In the dynamic world of business, a successful project begins long before any work is done—it starts with a solid plan. This "Launchpad to Success: Fundamentals of Project Planning Training Course" is designed to equip you with the essential skills to build comprehensive, actionable project plans that serve as your roadmap to success. You'll learn how to define project scope, establish realistic timelines, and allocate resources effectively, transforming ambiguous ideas into a clear, strategic framework that minimizes risks and maximizes results. This training will give you the confidence to lead any project from conception to completion with precision and control.

Over this intensive 10-day period, this course will demystify the planning process and provide a step-by-step guide to creating a project plan that works. We will cover key methodologies, including how to define project goals, identify stakeholders, create a work breakdown structure, and develop a communication plan. By the end of this course, you will be proficient in the core principles of project planning, enabling you to set your projects up for success from the very beginning and navigate challenges with a well-thought-out strategy.

Duration: 10 days

Target Audience:

• Aspiring Project Managers
• Project Coordinators
• Team Leads
• Business Analysts
• Individuals new to project management
• Professionals taking on project responsibilities
• Freelancers and entrepreneurs
• Students of business and technology
• Stakeholders who need to understand project planning
• Anyone looking to improve their organizational skills

Objectives:

• Understand the importance of project planning
• Define project scope and deliverables clearly
• Identify and engage key project stakeholders
• Create a detailed Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
• Develop a realistic project timeline and schedule
• Estimate project costs and resources
• Identify and mitigate potential risks
• Establish a clear communication plan
• Understand the role of project planning software
• Apply planning principles to real-world scenarios

Course Modules:

Module 1: Introduction to Project Planning

• Why project planning is essential
• The role of the project manager in planning
• The project life cycle overview
• Key terms and concepts
• Common project planning pitfalls

Module 2: Defining Project Scope

• The importance of a clear scope statement
• Techniques for scope definition
• Creating a project charter
• What to include and what to exclude
• Managing scope creep

Module 3: Stakeholder Analysis

• Who are the stakeholders?
• Identifying and mapping key stakeholders
• Creating a stakeholder communication plan
• The importance of engaging stakeholders early
• Managing stakeholder expectations

Module 4: The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

• What is a WBS and why is it important
• Creating a hierarchical WBS
• Decomposing project deliverables
• The 100% rule of a WBS
• Using a WBS as a foundation for planning

Module 5: Project Scheduling

• The importance of a realistic schedule
• Estimating task durations
• The Critical Path Method (CPM)
• Using Gantt charts for visualization
• Managing schedule changes

Module 6: Resource Planning

• Identifying human, material, and equipment resources
• Estimating resource needs
• The importance of a resource management plan
• Allocating resources effectively
• Managing resource conflicts

Module 7: Cost Estimation

• The importance of an accurate budget
• Different methods of cost estimation
• Creating a project budget
• Managing a project's finances
• The role of a contingency fund

Module 8: Risk Management

• What is a project risk?
• Identifying potential project risks
• Analyzing and prioritizing risks
• Developing a risk response plan
• Monitoring and controlling risks

Module 9: Communication Planning

• The importance of a communication plan
• What to communicate and when
• Choosing the right communication channels
• Communicating with different audiences
• Managing communication challenges

Module 10: Quality Planning

• What is project quality?
• The importance of quality standards
• Creating a quality management plan
• Techniques for quality assurance
• The role of a quality audit

Module 11: Procurement Planning

• When to procure and what to procure
• The importance of a procurement plan
• The process of vendor selection
• Managing contracts and vendors
• The benefits of a solid procurement plan

Module 12: Project Management Software

• An overview of common planning tools
• Using Microsoft Project for scheduling
• Using Trello or Asana for task management
• The benefits of a cloud-based solution
• The importance of tool selection

Module 13: Agile Planning

• An introduction to agile planning
• Creating a product backlog
• The role of a sprint and sprint planning
• The benefits of an agile mindset
• The difference between traditional and agile planning

Module 14: Closing a Project

• The importance of a formal project closure
• The process of a post-mortem review
• Documenting lessons learned
• Releasing project resources
• The importance of a final report

Module 15: Stakeholder Engagement

• The importance of a stakeholder register
• The role of a communication matrix
• The benefits of a stakeholder analysis
• The importance of a clear communication plan
• The importance of a good relationship

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.