Keystrokes: Project Management

Project Management – converting the vision into reality
Introducing a supportive and innovative culture of structured project management within an organization can be a challenge. Here are some most frequently asked questions.

Q. “Can’t we just send people on a standard Project Management training course?”
A. Of course you can, but successful project management doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Even the most talented and expert project managers can’t deliver a successful project on their own! A robust process needs to be in place that everyone is signed up to – high level decision makers, project team members and business stakeholders. The processes must involve the right people at the right time and in the right decisions; it must document and track the right information and report it to the right people; it must ensure that changes are justified, validated and authorized at the right level, that risks and issues are raised in the right forum and it must ensure that all projects follow the same format.

Without such processes in place within the organization or team, the skills gained on a “standard” project management training course can only provide the theory. The business specific context is vital to enable the theory to be applied.

Keystrokes can provide consultancy to define a structured project management process that is fit for your business or team. We can also advise on how it can be implemented and embedded to create an environment where successful projects are delivered as standard.

Q. “How can we give people the practical skills they need to manage projects?”
A. Successful project management is founded on practical skills and project management techniques combined with an understanding of how these are applied within an organization’s chosen project management process. A successful project manager requires knowledge and skills in both of these interdependent areas.
Keystrokes’ Project Management Foundation Skills training course provides a practical learner-centred course to:

The course concentrates on skills and practical, people focused, case study work. Keystrokes can tailor the course to reflect the specific lifecycle, processes and documentation included in your organization’s methodology.
Integrate this with Keystrokes’ Microsoft Project skills training and you are equipping new project managers with the skills and tools they will need to be effective.

Q. “We already have experienced project managers – how do we get them to follow our methodology and processes.”
A. Keystrokes have much experience of designing and delivering intensive trainer-led workshops focused on an organization’s specific project management methodology. This course can suit the audience, whether they are new to project management and have attended a Project Management Foundation Skills training course, or are an experienced project manager who needing to get to grips with the organization’s processes.
Keystrokes can also develop sustainable e-learning solutions to communicate the agreed methodology and processes and assess skills retention.

Q. “How can we make sure everyone complies with the new processes and project managers don’t revert back to the old ways of just getting by?”
A. The introduction of a project management process is a significant business and culture change. Successful implementation is not achieved through a single event or intervention. Instead it is a process of awareness, shifting and embedding new skills.
Keystrokes can support this change through:

Q. “How can we make sure that projects are business-driven and focused on delivering benefits to the organization?”
A. Keystrokes have sought out partners to enable us to provide a comprehensive range of project support services. These services include:


	Click here to discover some of our latest projects, including Fiz-assist skills gap analysis. Click here to read about some of our successes. The latest events and updates from Keystrokes HQ. Click here to view archived news.	Products - e-learning \| Fiz-Assist \| KS Connect \| Project Management Project Management – converting the vision into reality Introducing a supportive and innovative culture of structured project management within an organization can be a challenge. Here are some most frequently asked questions. Q. “Can’t we just send people on a standard Project Management training course?” A. Of course you can, but successful project management doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Even the most talented and expert project managers can’t deliver a successful project on their own! A robust process needs to be in place that everyone is signed up to – high level decision makers, project team members and business stakeholders. The processes must involve the right people at the right time and in the right decisions; it must document and track the right information and report it to the right people; it must ensure that changes are justified, validated and authorized at the right level, that risks and issues are raised in the right forum and it must ensure that all projects follow the same format. Without such processes in place within the organization or team, the skills gained on a “standard” project management training course can only provide the theory. The business specific context is vital to enable the theory to be applied. Keystrokes can provide consultancy to define a structured project management process that is fit for your business or team. We can also advise on how it can be implemented and embedded to create an environment where successful projects are delivered as standard. Q. “How can we give people the practical skills they need to manage projects?” A. Successful project management is founded on practical skills and project management techniques combined with an understanding of how these are applied within an organization’s chosen project management process. A successful project manager requires knowledge and skills in both of these interdependent areas. Keystrokes’ Project Management Foundation Skills training course provides a practical learner-centred course to: Be able to recognize what constitutes a project Understand the stages of the project lifecycle Be able to define project scope, objectives and deliverables Use tools and techniques such as Gantt and Critical Path Analysis to plan and structure work Be able to identify and manage risks and issues Use techniques to control projects in an effective and systematic way Understand the components of a successful project team Be able to manage people, groups, resources and interests involved in a project Be able to establish benchmarks, evaluate progress and review quality of delivery Be able to close a project. The course concentrates on skills and practical, people focused, case study work. Keystrokes can tailor the course to reflect the specific lifecycle, processes and documentation included in your organization’s methodology. Integrate this with Keystrokes’ Microsoft Project skills training and you are equipping new project managers with the skills and tools they will need to be effective. Q. “We already have experienced project managers – how do we get them to follow our methodology and processes.” A. Keystrokes have much experience of designing and delivering intensive trainer-led workshops focused on an organization’s specific project management methodology. This course can suit the audience, whether they are new to project management and have attended a Project Management Foundation Skills training course, or are an experienced project manager who needing to get to grips with the organization’s processes. Keystrokes can also develop sustainable e-learning solutions to communicate the agreed methodology and processes and assess skills retention. Q. “How can we make sure everyone complies with the new processes and project managers don’t revert back to the old ways of just getting by?” A. The introduction of a project management process is a significant business and culture change. Successful implementation is not achieved through a single event or intervention. Instead it is a process of awareness, shifting and embedding new skills. Keystrokes can support this change through: Briefing sponsors and senior managers Project management workshops and problem solving surgeries Coaching and mentoring for new project managers Group coaching for new Project Boards Assessment and reporting of skills and compliance Microsoft Project training that integrates with and reinforces Project Management Foundation Skills Q. “How can we make sure that projects are business-driven and focused on delivering benefits to the organization?” A. Keystrokes have sought out partners to enable us to provide a comprehensive range of project support services. These services include: Change management consultancy and planning Gear up and scoping workshop facilitation Business process analysis and business user consultation System QA and user acceptance testing Project management services and consultancy Business and data analysis services Systems design and development Systems review and acceptance testing Project Office implementation and management Training and people development to support change

Keystrokes Ltd, Conyngham Hall, Bond End, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire HG5 9AY t: 0845 3301101, f: 01423 799160, e: info@keystrokes.co.uk