Agenda

Traits of the Successful Project Manager

• Interpret the 5 key traits of the most successful project managers and determine your own personal strengths and weaknesses
• Discover the 5-point success blueprint of expert project managers — and why some project managers are more effective than others
• Remove the mystery and complexity from on-time/on-budget performance: insightful tips from master project planners that you can use every day

The Project Team

• Analyze the structure and makeup of your project team for more precise planning
• Avoid delays and scheduling problems by assessing each team member's physical location, roles, and responsibilities
• Identify the specific skills you need as the project's manager by defining and understanding the unique organization of your team
• Employ dynamic management "team-building" techniques to improve productivity and performance from project start to finish

The 5-Step Project Management Model: Define, Plan, Implement, Control, and Adjust

• Utilize a step-by-step checklist to define specific project objectives and pinpoint essential planning components
• Follow fail-safe planning formulas that put "first things first," and avoid scheduling conflicts later in the project
• Demystify professional planning models: how to simplify every kind of project with PERT, CPM, and Gantt charting techniques
• Learn the 2 key skills that help you anticipate problems before they become difficult to solve
• Master the art of progressive decision making: how to keep the project moving on track with no-stall decision-making tactics
• Determine the essentials of project control and use these principles to keep your project on time, on budget, and meeting objectives
• Build flexibility into project implementation, allowing you to handle opportunities and problems as they arise

The Role and Use of Computers in Project Management

• Recognize the 4 key advantages of computers and the 3 dangers you must avoid
• Utilize a simple 7-step evaluation to determine whether use of computers will significantly benefit your project
• Evaluate computer software options and "zero in" on the best software solution for your project