Successful completion fulfills 15 Professional Development Units toward SPSCC certificate completion and can be submitted to PMI subject to their audit process.

This course builds on the basic information provided in the introductory Project Management Course, and focuses on the first two phases of the project life cycle: Initiation and Planning. Proper initiation and planning greatly enhance the likelihood of project success, and far too often they are not given sufficient attention or adequate time in the project life cycle. This course will teach key concepts and practical skills necessary to properly initiate and plan a project. Initiation will focus on topics such as the role of a project sponsor, how to develop a good problem statement, developing appropriate goals and objectives, identification of constraints, developing a project charter, and obtaining the authority to proceed. Planning will cover the various planning components such as: Scope; Schedule; Resource Management; Risk; Quality; Communication; Cost Estimating & Budgeting; Purchases & Acquisitions; and Procurement. Planning will also focus on providing practical skills, knowledge, and templates for developing key work products such as: a Project Management Plan; a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS); a Project Schedule; a Risk Matrix; a Communication Plan; and a Project Budget.

Performance Objectives: Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:

• Understand what is included in project initiation and why each item is important.
• Understand the role of a Project Sponsor.
• Develop an appropriate scope statement, goals and objectives.
• Write a Project Charter.
• Develop a Project Management Plan.
• Create a WBS, a Project Schedule, and a Project Budget.
• Draft a Communication Plan.
• Create a Risk Matrix.

Audience: Employees whose work involves the planning and management of Projects. This course applies to private, public, government, municipal, and federal entities.

Successful completion of the Project Management Essentials course is strongly recommended prior taking this course.

Please note: Students who register less than three days prior to class may not receive their book until after class ends.