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The Complete Project management package

Topics include

Definitions
What is a project and Project Management?
What is a Project Management system?
Human, culture, planning...


General Project Structure
Project visualisation
Start and end
Size, costs, time...


Breaking down a project
Milestones, management
Costs and budgets...


Phases of a project
Concept, feasibility
Specification, design
Installation...


The Project notebook
What is it?
Assumptions, problem statements, mission statements
Strategy, scope, objectives
Customer analysis, deliverables
Exit criteria...


Product specification, work break down structure (WBS)
Schedules, resources, control system
Authority, roles and resonsibilities
Risk areas and benefits ...


Planning overview
Why plan?
Work breakdown structures
Task characteristics
Information and milestones...


Detailed planning
Overview
Procurement
Estimation

initial
overview
too long
too short
budgets...

Dependencies
PERT analysis
Slack or float, elapsed time
Roles and responsibilities
Resources
Gantt charts
Constraints
Critical paths and how to manage them...


Control
Why?
Monitoring, general, what...

Time, cost (terms, overspend, cash flow), quality
Progress reporting...
General, committees, data


Taking action
Assessing the situation
Impact analysis
Resolving issues and problems...


Review
Contingency
Change
Documents and procedures
Project completion...


Quality
Plan
Statistical control


Risk
Overview
Impact analysis
Risk versus impact
Automated planning tools
Consideration of time...

Responsibilities
Documentation
General approach
Identification and costing...

Assess chances and impact
Measures
Contingencies
Records and review
Health and safety...


Reviews
Project audits


Human factors
The role of the Project Manager
Overview
Project teams
Recruitment...

Communication
User expectations
Systematic approach
Empowerment
Appointment of a Project Manager...


Project organisation
Project office and documentation

What is a problem?

A.P.I.M.A.
(assess)
problem definition
analysis of data
objective definition


(plan)
identify causes
select the most likely cause
devise potential solutions
selection of the most appropriate solution
plan for implementation


(implement, monitor and act)

Problem solving techniques

problem identification
prioritisation
analysis of problem causes
identifying key causes
data gathering
evaluation and finalising options


brainstorming

method and system


Pareto analysis

what is it?
method and system


data collection

fact and opinion
documentation
method and system
interviews


cause and effect diagrams

effect vs cause
identification and selection of cause
taking action
method and system


process analysis

examine the steps in the work process
method and system


six word system

what, why, when, how, where and who?
method and system


presentation

histogram, barchart and pie chart
scatter diagram
organisation charts


Time saving templates e.g.

audit reports, customer analysis
deliverables, estimation of cost
mission statement, objectives
problem statements...

project numbering
project progress
strategy and S.W.O.T. analysis
timesheets and work breakdown and many more...


Fully Worked Example

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The complete
Risk management package

Topics include

What is risk?
Uncertainty
Risk versus issue
Risk versus reward
Margins versus contingency
Will a project succeed?
Key areas of concern...


6 basic questions to answer
Who?
Why?
What?


How?
Resource?
When?...


Why carry out a risk assessment?
Is the project too risky?
The threat intensity
Decision making
Helpful documentation...


What should risk analysis provide?
Time factor
Prioritisation
Summary of risk
Decision making
Realism...


How does risk management integrate with project management?
Risk management is key?
Permeates all projects?
Supporting role?...


Accountability
Sharing of risk
Who is accountable?...


Stakeholders
Identification
Customer and supplier
User priorities...


Success measures
How do you measure it?
Assumptions
Clarify objectives
Suppliers versus customers


Basic steps
What are the core process steps to assess a risk?

Identification
Proactive planning
Reactive planning
Monitoring and control
Triggers

A simple process outline
What is the basic overall process steps?

Identifying stakeholders
Success criteris
Plan preparation
Identify and assess risks
Ownership and planning
Aggregation, monitoring and review...


Human relations
Pressure
Timing
Bid and budget control
Risk focus
Planning confidence
Price versus cost
Client versus stakeholder driven...


The Project LIfe Cycle
Overview
Concept
Design
Plan


Allocate
Execute
Deliver
Review


Support
Different areas
Working in parallel
Milestones
Contracting
Decision points...


Cost terminology
Expected cost
Target cost
Provision
Contingency
Commitment


Statistical terminology
Mean or average
Median
Mode
Variance
Standard deviation


The risk management process
Overview
Timing
Defining the project
Defining the risk management process...


Identifying risks and responses
Organisng the risks and responses
Ownership (risks, responsibilities and contractors)
Estimating technique...


Evaluating the estimates
Planning (integrating risk and project management)
Managing (the risk management process)


Estimating detail
Overview
Simple estimating of risk
Cumulative probability graphs
Simple estimating of risk detail...


Simple estimating problems
Obtainng the estimates
Breakdown of variables...


Evaluating detail
Overview
Independent correlation
Cumulative probability graph
Positive correlation
Cumulative probability graph...


Negative correlation
Conditional correlation
Cumulative probability graphs...


Planning detail
Types of plan

Initial
Reference
Base
Contingency
Horizon
Action

Ways to modify plans
General comments


General points to consider
Resource level
Control
Contractors
Customer...


Managing the risk process
Overview
Identifying risk issues
Other issues and the project life cycle
Other aspects

Cost and resources
Effectiveness of risk management
Modelling
Managing the process...


The contractor
Overview
Risk assessment positioning
The contract
Cost plus fixed fee
Fixed price
Screening
Transferring risk...


Risk combination
The issues involved...


Common methods of risk assessment
Overview
The timing, prioritising, summarising and decision making virtues
Issue based
Checklists
Qualitative
Quantitative...


Quantitative risk assessment
Overview
Simple example and detail
Simple cost model
Cost model including uncertainty
Cost model including likelihood...


Monte Carlo distribution
Overview
Monte Carlo simulation
Monte Carlo simulation output
Monte Carlo distribution
Monte Carlo risk distribution
How do we carry out the simulations?
Probability Density Function (PDF)
Triangular Probability Density Function (PDF)...


Uncertain events
Overview
Simple pathway likelihood and frequency versus cost graph
Detailed calculations
A basic risk assessment
Probability versus total cost graph...


Correlated events
Overview
Ranges of correlation
Process summary
Risk assessment versus a traditional approach
How will the level of breakdown structure influence the result?
How do we estimate probability simply?...


General points
Collecting task information
Documentation
Other areas to consider when reviewing risk


Data handling
Overview
Monte Carlo risk distribution
Multiple variables


Budget versus contingency
Overview and setting the contingency
Alternative setting of contingency


Schedule risk assessment
Detailed planning, 4 basic types
Detailed planning, in software


Simple network
Simple network (no lag) duration calculations
Simple network (with lag) duration calculations


Branching
Overview (simple branching)
Complex branching
Complex branching duration calculations
Multiple branching
Multiple branching duration calculations
Multiple probability branching
Multiple probability branching duration calculations
Production example
Production example, one step further
Production model output interpretation graph
Nodes and branching networks
Nodes and branching networks graphical output


Markov chain
Events and transitions
Benefits
When do you use it?


Business forecast
Overview (types of operation, activity, timing and correlation)
Business schedule risk
Business revenue and profit risk distribution
Business profit yearly forecast
Business profit simulation graphical output


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The Complete Time management package

Topics include

Resources
Capital
Physical
Human
Information
Finite time...


Workaholic
Long hours
Work enjoyment
Ambition


Personal life
Routine and mundane
Addiction


Result orientation
Old values
Tiredness and mistakes
Signs...


What is time management?
Problem time solving
Goals or objectives and targets
Strategy and tactics...


Goals
Road to success
Hurdles
Basic tactics
Types
Setting goals


Refining goals
Control
Short and long term
Quality
Flexibility...


Objectives
List of tasks
Dependent and non dependent
Strategic v urgent
Prioritise...


Prioritising objectives
Priority ranking
Multiplication ranking
Tabular matrix...


Urgent v important
Urgent - deadline
Important - time
Matrix
Rank
Category detail
Job needs
Job order...


Human nature
Pleasing people
Avoidance of challenges
Fear of position
Ambition


Pride of ability
Being a perfectionist
Retaining control
Preconceived ideas...


Blame culture
Interruptions
Phone calls
Meetings


Lacking data
What are the goals?
Objectives...


Productivity
Output v input...


Also...

Time log
Prioritised objectives
Weekly plan
Recording the log
Analysis


Identify 'time destroyers'
Identify actions
Implement plan...


Key time destroyers
Action chasing
Being disorganised
Can't say no
Crisis management
Friends


Large reports
Low energy levels
Meetings
Multiple tasks
Other's errors


Other's jobs
Paperwork
Perfection
Poor communication
Poor control and reporting


Poor delegation
Poor information
Poor leadership
Poor planning
Poor preparation


Poor self discipline
Putting things off
Resource issues
Responsibility v authority
Socialising
Staff issues


The boss
The telephone
Travel time
Unfinished tasks
Unwanted callers
Work overload
Your own errors...


Typical process
Review your personal time log
Audit
Decide on your time destroyers
Rank them in order of priority
Review the causes


Consider solutions
Generate action steps
Decide on the time scale
Create deadlines
Teamwork...


Strategies for getting on with it
Visibilty
Rank review
Minimise
Tick off


Your time
Challenge
Delegate
Routine


Desktop
Measure
Check
Negative


Fear
Start
Exposure
Mentality


Others
Positive
Benefit
Part


Reward
Energy
Confidence...


Positive thinking
Positive mindset
Attitudes and beliefs
Self belief
Modifying attitudes
Record the goals
The road to success...


Commitment
Winning
Definition
Not knowing


Meetings
Less interruptions
Resource
Resource...


Delegation process
Monitoring
Review
Problems
Tough personnel
Towards independence...


Information collection
Part of time management
Everything
How and where to?
The purpose


Projects
Delayed tasks
Delegated tasks
Processing information
Other...


Processing the information
Define the purpose
Prioritise
Decide on the action and format...


Filing notes
What should you file?
What system should you use?
Agree
'A' to 'Z'
Day files
Other...


Day files
Detail...


Decision PATH
Priorities
Activity
Time
Health
Decision is not action...


Capturing ideas
Record
Techniques
Computer folders
Software...


Brain storm
Record
Do not criticise
Ideas
Consider


Stepwise procedure
Simple voting procedure
Ranking technique
What next?...


Mind mapping
Brain styles
Mond mapping...


Checklists
Task list of reminders
Yesterday's mistakes
Not exhaustive
Ignored
Orientation
Lacking detail...


Reminders
Processing complete
Delegated tasks
Delayed tasks
Projects
Triggers
Diary...


E-mails
General
Message rules
Back up
Spam
Action...


What not to do
General
Would it matter if you didn't do it?
How to tackle it?
Perfectionist?
Time runs out
Bottle it up
Education...


Projects
General
Plan
Meetings
Decisions and data...


Irritating tasks
Benefits
Get started
Atmosphere
Putting them off...


Combining tasks
Areas to consider
Criteria
Culture...


Time
Historical view
Passing time
Quality time
Culture
Mono and polychronic time...


Monochronic time
Attitudes
Definition
Culture
Plans
Other
Issues
Flexibility...


Polychronic time
Attitudes
Definition
Culture
Plans
Other
Issues
Flexibility...


High and low context culture
High and low
Information transfer...


Divergent thinking
Sees the big picture
Flexibility
Free space...


Convergent thinking
Takes a narrow view
Methodical
Free space...


Blending styles
Ideas
Sharing
Good will
Brain use
Assess, plan implement, monitor and act...


Assessment and planning
Best v easy
Work area ideas
Take a break
Taking notes
Prioritising...


Implementing
Combining tasks
Goal posts
Delay
Scheduling...


Prioritising
Visual sorting
Communication and flexibility
Resource
Restructuring
Inclusion...


Scheduling
Diary or calendar
Visual aids
Odd items
Personal energy
Bits and pieces
Assistant
Overload
Visible
The telephone
Proative...


Review
General
Delayed tasks
Delegated tasks
E-mails and voice mail
Diary
Collection
Projects...


Personality drivers
Faster
Please
Perfection
Try hard
Be strong...


Assertiveness
General
Assessment
Process...


Stress
General
Signs
Sources
Problems
Not enough time
Leading to tension
Tempers being lost
Stress escalates
Coping techniques?
Legal redress...


Coping with stress
General
Personality driver
Experience
Techniques
Ideas...


Playtime
General
Reasons for avoidance
Things to try
Little bits
Imagination...




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Leadership - open questions

Leadership requires good communication which may benefit from the techniques of open questions...
Challenging
In simple terms an 'open question' does not allow the easy reply of 'yes', 'no' or things like 'maybe'.

Sometimes you may want a simple reply whereupon a 'closed question' would be very useful where you don't want the individual to go off at a tangent. The use of closed questions can be justified when you have a very good idea of the information you want to clarify and don't have a lot of time.

The 'closed' approach will demonstrate that the individual has a limited amount of knowledge but may not show any depth of understanding of principles.
For this you will need to develop 'open questions that challenge the individual and are more intellectually demanding.

If you ask someone a simple question, for example, 'name three requirements for a leader', you may get the reply..

'Confidence, intelligence and integrity'.

This 'closed question' has allowed the individual to demonstrate some knowledge and fact recall but not to show any deeper understanding.
You could ask the same question in an 'open' format.

'Could you give me examples of the attributes a leader should have?'
'Which leadership quality do you see as the most important and why?'
'Explain what you consider to be the best quality for a leader'.
Apart from integrity, what additional attributes would you like to see in a leader?'

These questions will stretch the individual in to giving a more in depth answer.

People often fall into the trap of using 'closed' questions because the answers can be easily evaluated as correct or not.
The right question
Framing the correct question can be very important when you are collecting data but may be less relevant when judging the depth of knowledge of an individual. Clearly, it is still relevant to decide on the questions before any interviews take place.

This will be particularly relevant where you are trying to compare the responses of different individuals.

Hopefully, questions should:
  • Extend thinking skills.
  • Clarify understandings.
  • Gain feedback on teaching/learning.
  • Provide revision strategies.
  • Create links between ideas.
  • Enhance curiosity.
  • Provide challenges.
Bloom's taxonomy
Questioning should be used purposefully to achieve well-defined goals.

Ideally, questions should be asked that require the development of thinking skills.

Bloom's taxonomy is a hierarchical system of ordering thinking skills from lower to higher, with the higher levels including all of the cognitive skills from the lower levels.

Below are the levels of the taxonomy, with a brief explanation, and examples of questions which require students to use thinking skills at each level.

Knowledge

  • Remembering previously learned material, e.g., definitions, concepts, principles, formulas.
What is the definition of a "noun"?
What is Newton's third law?
What is the capital of Cameroon?

These questions are designed to stimulate remembering, facts, terms, definitions, concepts and principles.

You can use particular words to begin the questioning.
What? List, name, define and describe are good opening words for these sort of questions.

Comprehension

  • Understanding the meaning of remembered material, usually demonstrated by explaining in one's own words or citing examples.
What are some words which are commonly used to describe a leader?
What does the data mean?
Explain the process of combustion.

Use explain, interpret, summarise, provide examples, predict or translate to start these questions.

Application

  • Using information in a new context to solve a problem, to answer a question, or to perform another task. The information used may be rules, principles, formulas, theories, concepts, or procedures.
Given your knowledge of appraisal techniques what guidance would you give to others?
How does Newton's third law apply to planetary motion?
Based on your current understanding, what risk management processes could be useful here?

You could use compute, apply, modify, solve or construct to help initiate these questions.

Analysis

  • Breaking a piece of material into its parts and explaining the relationship between the parts.
Given your three key attributes for a leader how do you think they interrelate?
What key factors are influencing leadership today?
What is the relationship between electrical current and resistance?

You may wish to try, 'How does. apply' , 'Why does. work' , 'What differences are there.' at the front tend of appropriate questions.

Synthesis

  • Putting parts together to form a new whole, pattern or structure.
What key points would you consider when putting a team together?
How would the use of risk management help you as a leader?
What aspects of leadership would you draw on for setting up appraisal training?

Here you are trying to get the individual to build on data and information that they may already possess.

Evaluation

  • Using a set of criteria, established by the student or specified by the instructor, to arrive at a reasoned judgment.
How well did your delegation training meet your needs for leadership?
Was leadership implemented successfully in your previous employment?
Have you ever been set targets and were they met?

Begin questions asking for judgments or comparisons between scenarios.

High and low levels

In simple terms the above are often just split into high and low levels.
Lower level questions tend to seek out the preparation, comprehension, strengths, weaknesses.

The higher level questions encourage problem solving, open up discussion and promote deeper thinking.
Other question types
Ordinary

These tend to be simple, requesting information or items that you need, for example food or directions.
Questioning stops when the need is satisfied.

Inquiry

Here it is not assumed that the individual knows the answer when you ask the question.
The reply usually needs an additional question to carry on the inquiry.

Rhetorical

The questioner usually knows the answer and doesn't necessarily expect a reply.
The question can often be used to test understanding.
They do not encourage enquiry.

Socratic

They are designed to check underlying logic or the structure of thinking leading to the making of reasonable judgements.
Other questioning tools
Thinkers Keys


Thinkers Keys is a strategy used to develop creative and critical thinking designed by Tony Ryan, a consultant for Gifted and Talented Programs in Queensland.
Each of the twenty keys is a different question which challenges the reader to compose his or her own questions and come up with responses.

Question Matrix

The Question Matrix was designed by Chuck Weiderhold in 1991.
It contains 36 question starters asking what, where, when, which, who, why and how.
These questions are asked in present, past and future tenses ranging from simple recall through to predictions and imagination.
Proceeding through the matrix, the questions become more complex and open-ended.

The questions range from mere use of memory to creative and critical questioning.
The Question Matrix may be made into cubes, cards, spinners or divided into strips or single questions depending on the task.

The Question Matrix is a visual tool to assist students to create their own questions about topics. to encourage in-depth thinking.
Students can become more independent at designing their own learning tasks.
The opportunity for greater choice and flexibility and to follow up individual interests is facilitated.

The levels of Bloom's Taxonomy of Thinking can be linked to the Question Matrix.
Questions along the top of the grid are knowledge questions.
Questions along the bottom of the grid require analysis , synthesis and evaluation.

Six Thinking Hats

Edward De Bono devised the Six Thinking Hats as a strategy to encourage students to look at a topic or problem or idea from more than one perspective.
Each hat represents a different kind of thinking and therefore different kinds of questions.
This process is clearly explained in his books and other readily available commercial material.
Get the full details
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The Complete LEADERSHIP package


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Other useful links at time management basics.com:

 

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