1.1 What is Project Management?

  – Definition and purpose of project management.

  – The role of a Project Manager (PM) in organizations.

  – Key concepts: Project scope, time, cost, and quality.

1.2 Project Management Life Cycle

  – Phases of project management: Initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closure.

  – Differences between projects and operations.

  – Importance of aligning projects with business goals.

1.3 Project Manager’s Responsibilities and Skills

  – Key responsibilities of a PM.

  – Essential skills: Leadership, communication, problem-solving, and time management.

  – Understanding the challenges of managing projects in various industries.

2.1 Defining a Project

  – Identifying project goals, objectives, and deliverables.

  – Creating a project charter.

  – Engaging stakeholders in the initiation phase.

2.2 Identifying Stakeholders

  – Understanding stakeholder roles and expectations.

  – Techniques for stakeholder identification and analysis (RACI Matrix, stakeholder mapping).

  – Engaging stakeholders early and managing relationships.

2.3 Project Feasibility and Risk Assessment

  – Conducting a feasibility study.

  – Performing a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats).

  – Identifying potential risks and defining risk management strategies.

3.1 Defining the Project Scope

  – Writing a clear and concise project scope statement.

  – Creating the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS).

  – Using project scope to guide the project team and prevent scope creep.

3.2 Developing a Project Schedule

  – Breaking down activities and milestones using the WBS.

  – Estimating time and resources for tasks.

  – Techniques for scheduling: Gantt charts, Critical Path Method (CPM), Program Evaluation Review Technique (PERT).

3.3 Resource Planning and Budgeting

  – Allocating resources: human, financial, and material.

  – Creating a project budget and cost baseline.

  – Managing resource constraints and optimizing resource allocation.

3.4 Case Study: Creating a Project Plan

  – Developing a comprehensive project plan for a sample project.

  – Presenting the plan to stakeholders and obtaining approval.

4.1 Identifying Project Risks

  – Types of project risks: technical, financial, operational, and external.

  – Techniques for risk identification: Brainstorming, Delphi technique, checklists.

4.2 Risk Assessment and Prioritization

  – Risk assessment matrices: Probability vs. impact.

  – Risk prioritization techniques (e.g., quantitative vs. qualitative analysis).

  – Establishing risk tolerance levels with stakeholders.

4.3 Mitigation Strategies and Contingency Planning

  – Developing risk mitigation strategies.

  – Creating contingency and fallback plans.

  – Monitoring risks throughout the project lifecycle.

4.4 Risk Management Case Study

  – Applying risk management techniques to a real-world project scenario.

5.1 Leading and Managing the Project Team

  – Forming and developing project teams.

  – Leadership styles and their impact on team performance.

  – Conflict resolution and team motivation techniques.

5.2 Managing Project Communication

  – Creating a communication plan.

  – Tools for communication: email, meetings, reports, collaboration software (e.g., Slack, MS Teams).

  – Ensuring effective communication with stakeholders.

5.3 Project Procurement Management

  – Understanding procurement processes.

  – Managing contracts and vendor relationships.

  – Monitoring procurement activities to ensure timely delivery of resources.

5.4 Case Study: Project Execution Challenges

  – Solving real-world project execution problems.

  – Adjusting project plans based on execution-phase issues.

6.1 Tracking Project Performance

  – Key performance indicators (KPIs) for project tracking.

  – Tools for monitoring project performance (e.g., Earned Value Management (EVM), dashboards).

  – Comparing actual performance against the project baseline.

6.2 Change Control and Scope Management

  – Managing change requests and assessing their impact.

  – Implementing a formal change control process.

  – Techniques to prevent and control scope creep.

6.3 Quality Assurance and Control

  – Establishing quality standards and performance metrics.

  – Using tools like Six Sigma, Lean, and Total Quality Management (TQM).

  – Conducting quality audits and inspections.

6.4 Case Study: Managing Changes and Controlling Scope

  – Applying change control processes to a project and evaluating scope adjustments.

  – 7.1 Introduction to Agile Methodology

  – Understanding Agile principles and values.

  – Key differences between Agile and Waterfall project management.

7.2 Agile Frameworks and Practices

  – Overview of Scrum, Kanban, and Lean.

  – The role of a Project Manager in Agile environments.

  – Agile ceremonies: Daily standups, sprint planning, sprint reviews, and retrospectives.

7.3 Agile Tools and Techniques

  – Managing product backlogs, user stories, and sprints.

  – Using Agile tools like JIRA, Trello, and Asana.

  – Managing Agile teams and ensuring adaptability.

7.4 Agile Case Study: Managing an Agile Project

  – Implementing Agile techniques to manage a dynamic project.

  – Solving issues arising from changing requirements and priorities.

8.1 Leadership in Project Management

  – Theories of leadership (transformational, transactional, servant leadership).

  – Adapting leadership styles to project situations.

  – Empowering and motivating teams for better performance.

8.2 Conflict Management and Negotiation

  – Identifying the sources of conflict in teams.

  – Techniques for managing conflict: Negotiation, mediation, compromise.

  – Negotiation strategies with stakeholders and vendors.

8.3 Stakeholder Management and Engagement

  – Building strong relationships with stakeholders.

  – Techniques for managing difficult stakeholders.

  – Ensuring consistent stakeholder engagement and satisfaction.

9.1 Closing Out a Project

  – Formal project closure process.

  – Conducting final project reviews and assessments.

  – Documenting lessons learned and project successes.

9.2 Handing Over Deliverables

  – Ensuring project deliverables meet agreed-upon standards.

  – Transitioning deliverables to the operations team or end-users.

  – Obtaining final stakeholder sign-off.

9.3 Post-Project Evaluation

  – Conducting post-mortem analysis.

  – Identifying opportunities for process improvement.

  – Preparing for future projects by learning from past challenges.

10.1 Capstone Project: Managing an End-to-End Project

  – Managing a simulated or real-world project from initiation to closure.

  – Applying project management tools and techniques learned throughout the course.

  – Presenting the project to peers and stakeholders for feedback.

10.2 Resume Writing and Interview Preparation

  – Crafting a project manager resume tailored to job roles.

  – Preparing for project management interview questions (behavioral and technical).

  – Mock interviews focusing on leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.