@RTC Aldershot - Project Management

Project Management Course
Service leavers needed a generic course covering the requirements of the Association of Project Managers (APM - the sector's professional body) PRINCE methodology (used in the public sector) and MicroSoft Project 2000 as a common software package. The result is a course delivered by the Project Management Group, involving both the APM with access to their corporate members and Project Search - a specialist project management recruitment company.
Overview
Nowadays, a properly implemented and structured PM approach is necessary to organise, plan and control business undertakings. The course provides people responsible for planning and managing projects with a structure and the necessary tools and techniques to initiate, plan, control and review projects, including essential people skills.
The APM Professional (APMP) qualification is a widely agreed benchmark of PM knowledge. PRINCE2 methodology is accepted throughout the UK and beyond as the leading 'best practice' project management approach and is gaining momentum within central government, local government and the private sector.
The course includes a simulated project that is a realistic vehicle for students to practise their skills. It requires significant evening work, including private study and completing practice examination questions, is necessary.
Objectives
It teaches students to:

- understand all key areas of project management and be able to employ tools and techniques at each stage, using a best practice approach

- organise, plan and control projects in accordance with the PRINCE2 methodology

- provide senior management with facts in a structured format so they can make informed decisions about the project

- pass the APM Professional, and PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner exams

- understand the use of MS Project 2000 for planning straightforward projects.
Course Content
The course lasts three weeks and covers:

• PM
  
• business case
  
• project lifecycle
  
• risk management
  
• project planning
  
• scope management
  
• time scheduling
  
• resource management
  
• control and co-ordination
  
• change control
  
• teamwork
  
• stakeholder management
  
• PRINCE2 process model, components and techniques
  
• starting, initiating and controlling a project
  
• understanding the process relationships
  
• quality review technique
  
• MS Project 2000 overview.
  Employment
  There are considerable job opportunities in the UK and worldwide, with 150,000 people employed in Project Management in the UK and 12,000 APM members. PRINCE2 has been taken by 13,000 candidates since January 2001 with 8,000 taking APM Professional.
  Fees
  The course falls outside contract-funded training and will require Service leavers to fund the course through their Individual Resettlement Training Costs grant of £534, reclaimable through single Service channels, and a personal contribution of £666, totalling £1,200. Exam and associated fees are levied by examining bodies and the Project Group for pre-course material and academy membership. Service people may be able to reclaim 80 per cent of these fees up to a maximum of £175 through Standard Learning Credits.
  Pre-course Reading
  A significant amount of pre-course reading is essential. Before the course students must have completed the following:
  read the PRINCE2 manual
  read the PRINCE2 how to pass the exam
  read the short guide to PRINCE2 (say 10 hours)
  studied six APMP distance learning modules (say 10 hours).
  For more information contact Aldershot Military (01252 348xxx) 3520/3637/3519
  A Case in Point
  Airman Technician and then Squadron Leader Phil Evans served 21 years as an RAF engineer, before leaving in 1998. Tours included aircraft squadrons and support authorities, before becoming an Armament Officer working on Bloodhound missiles, and weapons trials at Boscombe Down.
  'The transition to the Project Management profession is a natural one for Service staff, both commissioned and non-commissioned, because many of the 'softer skills' required of a successful Project Manager are developed through the progressive management training that is part of Service career development.
  'I first worked with a small consultancy in high street retailing, financial services, delivered training courses to a number of clients, and also spent some time working back with what was then DERA!
  'The consultancy path did not give me a sense of ownership so I joined General Motors Information Systems and Services as a Project/Programme Manager. I started with the replacement of all the computer systems in a manufacturing plant. Over the 18 months of the project, I had up to seven Project Managers working for me, each responsible for their own team.
  'I have now moved into a combined Programme/Operations role - Business Services Manager for Vauxhall Motors. I am responsible for the availability and maintenance of all legacy systems in the finance, logistics and purchasing space, with a small team of three Project Managers.
  'My experience shows how PM skills are transferable, not only from the Service to civilian life, but also across industry sectors. I have no doubt that the skills and work ethic that I acquired from my Service career are fundamental to my achievements since leaving four years ago.'