Complex Project Management

What is this course about?

Through an intensive four-day simulation, you will learn how to apply best practices from the emerging fields of complexity science and chaos theory to a real-world project through a unique complexity assessment model and an adaptive four-step process built on Agile and Lean principles. You will also take home a personalized toolkit and productivity template for use back at work.

How is this course structured?

This course is structured around a dynamic style of learning created by Learning Tree called RealityPlus^TM - an immersive experience that engages you in authentic tasks within a simulated real-world context. Through media-rich case studies, role playing, and video/computer-based activities, you are immersed throughout the course in an evolving scenario where the decisions you make affect the outcome of the simulation. The RealityPlus learning method is presented in a safe environment where you gain new skills and practice the most effective techniques to bring back to your job. At the end of your course, you are prepared to immediately and successfully apply these new skills within your organization!

How will this course help my projects be more successful?

In today's constantly changing business world, project managers are faced with managing larger, more complex projects with limited budgets and scarce resources. To avoid rework, delay and disruption, project managers need advanced tools and techniques to manage this rapidly changing environment. In this course, you apply an adaptive project management process to control uncertainty and ambiguity, and exploit opportunities for project performance and product innovation.

Who will benefit from this course?

This course is designed for project and program managers who want to learn advanced tools and techniques to enhance their ability to successfully manage projects. Course participants include project managers who want to establish themselves as thought leaders and improve the "project fit" to the business and organization. Experienced project leaders who aspire to become managers will also benefit from this course.

What background do I need?

A solid understanding of conventional project management is recommended. If you have no experience managing projects, you man be overwhelmed by this advanced course, we recommend that you take either Course 296: Project Management: Skills for Success or Course 340: Project Management for Software Development before taking this course.

Do I need to be an expert in math?

No. Basic math skills at a business level are essential. However, this course does not require any in-depth knowledge of mathematics or mathematical theory. The math used in the course is for financial analysis only.

Will senior managers benefit from this course?

Absolutely! Many of the principles apply to general management. Senior managers also gain a valuable understanding of the tools and techniques at the disposal of their project managers as well as the role they must play in order for projects to deliver success.

Does this course cover program management?

Not explicitly. However, the tools and techniques gained in this course are equally applicable to program management as well as project management.

How does this course differ from Course 296?

Course 287 is an advanced course that employs an adaptive approach to dealing with large, dynamic and complex projects. Course 296 deals with relatively static and tightly bound projects with less emphasis on the business issues. Course 296 is a solid foundation for Course 287.

Does this course cover Microsoft Project?

The course uses Microsoft Project to a limited degree. The course does not teach Microsoft Project but does assume some knowledge of project management tools. For detailed coverage of Microsoft Project, you may consider Course 299: Microsoft^® Project 2007: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction, which provides experience using Project Professional to plan project tasks, activities and make use of resources.

Is this course specifically designed for IT staff?

No. The methods and techniques in the course are applicable to project management in all industries and technologies.

How much time is spent on each topic?

What kinds of activities are covered in the workshops?

Approximately 60 percent of this course in activities. Through a case-study based simulation, you gain experience managing a complex project. Experiential activities include:

• Identifying the limits of conventional project managment
• Analyzing the components of a complex project
• Applying a complexity assessment model to a realistic case study
• Building an adaptive project management plan using a four-step process
• Decomposign a complex program into manageable projects
• Delivering probabilitstic estimations
• Optimizing your project with Critical Chain, Agile and Lean best practices
• Tracking lessons learned for improvement

Is this course applicable toward a Project Management Institute (PMI) certification?

Yes. Though this course is not designed as preparation for an exam, it is beneficial to anyone working toward, or maintaining, a PMI certification. Most PMI certifications require a specific number of PDUs in order to obtain and maintain the credential. Completion of this course provides 23 professional development units (PDUs).

Learning Tree offers several courses that help you prepare for PMI certifications, including Course 276: Preparing for the Project Management Professional (PMP)^® Exam, which prepares you for PMI's most popular certification. For more details on these courses and PMI certifications, please see the Learning Tree PMI Registered Education Provider Q&A.

How does this course relate to other Learning Tree courses?

In addition to the aforementioned prerequisites, the following project management and leadership skills courses may also be of interest:

• 286: Preparing for the PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)® Exam provides the skills to manage risk effectively and develop strategies to analyze the risks in project development and implementation
• 346: Project Leadership: Building High-Performance Teams  provides the knowledge and skills for you to transition to a leader who can inspire a diverse team to work together and deliver customer success.
• 918: Agile Project Management with Scrum offers the skills to apply Agile and Scrum techniques to manage software development projects.
• 3610: Building a Successful Project Management Office offers the skills to develop a Project Management Office (PMO) to improve project efficiency
• 3620: Managing Global Projects , provides the knowledge to facilitate effective cross-cultural communication and create an efficient structure to achieve global project success

Other courses that may be of interest include:

• 248: Preparing for the PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)® Exam 
• 315: Developing User Requirements: The Key to Project Success 
• 923: Project Budgeting and Estimating: Taking Control of Your Projects 

US Dates