Introductory
Printer-friendly versionProject Scheduling Fundamentals
A web-based introductory project management course that presents key concepts, basic terminology, and essential ideas for planning and scheduling your projects. Estimated duration: 3-4 hours.
Project Scheduling Fundamentals is our popular introductory project management class. No pontification here: just key concepts, basic terminology, and essential ideas for planning and scheduling your projects. And, excellent preparation for using software scheduling tools!
Project Scheduling Fundamentals will introduce you to the basics of project management and scheduling. It puts the power of project management tools and concepts in your hands so that you can experience immediate results in working with your projects.
On completion of this course, you will have a clear understanding of how a project evolves. You will write a clear Project Definition and learn how to control the scope of your project. You will organize the tasks of your project into a Work Breakdown Structure and then create a model of your project using the Gantt chart. You will understand the intricacies of applying resources to your project as well as how to establish a baseline plan. This course will help you meet your project deadlines and much more.
3-4 hours | 3 PDUs
- Basic Project Management Theory
- Best Practices for Project Scheduling
- How to Make Better Use of Project Management Software
Originally developed for Sun Microsystems, Project Scheduling Fundamentals uses voice narration and animation to introduce you to the basics of project management and scheduling. Project Scheduling Fundamentals puts the power of project management tools and concepts in your hands so that you can experience immediate results in working with your projects.
You will learn how to:- Write a clear Project Definition
- Control the Scope of your project
- Evaluate Trade-offs between time, scope, and budget
- Use a Gantt Chart to model the project
- Develop a Work Breakdown Structure
- Estimate Task Durations
- Understand Critical Path analysis
- Analyze Resource Loading
- Set Baselines and Manage Variance
- Define Update & Reporting Procedures
- Meet your Deadlines
- And much, much more!
Many people take Project Scheduling Fundamentals in preparation for using project scheduling software. After completing this class most students find themselves fully prepared to move forward with learning the software tools-rather than struggling with both the project scheduling concepts and the software tools at the same time.
Individual user registrations for Project Scheduling Fundamentals are $225 for a 90-day license key. Substantial discounts are available for volume purchases and site licenses. To register, or for more information, click here or call us at 613-592-5050 or 1-877-SOMOS-PM.
Click here for information on system requirements.
Planning and Scheduling Using MS Project
A two-day course that takes attendees through the entire process of developing a work breakdown structure, building a schedule, adding and leveling resources, and producing a budget. The course alternates between theory and practical implementation throughout the two days.
In response to many requests from our customers, SOMOS has created Planning and Scheduling Using MS Project. This course is ideal for new project managers who are looking for practical, hands-on training on building and maintaining MS Project schedules for their projects.
We took the planning and scheduling essentials from our flagship course Managing Projects Across the Organization and combined this with the hands-on scheduling tool training from our popular Introduction to MS Project course.
Attendees are taken through the entire process of developing a Work Breakdown Structure, building a Schedule, adding and leveling Resources, and producing a Budget. The course outline alternates between theory and practical implementation throughout the two days.
On completion of this course, students will have a clear understanding of how to plan and develop a Microsoft schedule for a project.
Planning and Scheduling Using MS Project will provide them with both an understanding of the rationale and methodology and the practical skills for better planning. They will have developed a project schedule for a sample project.
2 days | 14 PDUs
- Introduction
- Planning Approach
- The Role of the Scheduling Tool
- Setting up MS Project
- Developing the Work Breakdown Structure
- Entering the Activities
- Entering Precedences
- The Critical Path
- Refining the Schedule
- Adding Resources
- Leveling Resources
- Refining the Schedule
- Adding Fixed and Variable Costs
- Developing the Budget
- Looking at the Cost Baseline
- Setting the Baseline
- Exporting from MS Project
- Basic Reports
SOMOS experience has shown the optimal class size to be between 10 and 14 students. This enables adequate interaction between the participants and the instructor and time to perform the desktop work with MS Project.
- Course notes
- Exercise booklet
- MS Project Quick Reference Guide
- Managers who want a practical course in scheduling, and who do not require PMP certification
- Project Managers who must prepare their own MS Project Schedules
- New managers with limited project management experience
None
PRINCE2 Foundation Course Description
A three-day course that provides Project Managers with a practical road map from conception to close for all types of projects and a framework to deliver projects that benefit stakeholders, the business, and the bottom line.
PRINCE2® (Projects in Controlled Environments) is a widely used international standard for Project Management that navigates you through all the essentials for running a successful project. It builds on the definitions and structure of PM knowledge and defines a series of processes, components, and techniques that can be applied managing any size or subject of project.
It provides project managers with a practical road map from conception to close for all types of projects and a framework to deliver projects that benefit stakeholders, the business, and the bottom line.
The PRINCE2 Foundation course is a 3-day course that provides participants with a general understanding of the key components and processes of PRINCE2 in order to work as part of a PRINCE 2 project team. It is a necessary building block for the PRINCE2 Practitioner course and the two courses are typically taken together.
On completion of this course, participants will achieve a detailed and practical understanding of the PRINCE2 project management method. Participants will learn how to use PRINCE2 for projects of all sizes and types, avoiding unnecessary overheads and gaining maximum benefit.
Participants will learn the PRINCE2 project management framework including:
- 7 PRINCE2 Processes
- Starting Up a Project
- Initiating a Project
- Directing a Project
- Controlling a Stage
- Managing a Stage Boundary
- Managing Product Delivery
- Closing a Project
- 7 PRINCE2 Themes
- Business Case
- Organization
- Quality
- Plans
- Risk
- Change
- Progress
- 7 PRINCE2 Principles
- Continued Business Justification
- Learn from Experience
- Defined Roles and Responsibilities
- Manage by Stages
- Manage by Exception
- Focus on Products
- Tailor to Suit the Project Environment
Attendees will receive
- PRINCE2 Foundation Certificate
3 days | 39 PDUs
Day1
- Course Introduction
- Overview of PRINCE2 & Principles
- Organization
- Starting up a Project
- Initiating a Project
- The Business Case
- Homework
Day 2
- Review of Day 1
- Quality
- Plans and Product Based Planning
- Risk
- Directing a Project & Progress
- Controlling a Stage & Progress
- Homework - including practice exams
Day 3
- Review of Day 2
- Change
- Managing Product Delivery
- Managing a Stage Boundary
- Closing a Project
- PRINCE2 Foundation Exam
Limited to 14 students
- Accredited PRINCE2 course materials designed to help students understand the PRINCE2 method in depth
- PRINCE2 manual: "Managing Successful Projects"
- Team Members
- Team Managers
- Project Support Staff
- Project Executives
- Anyone who needs to operate confidently in a PRINCE2 environment
- Some experience of Project Management is useful
- Participants will be required to complete the pre-course reading provided
This course is offered publicly to individuals and in-house to groups of 8 to 14.
Attendees on this course are eligible to receive 39 PDUs towards their PMI certification or renewal.
If you would like to discuss your organization's management development needs with a SOMOS account executive, please click here or call 613-592-5050 x305.
Refer to course code 3PR201 - PRINCE2 Foundation.
*PRINCE2 is a trademark of the UK Office of Government Commerce.
Introduction to Management for Technical Professionals
A two-day training course that introduces the topics of personal time management, personal productivity management, management of others, and basic interpersonal skills for front line managers.
SOMOS ' Introduction to Management for Technical Professionals course is a 2-day training course that introduces the topics of personal time management, personal productivity management, management of others, and basic interpersonal skills for front line managers who need to deliver consistent results on a daily basis.
These two one-day sessions will provide the attendees with an understanding of some key fundamentals of management and leadership. In the first session, each person will gain a better understanding of his or her own personal styles and their natural work habits, and will identify some opportunities for improving their own efficiency. Participants will then be introduced to the basic roles, responsibilities, and process of management. In the second session, the attendees will examine these questions in the context of managing others. Participants will learn and practice essential management skills such as effective listening, goal setting, planning, and managing performance.
2 days | 14 PDUs
Day 1 - Managing Yourself
- Understanding Yourself
- Personal Style
- Preferences
- Personal Time Management and Productivity
- Understanding Management
- The Manager's Role
- Manager's Responsibilities
- The Process of Management
- Management vs. Leadership
Day 2 - Managing Others
- Understanding Others
- Effective Listening
- Goal Setting and Planning
- Organizational, Team, and Individual Goals
- Developing Work Plans
- Performance Management
- Measuring Performance
- Effective Feedback
SOMOS experience has shown the optimal class size to be between 14 and 20 students. This enables proper interaction between the participants and the instructor.
Before each session, attendees will be required to complete worksheets or questionnaires for review in class. This will reinforce the learning and will increase participants self-awareness.
Attendees will be given course notes once in class sessions begin.
- New Managers with limited experience managing staff.
- Managers new to the organization with staff responsibility.
- Managers who want a practical management course, but who do not require PMP certification.
None
If you would like to discuss your organization's management development needs with a SOMOS account executive, please click here or call 613-599-5050 x229.
Refer to course code 2MTP06-Introduction to Management for Technical Professionals.
Understanding and Thriving with Projects
A one-day overview for administrators and non-project staff who need to interact with projects and project managers.
Understanding and Thriving with Projects is an introduction to project management, focusing on how projects fit into organizations. This course is a first introduction to projects, primarily for non-managers. You will participate in a number of exercises designed to highlight your roles and responsibilities with regard to projects within your own organization. If you contribute to projects but are not responsible for project planning or management, then this course will answer key questions about the emerging profession of project management.
During the course, participants will discuss the activities required to initiate and plan, execute and control, and close-out a project. They will examine the use of reports to help them manage and communicate information about their projects. They will develop a plan for a small project using the provided outlines for the basic planning documents.
1 day | 7 PDUs
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Introduction
-
Managing in Organizations
-
Project Management Basics
-
Using Project Management
-
Project Management Body of Knowledge
-
Conclusions & Review
SOMOS experience has shown the optimal class size to be between 14 and 20 students. This enables proper interaction between the participants and the instructor.
-
Course notes
-
Exercise booklet
-
Functional staff
-
People who are not currently interested in a career in project management
-
People who contribute to or support projects
None
This course is offered to groups of 15 or more .
If you would like to discuss your organization's management development needs with a SOMOS account executive, please click here or call 613-592-5050 x229.
Refer to course code 1UTP00 - Understanding and Thriving with Projects
PMP® Exam Preparation
This two-day introductory course covers the nine basic knowledge areas of project management, as well as key concepts, tools, and techniques applied in managing projects. The course also prepares participants wishing to take the Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification examination of the Project Management Institute (PMI®).
The PMP® Exam Preparation course is an introductory course to project management, as well as the overview course within the SOMOS series of professional project management training courses. It is structured in accordance with the definition of the PMBOK® defined by the Project Management Institute (PMI®). It covers the nine basic areas of knowledge encompassed in project management: namely, project scope, time, cost, quality, human resources, communications, risk, procurement, and project integration. Each of these subject areas is presented in a 30-to-120 minute segment, with examples, illustrations, and discussions.
The main purpose of the course is to familiarize the participants with project management, as well as the key concepts, tools, and techniques applied in managing projects. Participants will understand the framework for continuous learning in the project management profession. As well, the course also prepares those participants wishing to take the Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification examination of the Project Management Institute (PMI®).
2 days | 14 PDUs
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Introduction
-
The Project Management Framework
-
Project Quality Management
-
Project Scope Management
-
Project Time Management
-
Human Resources Management
-
Cost Management
-
Communications Management
-
Risk Management
-
Procurement Management
-
Integration Management
SOMOS experience has shown the optimal class size to be between 14 and 20 students. This enables proper interaction between the participants and the instructor.
-
Course notes
- Intermediate and senior technical personnel
- Technical team leaders, managers
- Entry level project managers
- Project coordinators
- Personnel preparing for the PMP® examination
None
*We recommend that participants obtain a copy of 'A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge' available from the PMI®.
This course is offered to groups of 15 or more .
If you would like to discuss your organization's management development needs with a SOMOS account executive, please click here or call 613-592-5050 x229.
Refer to course code 2PMP00 - PMP® Exam Preparation.
Introduction to MS Project
A one-day introduction to applying MS Project as taught in Managing Projects Across the Organization.
The Introduction to MS Project workshop provides attendees the basic skills to succeed using the industry-standard scheduling tool Microsoft Project. Using Microsoft Project to Manage Projects (Introduction) is an ideal follow-on to the SOMOS introductory project management course Managing Projects Across the Organization. The workshop uses Microsoft Project as a tool to develop a project schedule according to the methodology presented in Managing Projects Across the Organization. Each attendee applies the principles and structure from the knowledge course to develop a Microsoft Project schedule for a project relevant to their work environment. Participants will take away project scheduling tools and templates that can be applied to their own projects.
Attendees of this workshop will learn the basics of the industry-standard scheduling tool Microsoft Project. They will learn the program application, use, structure, syntax, as well as hints, techniques, limitations, and work-arounds.
1 day | 7 PDUs
Planning Projects
- Introduction to MS Project
- The Structure of MS Project
- Navigating MS Project
- Views
- Help Features
- Menu Bar
- Tool Bar
- Tabular Window
- Graphic Window
- Split Window
Defining the Work
- Basic Set-up
- Option Set-up
- Building the WBS
- Calendar
Developing the Gantt Chart & Network Diagram
- Activities
- Milestones
- Precedences
- Durations
- Critical Path
Calculating the Schedule
Assigning the Resources
- Optimizing the Schedule
- Resource - Time Trade-offs
Developing the Budget
Setting the Baseline
Other Hints and Techniques
- Size limitations
Printing and Formatting
The class size is limited to a maximum of 10 students as this is a hands-on workshop.
Course participants will be provided with the following course materials:
- Course notes
- Exercise booklet
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New Project Managers
-
New Schedulers
-
Functional staff who need project management tool knowledge
-
Recent attendees of Managing Projects Across the Organization
Basic scheduling experience or an introductory project management course is recommended.
Managing Projects Across the Organization
A two-day course to introduce learners to the basics of Project Management concepts, principles, and techniques.
Managing Projects Across the Organization is a course to help you manage without a full-time team. The focus of this course is on getting the job done while juggling technology, management demands, multiple stakeholders, and customer requirements. You will learn essential project management concepts and practical skills, and become familiar with immediately applicable tools through the extensive exercises in this course. If managing projects is only one of your many hats, then this course is for you.
On completion of this course, students will have a clear understanding of how to complete projects without a full-time project team. They will be equipped with the knowledge, tools and techniques required to deal with the issues which come from being responsible for managing projects when they do not have line authority. Using the model of how a typical project evolves, students will follow its development from initiation and planning through control, execution and closure. They will investigate the relationships among these processes and build their skills through group discussion and extensive exercises. These exercises will lead them through the critical steps in project management while providing them with the opportunity to develop methods that will be immediately applicable to their own projects.
2 days | 14 PDUs
Day 1
- Introduction
- Project Management Fundamentals
- Starting Projects
- Planning Approach
- Defining the Work
- Defining the Schedule
Day 2
- Planning
- Resource Planning
- Cost Planning
- Setting the Baseline
- Executing & Controlling Projects
- Cost, Schedule and Scope Monitoring
- Team Development
- Closing the Project
SOMOS experience has shown the optimal class size to be between 14 and 20 students. This enables proper interaction between the participants and the instructor.
Course participants will be provided with the following course materials:
- Course notes
- Exercise booklet
- Managers who want a practical course in project management, but who do not require PMP certification
- Managers who have to get some or all of their project objectives done through others
- New managers with limited project management experience
None
This course is offered to groups of 15 or more.
If you would like to discuss your organization's management development needs with a SOMOS account executive, please click here or call 613-592-5050 x229.
Refer to course code 2PAO00 - Managing Projects Across the Organization