foundational knowledge base reflecting the most up-to-date project management information so learners can effectively put principles to work at their own organizations. This course will assist in preparing the learner for the PMBOK® certification exam. This course is aligned with A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) - Third Edition, published by the Project Management Institute (PMI®), Inc., 2004. Copyright and all rights reserved. Material from this publication has been reproduced with the permission of PMI®.
Learning Object ID: 2541 Estimated Time: 02 hr 00 min Description:Many people enjoy risk, as evidenced by the popularity of extreme sports. However, in business, risk is less welcome or enjoyable. The science of project management was founded, in large part, to manage risk and prevent it from negatively affecting project objectives, schedules and budgets. To help in this effort, A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) - Third Edition includes risk management as one of its nine knowledge areas and offers guidance on managing, identifying, analyzing, responding to and monitoring and controlling risk. In this course, you will learn qualitative and quantitative risk analysis techniques that will enable you to identify the probability of various levels of risk and to assess the impact of both negative and positive risks on objectives, budget and schedule. This course is aligned with A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) - Third Edition, published by the Project Management Institute (PMI®), Inc., 2004. Copyright and all rights reserved. Material from this publication has been reproduced with the permission of PMI®.
Learning Object ID: 17647 Estimated Time: 02 hr 30 min Description:Effective leadership is putting first things first. Effective management is discipline, carrying it out, says famous motivator and author, Stephen R. Covey. Six Sigma needs both effective leadership and management to deliver its promised results to an organization. It requires all Six Sigma leaders – Master Black Belts, Black Belts, and Green Belts – to effectively lead project teams to deliver their expected results. Understanding team building processes, tools, and role structures helps Six Sigma team members produce desired results and resolve negative team dynamics. In order to achieve this, disciplined schedules, costs, and deliverables are required when managing such projects. The management of Six Sigma projects involves developing and adhering to a project charter that reflects a shared understanding of project expectations, scope, deliverables, and schedule. This course will examine the fundamental project management tools used in a successful Six Sigma project. The course introduces the essential elements of a project charter, explains how project scope and metrics are developed, and gives an insight into the tools used to plan and implement improvement in a Six Sigma initiative. It also looks at team building, team roles, and team dynamics, and examines a variety of team tools that are commonly used in Six Sigma. Along with that, it identifies the most common communication techniques used in the workplace and the situations they are best suited to. This course is aligned to the ASQ Certified Six Sigma Green Belt certification exam and is designed to assist learners as part of their exam preparation.
Learning Object ID: 8915 Estimated Time: 02 hr 30 min Description:Effective leadership is putting first things first. Effective management is discipline, carrying it out, says famous motivator and author, Stephen R. Covey. Six Sigma needs both effective leadership and management to deliver its promised results to an organization. It requires all Six Sigma leaders – Master Black Belts, Black Belts, and Green Belts – to effectively lead project teams to deliver their expected results. Understanding team building processes, tools, and role structures helps Six Sigma team members produce desired results and resolve negative team dynamics. In order to achieve this, disciplined schedules, costs, and deliverables are required when managing such projects. The management of Six Sigma projects involves developing and adhering to a project charter that reflects a shared understanding of project expectations, scope, deliverables, and schedule. This course will examine the fundamental project management tools used in a successful Six Sigma project. The course introduces the essential elements of a project charter, explains how project scope and metrics are developed, and gives an insight into the tools used to plan and implement improvement in a Six Sigma initiative. It also looks at team building, team roles, and team dynamics, and examines a variety of team tools that are commonly used in Six Sigma. Along with that, it identifies the most common communication techniques used in the workplace and the situations they are best suited to. This course is aligned to the ASQ Certified Six Sigma Green Belt certification exam and is designed to assist learners as part of their exam preparation.
Learning Object ID: 2531 Estimated Time: 02 hr 00 min Description:A small change in schedule, resources, or scope can result in a major change in cost. The processes associated with Project Cost Management help Project Managers measure project performance and monitor cost variances. This course will highlight the importance of Project Cost Management to project performance. It will cover the inputs, tools and techniques, and outputs for the Cost Budgeting and Cost Control processes. Through interactive learning strategies and real-life scenarios, the learner will explore these processes and gain a better understanding of the Project Cost Management knowledge area. This course is aligned with A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) - Third Edition, published by the Project Management Institute (PMI®), Inc., 2004. Copyright and all rights reserved. Material from this publication has been reproduced with the permission of PMI®.
Learning Object ID: 2545 Estimated Time: 02 hr 30 min Description:How do you choose among potential sellers? Why is it important to manage the contract and relationship between the buyer and seller? What's the most effective way to complete and settle contracts? As you advance in this course, which focuses on seller selection, contract administration, and contract closure, you will obtain the skills and knowledge required to manage these areas of Project Procurement Management. This course is aligned with A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) - Third Edition, published by the Project Management Institute (PMI®), Inc., 2004. Copyright and all rights reserved. Material from this publication has been reproduced with the permission of PMI®.
Learning Object ID: 17621 Estimated Time: 00 hr 30 min Description:A project manager is the communication hub through whom all project information flows. Customers, suppliers, project team members, and company executives all rely on the project manager for up-to-date information that has been processed and tailored to meet their needs. While mastering the technical aspects of project management is essential, it is not enough to ensure success. The Communicating Effectively with Project Stakeholders Simulation is designed to provide opportunities to practice the communication skills required to effectively manage project stakeholders. This simulation comprises three scenarios and is based on the following two SkillSoft courses: Stakeholders and the Communications Management Plan (proj_12_a01_bs_enus) and Processes for Managing Project Communications (proj_12_a02_bs_enus).
Learning Object ID: 15591 TagsNULL Estimated Time: 00 hr 30 min Description:A project manager is the communication hub through whom all project information flows. Customers, suppliers, project team members, and company executives all rely on the project manager for up-to-date information that has been processed and tailored to meet their needs. While mastering the technical aspects of project management is essential, it is not enough to ensure success. The Communicating Effectively with Project Stakeholders Simulation is designed to provide opportunities to practice the communication skills required to effectively manage project stakeholders. This simulation comprises three scenarios and is based on the following two SkillSoft courses: Stakeholders and the Communications Management Plan (proj_12_a01_bs_enus) and Processes for Managing Project Communications (proj_12_a02_bs_enus).
Learning Object ID: 8905 Estimated Time: 02 hr 00 min Description:An essential element of management is the ability to effectively communicate with people. The capacity to successfully communicate in today's global economy is a pivotal element to the success of any organization. Managers need to be aware of emerging technologies and how these affect international communication. To meet an improvement project's specified goals and objectives, a manager must also effectively plan, estimate, and monitor the progress of the project and know what tools to apply. This course explores how communication takes place, and presents techniques and strategies for enhancing communication. It also examines how various project management tools can be used to analyze project risk, feasibility, and priority. The course is aligned with the Quality Management Division of the American Society for Quality's Certification Handbook, and is designed to assist learners as part of their preparation for the ASQ Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence certification exam.
Learning Object ID: 2538 Estimated Time: 02 hr 30 min Description:Any project requires good communications to manage day-to-day activities and ensure success of the project. Project managers need to understand the processes of Project Communications Management, and how those processes help promote success and resolve differences among project stakeholders. Project managers need to plan out a strategy to ensure that needed information is gathered and produced efficiently. Finally, project managers are responsible for distributing information to all stakeholders--internal and external--concerning all project management Knowledge Areas. In this course, learners will be given an overview of project Communications Planning and Information Distribution. They'll be introduced to best practices outlined in the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) -Third Edition, published by the Project Management Institute (PMI®), Inc. Specifically, learners will be introduced to Project Communications Management, communication barriers, and techniques for improving communications in a given business scenario. They'll learn how the inputs to Communications Planning are used and they'll explore examples of tools and techniques for Communications Planning. They'll learn about the purpose of the Communications Management Plan in the context of project communications. Finally, learners will learn about various dimensions of communications. They will learn how the input to Information Distribution is used, they'll be introduced to examples of tools and techniques for Information Distribution, they'll use an Information Distribution method appropriately in a given scenario, and they'll learn about examples of outputs of Information Distribution. This course provides a foundational knowledge base reflecting the most up-to-date project management information so learners can effectively put principles to work at their own organizations. This course will assist in preparing the learner for the PMP® Certification Exam. This course is aligned with A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) - Third Edition, published by the Project Management Institute (PMI®), Inc., 2004. Copyright and all rights reserved. Material from this publication has been reproduced with the permission of PMI®.
Learning Object ID: 17605 Estimated Time: 01 hr 30 min Description:Establishing the budget for a project is a vital process in project management, yet it means nothing if the budget is not adhered to. Controlling project cost is critical to meeting a project's budget targets, and monitoring cost performance can mean the difference between the success and failure of a project.
This course provides an overview of the Control Costs process. It introduces the best practices outlined in A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) - Fourth Edition, published by the Project Management Institute (PMI®). Specifically, the course examines the inputs, tools and techniques, and outputs of the Control Costs process. In terms of the tools and techniques, it shows how to monitor cost performance through earned value management (EVM), forecasting, and other techniques such as to-complete performance index (TCPI). It also demonstrates how to calculate planned value, earned value, actual cost, schedule and cost variance, and schedule-performance and cost-performance indices. This course provides a foundational knowledge base reflecting the most up-to-date project management information so learners can effectively put principles to work at their own organizations. This course will assist in preparing the learner for the PMBOK® Guide certification exam. This course is aligned with the PMBOK® Guide - Fourth Edition, published by PMI®, Inc., 2008. Copyright and all rights reserved. Material from this publication has been reproduced with the permission of PMI®.
Learning Object ID: 15201 TagsNULL Estimated Time: 01 hr 30 min Description:Establishing the budget for a project is a vital process in project management, yet it means nothing if the budget is not adhered to. Controlling project cost is critical to meeting a project's budget targets, and monitoring cost performance can mean the difference between the success and failure of a project.
Learning Object ID: 2527 Estimated Time: 02 hr 00 min Description:Projects can quickly get out of control if the appropriate actions aren't taken initially. Scope management plays a key role by helping to define and maintain the boundaries of the project throughout the project life cycle. This course will highlight the importance of project scope management to project performance. Through interactive learning strategies and real-life scenarios, the learner will explore these concepts and gain a better understanding of the project management processes of the Scope Management knowledge area. This course will cover the project inputs, tools and techniques, and outputs of the scope management processes that deal with creating work breakdown structures, accepting the completed project scope, and controlling changes to the scope of the project. This course is aligned with A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) - Third Edition, published by the Project Management Institute (PMI®), Inc., 2004. Copyright and all rights reserved. Material from this publication has been reproduced with the permission of PMI®.
Learning Object ID: 14541 Estimated Time: 02 hr 00 min Description:In a project management system, processes are the foundation upon which every other aspect of the system stands. Processes provide a controlling structure for establishing what to do and when to do it. The bulk of the project work is done during the stage-related processes, when Stage Plans are implemented and product creation and delivery is monitored, controlled and reported. Once the final product is signed off and delivered to the customer, there are also specific processes around ensuring the project comes to a complete and controlled close. This course provides an overview of the PRINCE2 processes related to controlling, managing and closing a project. PRINCE2 is recognised as an international standard for process-based project management. It is the standard method for project management in the UK . This course is designed to assist learners in preparation for the PRINCE2 Foundation certification exam objectives under the Processes area, covering four of the eight processes, namely Controlling a Stage, Managing Stage Boundaries, Managing Product Delivery and Closing a Project. The contents of this course, including all text and graphics, have been created solely by, or on behalf of, SkillSoft PLC. SkillSoft makes no claim to any endorsement of this work by The Office of Government Commerce or any third party.
Learning Object ID: 15295 TagsNULL Estimated Time: 02 hr 00 min Description:As a project manager, you will inevitably be called upon to address ethical dilemmas. The type and complexity of these dilemmas can vary significantly from balancing the competing interests of stakeholders to adhering to conflicting legal, multi-cultural, and multi-national rules, regulations, and requirements. Addressing these issues is much more complex than simply deciding what is right and what is wrong. In an increasingly global network, project managers must proactively seek to understand cultural diversity, and how to work successfully with multi-national teams. Sensitivity to other groups, their social customs, and their means of doing business is key to success. Often, project managers will need to weigh all competing interests fairly and objectively in order to make the ethical decision that will have the most far-reaching benefits.
In this course, learners will explore the values underlying ethical decisions and behaviors as outlined in the PMI® Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. For each value, learners will be introduced to the integrity aspired to, as well as the mandatory conduct demanded of project managers to effectively manage projects and further promote project management as a profession. Topics covered include the behaviors that align with the core values of responsibility, respect, honesty, and fairness; how to integrate ethics into your project environments; and how to resolve ethical dilemmas. The course provides a foundational knowledge base reflecting the most up-to-date project management information so learners can effectively put principles to work at their own organizations. This course will assist in preparing the learner for the PMBOK® certification exam.
This course is aligned with A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) – Fourth Edition, published by the Project Management Institute (PMI®), Inc., 2008. Copyright and all rights reserved. Material from this publication has been reproduced with the permission of PMI®.
Learning Object ID: 17619 Estimated Time: 02 hr 00 min Description:As a project manager, you will inevitably be called upon to address ethical dilemmas. The type and complexity of these dilemmas can vary significantly from balancing the competing interests of stakeholders to adhering to conflicting legal, multi-cultural, and multi-national rules, regulations, and requirements. Addressing these issues is much more complex than simply deciding what is right and what is wrong. In an increasingly global network, project managers must proactively seek to understand cultural diversity, and how to work successfully with multi-national teams. Sensitivity to other groups, their social customs, and their means of doing business is key to success. Often, project managers will need to weigh all competing interests fairly and objectively in order to make the ethical decision that will have the most far-reaching benefits.
Learning Object ID: 17599 Estimated Time: 01 hr 30 min Description:Successful projects can only happen with the implementation of planning techniques that define project objectives in sufficient detail. Projects can quickly get out of control if the appropriate actions aren't taken initially. A project's work breakdown structure (WBS) provides the foundation for defining work as it relates to the project objectives and establishes the structure for managing the work to completion. This course will highlight the importance of the WBS and how it relates to the overall success of a project. Through interactive learning strategies and real-life scenarios, the learner will explore these concepts and gain a better understanding of the project management processes related to creating and verifying a work breakdown structure. This course will cover the project inputs, tools and techniques, and outputs of the Create Work Breakdown Structure process, the third process in the Project Scope Management knowledge area.
This course is aligned with A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) - Fourth Edition, published by the Project Management Institute (PMI®), Inc., 2008. Copyright and all rights reserved. Material from this publication has been reproduced with the permission of PMI®.
Learning Object ID: 14550 Estimated Time: 01 hr 30 min Description:Successful projects can only happen with the implementation of planning techniques that define project objectives in sufficient detail. Projects can quickly get out of control if the appropriate actions aren't taken initially. A project's work breakdown structure (WBS) provides the foundation for defining work as it relates to the project objectives and establishes the structure for managing the work to completion. This course will highlight the importance of the WBS and how it relates to the overall success of a project. Through interactive learning strategies and real-life scenarios, the learner will explore these concepts and gain a better understanding of the project management processes related to creating and verifying a work breakdown structure. This course will cover the project inputs, tools and techniques, and outputs of the Create Work Breakdown Structure process, the third process in the Project Scope Management knowledge area.
Learning Object ID: 541 Estimated Time: 04 hr 00 min Description:To discuss the basics of project management and to begin creating a new project using Project Professional 2003
Learning Object ID: 8850 Estimated Time: 03 hr 30 min Description:In the corporate world, the project is a fundamental building block. Each project in which a company engages is unique, and fulfills an individual or corporate goal. And each project comprises a series of related tasks that culminate in a project deliverable. Microsoft Office Project 2007 is a comprehensive tool for project managers responsible for the overall design of projects, enabling them to engage in task assignment and management, resource allocation, costs, and budget control in an easy and intuitive way. Microsoft Office Project 2007 also enables the collection and sharing of project progress information with a project's team members and stakeholders. This course outlines the basics of project management, and shows how to create – and manage – a new project using Microsoft Office Project 2007.
Learning Object ID: 14551 Estimated Time: 02 hr 00 min Description:Properly defining and sequencing project activities allow a project manager to answer two basic scheduling questions – What activities are required to develop the end product? And how should the activities be sequenced for optimal results? The first step in developing a reliable project schedule is identifying project activities and their interrelationships. This course covers defining and sequencing project activities in the project management discipline, and introduces best practices outlined in A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) – Fourth Edition, published by the Project Management Institute (PMI®). Specifically, learners will be provided with an overview of the Project Time Management knowledge area and the interrelation with the process groups. The course also explores project activities and activity attributes, and the method of developing network diagrams, including dependency determination and applying leads and lags.
This course provides a foundational knowledge base reflecting the most up-to-date project management information so learners can effectively put principles to work in their own organizations. This course will assist in preparing the learner for the PMBOK® certification exam.
This course is aligned with the PMBOK® Guide – Fourth Edition, published by PMI®, Inc., 2008. Copyright and all rights reserved. Material from this publication has been reproduced with the permission of PMI®.
Learning Object ID: 17601 Estimated Time: 02 hr 00 min Description:Properly defining and sequencing project activities allow a project manager to answer two basic scheduling questions – What activities are required to develop the end product? And how should the activities be sequenced for optimal results? The first step in developing a reliable project schedule is identifying project activities and their interrelationships. This course covers defining and sequencing project activities in the project management discipline, and introduces best practices outlined in A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) – Fourth Edition, published by the Project Management Institute (PMI®). Specifically, learners will be provided with an overview of the Project Time Management knowledge area and the interrelation with the process groups. The course also explores project activities and activity attributes, and the method of developing network diagrams, including dependency determination and applying leads and lags.
Learning Object ID: 17603 Estimated Time: 02 hr 00 min Description:The project schedule is critical to project management. It determines the planned start and finish dates for project activities and milestones. It also confirms which activities are dependent on others, therefore enabling the project manager to prioritize the order in which activities are completed. Developing the project schedule is an ongoing process throughout the project lifecycle, as there are many factors that can either accelerate or delay deliverables in a project. It is essential in successful project management to be able to quickly identify possible impacts, evaluate the effect on all project activities, and adjust the project activities as required to minimize risk.
This course covers developing and controlling the project schedule in the project management discipline, and introduces best practices outlined in A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) – Fourth Edition, published by the Project Management Institute (PMI®). Specifically, learners will learn how to analyze activity sequences, durations, and resource and schedule constraints, to create the project schedule. Learners will also calculate the critical path using a forward and backward pass, calculate the float, and calculate the critical chain in order to monitor progress and make changes to the project schedule as required. This course provides a foundational knowledge base reflecting the most up-to-date project management information. It will enable learners to effectively put principles to work in their own organizations, and assist in preparing them for the PMBOK® Guide certification exam.
Learning Object ID: 15309 TagsNULL Estimated Time: 02 hr 00 min Description:The project schedule is critical to project management. It determines the planned start and finish dates for project activities and milestones. It also confirms which activities are dependent on others, therefore enabling the project manager to prioritize the order in which activities are completed. Developing the project schedule is an ongoing process throughout the project lifecycle, as there are many factors that can either accelerate or delay deliverables in a project. It is essential in successful project management to be able to quickly identify possible impacts, evaluate the effect on all project activities, and adjust the project activities as required to minimize risk.
Learning Object ID: 14392 Estimated Time: 01 hr 30 min Description:A project charter is the most important document used to initiate and manage a Six Sigma project, and it is treated as an informal contract between an organization and the Six Sigma team. The project charter articulates the problem that the Six Sigma team is going to work on, and the project's scope, goals, and objectives in very clear, specific, and measurable terms. As part of the process of developing a project charter, some performance measures such as cost, revenue, and schedule are identified and developed. Once the project is kicked off, its progress is measured and tracked on a continuous basis using popular project management tools, such as schedules, Gantt charts, and tollgate reviews.This course deals with the key issues in developing project charters and tracking a Six Sigma project. It takes you through some of the key elements of a Six Sigma project charter, including the problem statement and the project's scope, goals, and objectives. It also explains project performance measures and how to review the performance of a Six Sigma project using these measures. In addition, the course introduces common tools for tracking a project's progress and deliverables. This course is aligned with the ASQ Certified Six Sigma Black Belt certification exam and is designed to assist learners as part of their exam preparation. It builds on foundational knowledge that is taught in SkillSoft's ASQ-aligned Green Belt curriculum.
