Next Steps in Project Management - Overcoming Common Challenges

This course is for people with project management experience who are already working to a process (project initiation prior to planning, stakeholder mapping and engagement, scheduling, and managing risk), or have attended our one-day Introduction, but now need to take more control of projects.

The problem solving day is the next step after our Introduction to Project Management workshop to give more insight into planning before focusing on managing risks and dealing with the inevitable challenges that can undermine even the best planned projects.

By the end of the day, attendees will have been able to review their current practice and think about possible improvements.  They will also have new tips and tools to help with larger projects.  The topic headlines are below but the facilitator will be flexible and deliver what best meets the needs and challenges of those in the room.

Course Overview

Prices

  • Standard Price

    £750*

  • SME
    Fewer than 250 staff

    £625*

  • Public Sector Price

    £550*

  • Large Charity
    Over 31+ staff

    £490*

  • Small Charity
    Fewer than 30 staff

    £380*

  • *Per person, excluding VAT

  • Duration

    1 day

  • Location

    Classroom

    Public classroom sessions are held at 3rd Floor, 9 Alie Street, London E1 8DE

    Find out more

    Classroom

  • Requirements

    This course is designed for Project Managers with less than 3 years of experience, or those returning to Project Management.

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Course Overview

This workshop is currently only available for private group bookings, held either in the classroom or online as Face-to-Face Live Online Learning. Please get in touch with our friendly team for pricing, availability and customisation options.

Course timetable

Session 1 – Planning recap

A review of the planning basics.  Participants are encouraged to use their own projects and challenges as examples for the exercises.  Before you start delivering, are you clear what you’re getting into?

  • Output vs outcome – setting clear outcomes to inform your planning
  • Revisiting the definition of a project – are you sticking to it?
  • Schedule – review how you’re scheduling a project and any issues that arise
  • Thinking about workplace culture around deadlines
  • The role of the Sponsor

Session 2 – Planning resources and costs

Often those of us running projects do not need to budget for every penny.  Yet it can still be useful to have a clear idea of costs both internal and external and a good relationship with the finance department.

  • Understanding resource implications of your Work Breakdown Structure
  • Planning budgets
  • Responding to outside factors.  You may have a clear scope and project plan, but what happens when a key stakeholder changes their mind or political events change the situation?  How can you be responsive and keep a clear eye on the implications for cost and time?

Session 3 – Managing risk

A closer look at risk; what kind of risks are there?  Can we tweak something to make the risk disappear or (if a risk is significant enough) do we need a contingency plan?

  • The four Ts
  • Mitigating Risk
  • Creating contingency

Session 4 – Challenges in Implementation

Beyond the foundation of good process, most project management challenges are about people, leadership and communication.  Those challenges and some possible solutions are the heart of this session and it will change dependent on the needs of the course participants. Some challenges you may wish to think about:

  • Scope creep – are you suffering from a lack of defined scope, do you need an effective change control, or do you need to work on assertive communication?
  • Time – are you finding that you are running out of time, or are people not getting back to you? 
  • People – 90% of project management is about communication, we can think about specific challenges you may face and technique to find a way through. 

Our approach to programme delivery

Every programme is designed to ensure complete individual involvement and participation, it will stimulate your thinking and challenge you. The key focus is on practical skills and real outcomes throughout. The content will involve an innovative and engaging blend of activities so that you can directly apply it to your current performance and your future success.

Which Project Management workshop is right for you?

Making sure you’ve booked the right course isn’t always easy.

Luckily we have a handy survey to help you decide.

And if you’re still unsure, call our friendly team on 020 7375 7300 and we’ll help you work out what you need.

Take our Project Management survey

Group Learning Events

Looking for a private group event for your team, or even your whole organisation?

We can organise a date that works for you, and we can tailor the content to your team. Our private workshops can be held online, inhouse at your workplace or here at Happy's HQ in London.

Find out more and enquire now

Book now

See our available course dates, or contact us for bespoke options.

The Small Print

For Face-to-Face Live Online Learning

All learners will need to install Zoom on their machines. Full technical requirements are on the Zoom website. Your link will be included in your joining instructions once you have booked your place — if you haven't received this email then please contact our team.

Each day of the course will be delivered via a combination of face-to-face live online Zoom sessions and self-guided study. You should reserve the full day in your diary for the learning. This will allow you to join the interactive workshops and have time to reflect and do the assignments in between. 

Learners should log into the training session 10 minutes before the start time to ensure that they have downloaded and set up Zoom correctly. The course will start precisely on time and it may not be possible to go back over material missed by late arrivals.

Your active participation is expected: everyone will be heard and seen throughout, just as they would be if we were in a room together. To be heard, hear and seen you will need a microphone, speakers and camera — if you have a modern laptop that’s all you will need. Remember, you’ll need a quiet place to call from and a decent internet connection is a must.

Please ensure you read our Terms and Conditions before booking for our payment terms and cancellation policy.

For classroom sessions

All public classroom sessions take place at Happy's HQ in London at Robert Dolan House, 9 Alie Street, London E1 8DE. Please see our Contact Us page for full directions and a PDF map.

Each day of the course will run from 10am to 4:30pm (lunch is served 1pm to 1:45pm — we offer a choice of 3 cold bowl dishes). Please be careful to arrive by 9.45am for registration and refreshments. The course will start precisely on time and it may not be possible to go back over material missed by late arrivals. If you arrive over 30 minutes late you may be asked to leave and attend another day.

Please ensure you read our Terms and Conditions before booking for our payment terms and cancellation policy.

The happy Guarantee

We want everyone to go away from our courses feeling as though they have learnt useful, practical skills that they can use straight away when they go back to work.

If you don’t feel that your training has been useful or if you are unhappy in any way, please get in touch with our Customer Services team within 30 days of the course. We will be happy to offer you additional support and training free of charge to help you to gain the skills you need, or if you’d prefer, a full refund.

If you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch with our friendly team.

Did you know...

...project management requires a disciplined approach to defining, planning, strategising, communicating, and controlling projects?

Our range of project management workshops will guide you through this approach and our Asana and Microsoft Project courses will show you how to structure, schedule and monitor projects efficiently and effectively.

Not sure which Project Management course is for you?

Still need help? Get in touch and our friendly team will be able to advise you further, or arrange a call with one of our experienced facilitators.