Introduction

In an increasingly competitive business landscape, project success is no longer just about on-time and on-budget delivery; it's about maximizing customer value while relentlessly eliminating waste. Lean Project Management offers a transformative approach, applying the core principles of lean manufacturing to the world of projects. By focusing on flow, value streams, and continuous improvement, this methodology empowers teams to streamline their processes, reduce inefficiencies, and deliver what truly matters to stakeholders. This Lean & Agile: Training Course on Project Management for Maximizing Value & Minimizing Waste is a 10-day hands-on program designed to shift your mindset and toolkit toward a more efficient, value-driven way of working.

This course will equip you with the knowledge and practical skills to identify and eliminate the seven wastes of project management, from unnecessary handoffs to unused features. You will learn how to map a project's value stream, create a pull-based system for tasks, and implement a culture of continuous improvement. By the end of this training, you will be able to apply lean principles to any project, large or small, to deliver higher quality results faster, with greater predictability, and with a stronger focus on the end-user's needs.

Duration: 10 Days

Target Audience

• Project managers
• Program managers
• Team leads and facilitators
• Business analysts
• Product owners
• Operations managers
• Process improvement specialists
• Lean practitioners
• Scrum masters
• Anyone interested in improving project efficiency

Objectives

• Understand the core principles of lean management.
• Identify and eliminate the seven wastes of projects.
• Map and analyze a project's value stream.
• Apply the concept of "pull" to project workflows.
• Implement a continuous improvement mindset.
• Increase project speed and efficiency.
• Maximize value delivery to stakeholders.
• Reduce rework and unnecessary complexity.
• Foster a culture of learning and collaboration.
• Integrate lean practices with agile methodologies.

Course Modules

Module 1: Foundations of Lean Management

• The history and philosophy of lean
• The five lean principles
• The concept of value vs. waste
• Lean thinking applied to knowledge work
• Core tenets of a lean organization

Module 2: The Seven Wastes of Projects

• Identifying and understanding the seven wastes
• Overproduction, waiting, and transport
• Inefficiency of inventory, motion, and defects
• The waste of unused human talent
• Practical examples and a waste-hunting exercise

Module 3: Value Stream Mapping

• What is value stream mapping
• How to create a current-state map
• Identifying value-add vs. non-value-add activities
• Creating a future-state map for improvement
• Using the map to find and remove waste

Module 4: Pull Systems and Flow

• The difference between push and pull systems
• Implementing a pull-based workflow
• Using Kanban boards to visualize work
• Limiting work in progress (WIP)
• Improving flow and reducing lead time

Module 5: Continuous Improvement (Kaizen)

• The philosophy of Kaizen
• Implementing continuous improvement cycles
• The Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle
• Fostering a culture of small, iterative changes
• The role of retrospectives and feedback loops

Module 6: Standardized Work

• What is standardized work
• Creating standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• The benefits of consistency and repeatability
• Balancing standardization with flexibility
• Maintaining and improving standards over time

Module 7: The Lean Project Lifecycle

• A deep dive into a lean project's phases
• From problem definition to final delivery
• Iterative development and frequent releases
• Building quality in from the start
• The importance of continuous learning

Module 8: Tools for Lean Project Management

• Overview of key lean tools and techniques
• 5S and visual management
• A3 problem-solving reports
• Root cause analysis (5 Whys)
• Gemba walks and going to the source

Module 9: Lean and Agile Methodologies

• The relationship between lean and agile
• Integrating lean principles into Scrum
• Using Kanban to manage agile projects
• The lean-agile mindset
• Scaling lean practices in large organizations

Module 10: Value-Driven Leadership

• The role of a lean project leader
• Leading by example and coaching the team
• Fostering a respectful and trusting environment
• Empowering team members to own their work
• The importance of humility and curiosity

Module 11: Customer Value and Voice

• Defining value from the customer's perspective
• Techniques for gathering customer feedback
• Building a feature roadmap based on value
• Avoiding unnecessary features and scope creep
• Delivering the right product to the right person

Module 12: Communication and Collaboration

• The importance of transparency and open communication
• Visualizing work for all stakeholders
• Stand-up meetings with a lean focus
• Collaborative problem-solving sessions
• The role of cross-functional teams

Module 13: Measuring Lean Success

• Beyond traditional metrics
• Measuring flow, lead time, and cycle time
• Using value stream metrics to show progress
• Quantifying waste and its impact
• Reporting on value delivered to the business

Module 14: Challenges and Mitigation

• Overcoming resistance to lean change
• Dealing with organizational silos
• The myth of "more is better"
• Maintaining lean practices in a busy environment
• The importance of executive buy-in

Module 15: Implementing Lean in Your Organization

• Creating a lean project management pilot
• Training and coaching your team
• Building a roadmap for lean adoption
• The role of champions and change agents
• Communicating the benefits to the wider company

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.