The Certified Project Director (CPD) Training Course is the highest-level certification in project management, designed for senior executives and experienced project professionals who want to demonstrate mastery in managing complex, large-scale, and strategic projects. This program goes beyond traditional project management, focusing on leadership, governance, portfolio management, risk control, and advanced decision-making strategies. It equips participants with the expertise required to direct multi-million-dollar projects and lead global teams effectively.

As organizations strive for sustainable growth, there is an increasing demand for leaders who can align projects with business strategy, manage stakeholders at the executive level, and deliver consistent results under uncertainty. The CPD certification is globally recognized as the premier credential for project leadership, providing professionals with the skills and credibility to take on the most challenging roles in project, program, and portfolio management across industries.

Duration: 10 Days

Target Audience

• Senior project managers aspiring for executive leadership roles
• Program and portfolio managers overseeing complex initiatives
• Executives responsible for organizational strategy and governance
• Professionals managing multi-sector or global projects
• Leaders preparing for the CPD certification exam

Course Objectives

• Develop mastery in directing complex and strategic projects
• Strengthen leadership and governance in project environments
• Learn advanced tools for risk, quality, and stakeholder management
• Align project outcomes with organizational vision and strategy
• Prepare effectively for the Certified Project Director (CPD) certification exam

Course Modules

Module 1: Introduction to Certified Project Director Framework

• Overview of CPD certification and global recognition
• Project leadership versus project management
• Core competencies of a project director
• Role of governance in strategic projects
• Key challenges in directing complex initiatives

Module 2: Strategic Project Leadership

• Linking projects to organizational strategy
• Executive decision-making in projects
• Building leadership credibility and influence
• Navigating organizational politics
• Leading change through projects

Module 3: Project Governance and Compliance

• Principles of effective project governance
• Governance structures and frameworks
• Role of the board and steering committees
• Ensuring compliance and accountability
• Auditing and governance best practices

Module 4: Program and Portfolio Management

• Difference between projects, programs, and portfolios
• Portfolio alignment with strategic objectives
• Prioritization and resource allocation techniques
• Monitoring portfolio performance
• Balancing risks across portfolios

Module 5: Advanced Stakeholder Engagement

• Identifying and mapping key stakeholders
• Communication strategies for executives
• Negotiation and conflict resolution
• Building trust and long-term relationships
• Engaging stakeholders in decision-making

Module 6: Risk Leadership in Large-Scale Projects

• Identifying high-impact risks
• Enterprise risk management (ERM) in projects
• Crisis leadership and decision-making under pressure
• Risk-adjusted project planning
• Case studies of project risk failures and lessons learned

Module 7: Financial and Investment Analysis for Projects

• Cost-benefit analysis for strategic projects
• Capital budgeting and investment decisions
• Financial performance indicators
• Funding and financing models for mega projects
• Reporting financial outcomes to executives

Module 8: Resource Leadership and Talent Management

• Leading global and cross-functional teams
• Resource allocation for complex initiatives
• Talent acquisition and development strategies
• Building high-performance cultures
• Managing workforce diversity in projects

Module 9: Advanced Project Scheduling and Control

• Scheduling for large-scale projects
• Multi-project dependencies and integration
• Critical chain and advanced scheduling tools
• Controlling performance across portfolios
• Tools for real-time monitoring and reporting

Module 10: Quality Assurance and Excellence

• Total Quality Management (TQM) in projects
• Establishing project quality frameworks
• Performance standards and benchmarking
• Continuous improvement culture
• Case studies of excellence in project delivery

Module 11: Innovation and Change Leadership

• Driving innovation through projects
• Disruptive technologies and their impact
• Leading digital transformation projects
• Managing cultural change within organizations
• Sustaining innovation in the project lifecycle

Module 12: Negotiation and Contract Management

• High-level negotiation strategies
• Contractual obligations in global projects
• Dispute resolution frameworks
• Vendor and supplier relationship management
• Legal considerations in international projects

Module 13: Communication and Influence at Executive Levels

• Crafting persuasive executive presentations
• Using data-driven insights for influence
• Communication strategies for boards and sponsors
• Crisis communication planning
• Leveraging influence to gain stakeholder buy-in

Module 14: Ethical Leadership and Corporate Responsibility

• Ethics and integrity in project leadership
• Corporate social responsibility (CSR) in projects
• Building sustainable project practices
• Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations
• Case studies of ethical leadership challenges

Module 15: Preparing for CPD Certification Exam

• CPD exam structure and domains
• Study techniques and strategies
• Practice questions and exam simulations
• Time management in the exam setting
• Application process and certification requirements

Module 16: Capstone Project and Executive Workshop

• Real-world project simulation exercise
• Group collaboration on mega-project case study
• Application of CPD principles to strategic projects
• Peer and facilitator feedback sessions
• Final project presentation and evaluation

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.