Project Management Foundations (PMF) Course Outline

Course Overview

Project management is a critical skill required across all industries to successfully deliver projects on time, within budget, and according to stakeholder expectations. This practical Project Management Foundations (PMF) course provides participants with a comprehensive understanding of project management principles, processes, tools, and techniques.

Through interactive discussions, practical exercises, case studies, and real-world examples, participants will develop the skills required to initiate, plan, execute, monitor, control, and close projects effectively.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the project management environment and project lifecycle

• Define project scope and objectives

• Develop effective project plans and schedules

• Manage project costs, resources, and quality requirements

• Identify and mitigate project risks

• Monitor and control project performance

• Apply project management methodologies and best practices

• Manage stakeholder expectations and team dynamics

• Handle common workplace and project-related people issues

• Understand procurement and tendering processes

• Successfully close projects and capture lessons learned

Module 1: Introduction to Project Management

Learning Outcomes

Participants will understand the fundamentals of project management and its role within organizations.

Topics Covered

• What is a project?

• What is project management?

• Characteristics of successful projects

• Project lifecycle overview

• Roles and responsibilities in project management

• Project stakeholders

• Project governance

• Project success factors

Practical Exercise

Project identification and stakeholder mapping.

Module 2: The Project Management Environment

Learning Outcomes

Understand the organizational and business environment in which projects operate.

Topics Covered

• Organizational structures

• Functional vs Matrix vs Projectized organizations

• Business case development

• Strategic alignment of projects

• Project constraints and assumptions

• Project management office (PMO)

Practical Exercise

Analyzing organizational structures and project impacts.

Module 3: Project Initiation

Learning Outcomes

Learn how projects are formally initiated and approved.

Topics Covered

• Project selection methods

• Feasibility assessment

• Business case preparation

• Project charter development

• Defining project objectives

• Identifying stakeholders

• Project authorization process

Practical Exercise

Creating a Project Charter.

Module 4: Project Planning

Learning Outcomes

Develop comprehensive project plans.

Topics Covered

• Scope management

• Requirements gathering

• Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

• Project scheduling

• Critical Path Method (CPM)

• Resource planning

• Cost estimation and budgeting

• Quality planning

• Communication planning

Practical Exercise

Developing a WBS and project schedule.

Module 5: Risk Management

Learning Outcomes

Identify, assess, and manage project risks effectively.

Topics Covered

• Risk management principles

• Risk identification techniques

• Risk analysis

• Probability and impact assessment

• Risk response planning

• Risk registers

• Contingency planning

Practical Exercise

Creating a project risk register.

Module 6: Project Execution

Learning Outcomes

Understand how to manage project work and teams during implementation.

Topics Covered

• Leading project teams

• Resource coordination

• Stakeholder engagement

• Quality assurance

• Performance reporting

• Managing project communications

• Procurement management

Practical Exercise

Managing project execution scenarios.

Module 7: Project Monitoring and Control

Learning Outcomes

Track project progress and implement corrective actions.

Topics Covered

• Performance measurement

• Key performance indicators (KPIs)

• Schedule control

• Cost control

• Scope control

• Change management

• Issue management

• Status reporting

Practical Exercise

Analyzing project performance reports.

Module 8: Managing People and Teams

Learning Outcomes

Develop skills to manage common workplace and project team challenges.

Topics Covered

• Team development

• Leadership styles

• Conflict management

• Negotiation techniques

• Communication skills

• Motivation and engagement

• Handling difficult stakeholders

• Managing day-to-day people problems

Practical Exercise

Role-play and conflict resolution scenarios.

Module 9: Tendering and Procurement Management

Learning Outcomes

Understand procurement processes and tender management.

Topics Covered

• Procurement planning

• Tendering process overview

• Request for Proposal (RFP)

• Request for Quotation (RFQ)

• Bid evaluation

• Vendor selection

• Contract management

• Supplier performance management

Practical Exercise

Evaluating supplier proposals.

Module 10: Implementing Project Management Methodologies

Learning Outcomes

Understand commonly used project management methodologies.

Topics Covered

• Traditional (Waterfall) methodology

• Agile project management

• Hybrid approaches

• PRINCE2 overview

• PMBOK framework overview

• Methodology selection criteria

• Organizational project maturity

Practical Exercise

Selecting an appropriate methodology for a project case study.

Module 11: Project Close-Out

Learning Outcomes

Successfully complete projects and capture organizational learning.

Topics Covered

• Project completion criteria

• Client acceptance

• Project handover

• Administrative closure

• Financial closure

• Lessons learned

• Post-project review

• Benefits realization

Practical Exercise

Conducting a project closure review.

Capstone Project

Participants will work in teams to develop and present a complete project management plan incorporating:

• Project Charter

• Stakeholder Analysis

• Work Breakdown Structure

• Schedule

• Budget

• Risk Register

• Communication Plan

• Procurement Plan

• Project Close-Out Report

Assessment

• Individual practical exercises

• Group activities

• Case studies

• Capstone project presentation

• Participation and engagement

Target Audience

• Project Coordinators

• Team Leaders

• Supervisors

• Operations Managers

• Business Professionals

• Entrepreneurs

• Newly Appointed Project Managers

• Anyone involved in project delivery

Course Duration

Online Training

• 6 Half-Day Sessions

• 08:00 – 12:00 or 12:30 – 16:30

In-Person Training

• 3 Full-Day Sessions

• 08:00 – 16:00

Course Fees

Online Training

R14,000 (Inclusive of VAT)

In-Person Training

R15,545 (Inclusive of VAT)

Group Bookings (2 or More Delegates)

From R12,789 per person (Inclusive of VAT)

Discounts available for larger groups.