Course information

This masterclass introduces participants to the foundational principles, tools and behaviours required to successfully initiate, plan, deliver, monitor and close projects of varying size and complexity.

Drawing on contemporary project management practices, including the newly released PMBOK® Edition 8 Guide and the use of artificial intelligence in project management, the course blends technical skills, stakeholder engagement, leadership capability and risk-based thinking to help participants confidently manage work in dynamic organisational environments.

Over a six-week period, you will explore the core performance areas of governance, scope, schedule, finance, resources, stakeholders and risk through real examples, templates and exercises. The course adopts a structured project lifecycle approach, integrates agile concepts without over-emphasising methodology, and provides practical tools for applying project management immediately in the workplace.

The course is designed for professionals who are responsible for leading or contributing to projects and who wish to increase their capability, build confidence and contribute more effectively within their organisation.

Aims

The aim of this course is to provide participants with the knowledge, skills and confidence to plan, execute, monitor and close projects using modern project management approaches. By applying the wide range of tools and techniques presented in this course, you will be able to add value to your team and better contribute to the strategic objectives of your organisation.

Outcomes

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• explain key project management terms and concepts, including project lifecycles, focus areas and performance domains
• initiate and plan a project using structured tools such as charters, scope statements, WBSs, schedules and budgets
• identify and engage stakeholders effectively and develop appropriate communications
• develop a project schedule, determine dependencies and identify the critical path
• apply estimation, budgeting, financial planning and earned value concepts appropriate to project needs
• build and lead a project team and apply leadership approaches appropriate to project context
• identify, analyse and manage project risks using a structured approach
• use tools and templates to support scoping, scheduling, budgeting and risk management
• monitor and control scope, schedule, costs, quality and risk throughout the project
• close a project effectively, including conducting lessons learned and post-implementation reviews
• demonstrate confidence in leading small to medium projects using a structured and repeatable approach.

Content

The course will cover the following 6 modules over consecutive weeks:

Module 1: Introduction to project management

• Definition and characteristics of a project
• The project environment (portfolios, programs, projects and BAU)
• Understanding project management and how it drives organisational success
• Principles of project management and value-based delivery
• Strategic alignment and benefits orientation
• Project lifecycles and delivery approaches (traditional, hybrid, agile)
• Governance, oversight and decision-making
• Governance processes across the project focus areas
• Project management roles and responsibilities
• Using AI to support project planning, reporting and analysis

Module 2: Scope and stakeholders

• Identifying stakeholders and analysing influence, interest and expectations
• Defining scope: requirements, deliverables and boundaries
• Eliciting and analysing stakeholder needs
• Developing the project scope statement and acceptance criteria
• Creating the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and scope structure
• Planning stakeholder engagement and communications strategies
• Monitoring and controlling scope; avoiding scope creep
• Monitoring stakeholder engagement and communications
• Applying integrated change control for scope changes

Module 3: Schedule

• Planning schedule management
• Developing the project schedule using sequencing, dependencies and milestones
• Creating network diagrams and identifying the critical path
• Applying estimation techniques (expert judgement, three-point, bottom-up etc.)
• Understanding and managing schedule constraints and assumptions
• Monitoring and controlling schedule performance
• Introduction to scheduling tools and visualisation (Gantt, Kanban, digital tools)

Module 4: Finance

• Planning financial management for the project
• Estimating costs and developing the project budget
• Understanding cost baselines, contingencies and reserves
• Monitoring and controlling financial performance
• Introduction to earned value concepts and performance curves

Module 5: Resources and project leadership

• Planning and acquiring project resources
• Estimating resource needs and balancing competing demands
• Leading project teams and promoting psychological safety
• Applying leadership styles appropriate to project phase and context
• Building high-performing teams and fostering collaboration
• Communication, influencing and negotiation skills
• Managing team performance and addressing issues early

Module 6: Risk

• Planning risk management
• Identifying, categorising and prioritising risks
• Qualitative and quantitative risk analysis techniques
• Developing and implementing risk responses
• Monitoring risks throughout the project lifecycle
• Activities required to evaluate and close a project

Intended audience

This course is suitable for professionals who contribute to or lead projects in government, corporate, not-for-profit or community environments. This includes emerging project managers, subject-matter experts, team leaders and professionals seeking to expand their project management capability.

Prerequisites

None

Delivery mode

This course will be delivered over 6 consecutive weeks, comprising:

• 6 x self-paced online modules
• 4 x 90-minute live facilitated group sessions held online via the platform Zoom.

The self-paced modules will be released weekly, and you should allow around 3 hours per week to complete them. The 90-minute online group sessions will solidify the knowledge attained in the self-paced modules and will be held in weeks 1, 2, 4 and 6. Attendance is essential to meet the course learning outcomes.

Delivery style

To be delivered across a range of methods including:

• self-paced learning modules
• mandatory online live interactive sessions via Zoom
• group discussions
• practical exercises using a choice of case studies
• quizzes, interactive activities and downloadable templates
• links to further reading via references, videos and podcasts.

Materials

This course is managed through the Learning Management System, Canvas. Once enrolled, you will be provided with login details and will have access to Canvas for 3 months after the conclusion of the course.

Organisational training

For groups of 6 or more, courses can be delivered to your team with the option to tailor content.