In today's fast-paced work environment, professionals from every department are increasingly being asked to lead or contribute to projects, often without any formal project management training. This "Accidental Project Manager: Project Management for Non-Project Managers Training Course" is specifically designed to bridge that knowledge gap, providing you with a practical and accessible toolkit to manage projects successfully. You will learn how to apply core project management principles—from defining goals and managing timelines to communicating with stakeholders and handling risks—even if project management is not your primary role. This training will transform the way you approach your work and ensure your projects are completed on time and within budget.

Over this intensive 10-day course, we will demystify the project management process, breaking it down into manageable, easy-to-understand steps. We'll focus on the essential skills you need to navigate projects, whether you're leading a small team initiative or contributing to a larger cross-functional effort. By the end, you will have the confidence to take on project responsibilities, equipped with a clear understanding of the project life cycle, a practical set of tools, and a new mindset for planning and execution. This course will empower you to drive results and contribute more effectively to your organization's goals.

Duration: 10 days

Target Audience:

• Department Heads
• Team Leads
• Subject Matter Experts
• Individual Contributors
• Business Owners
• Administrative Assistants
• Marketing Professionals
• IT Specialists
• Human Resources Managers
• Anyone new to leading projects

Objectives:

• Understand the fundamentals of the project life cycle
• Define project scope and deliverables clearly
• Create a simple project schedule and timeline
• Identify and manage project risks and issues
• Communicate effectively with project stakeholders
• Differentiate between a project and routine work
• Understand the importance of a project charter
• Manage expectations of team members and stakeholders
• Close out a project successfully
• Apply project management principles in a practical way

Course Modules:

Module 1: The Project Management Mindset

• What is a project?
• The project life cycle simplified
• The role of an "accidental" project manager
• The benefits of a structured approach
• Common mistakes to avoid

Module 2: Project Initiation

• The importance of a project charter
• Defining clear project goals and objectives
• Identifying and documenting project assumptions
• The difference between needs and wants
• The importance of a formal kickoff

Module 3: Scoping Your Project

• The importance of a project scope statement
• Techniques for defining your boundaries
• Creating a simple Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
• What to include and what to exclude
• How to prevent scope creep

Module 4: Planning Your Work

• The importance of a simple project plan
• Identifying key project tasks
• Estimating time for each task
• Using a simple Gantt chart
• The role of a critical path

Module 5: Resources & Budget

• How to identify and secure resources
• Estimating a basic project budget
• The importance of a contingency plan
• Managing your time and team's time
• The benefits of resource allocation

Module 6: Risk & Issue Management

• What is a risk versus an issue?
• Identifying potential project risks
• Developing a simple risk log
• The importance of a mitigation plan
• How to handle unexpected issues

Module 7: Communicating Effectively

• The importance of a communication plan
• Identifying your stakeholders
• Best practices for status updates
• How to run a productive meeting
• Managing stakeholder expectations

Module 8: Executing Your Project

• The importance of staying on track
• How to motivate your team
• The role of regular check-ins
• Dealing with challenges and roadblocks
• The importance of adaptability

Module 9: Quality Control

• What is project quality?
• The importance of clear quality standards
• The role of a quality checklist
• Ensuring deliverables meet expectations
• The benefits of a quality-focused mindset

Module 10: Monitoring & Controlling

• The importance of tracking progress
• Measuring performance against your plan
• Making adjustments as needed
• The benefits of a proactive approach
• The role of a project dashboard

Module 11: Team Collaboration

• The importance of a team charter
• Defining roles and responsibilities
• The benefits of a shared workspace
• How to handle team conflicts
• The importance of celebrating successes

Module 12: Documentation & Tools

• The importance of documenting your decisions
• The role of a project notebook
• An overview of simple project tools
• The benefits of using templates
• The importance of a central repository

Module 13: Project Closure

• The importance of a formal sign-off
• How to wrap up your project
• Conducting a simple lessons learned session
• Archiving project documents
• The importance of a final report

Module 14: Time Management Techniques

• The importance of prioritizing tasks
• Using techniques like Pomodoro or time blocking
• The role of a to-do list
• The benefits of a focused work session
• The importance of managing your energy

Module 15: Decision Making

• The importance of a clear decision process
• The role of a decision matrix
• The benefits of involving your team
• The importance of clear criteria
• The dangers of "analysis paralysis"

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.