In today's dynamic project landscape, the ability to integrate change management seamlessly into project delivery is no longer a luxury but a critical competency for project managers. Projects inherently drive change, impacting people, processes, and technology, yet often fail due to insufficient attention to the human element. This comprehensive training course is meticulously designed to equip project managers with the strategic foresight and practical tools needed to anticipate, understand, and effectively manage the people side of their projects, ensuring successful adoption and sustained benefits.

This intensive five-day program moves beyond traditional project management methodologies to offer a hands-on blueprint for integrating change management activities into every phase of the project lifecycle. Participants will learn how to diagnose resistance, build buy-in, and communicate with empathy and clarity, transforming potential obstacles into opportunities for engagement and accelerated adoption. By the end of this course, you will possess the strategic insights and practical tools to lead projects that not only meet technical specifications but also achieve their desired organizational outcomes through effective people-centric change.

Duration: 5 days

Target Audience:

• Project Managers
• Program Managers
• Project Coordinators
• Business Analysts
• Team Leaders
• Change Management Professionals
• Agile Coaches and Scrum Masters
• Operations Managers overseeing projects
• IT Project Leads
• Anyone responsible for delivering projects that impact people

Objectives:

• Understand the critical link between project management and change management.
• Develop an integrated approach to planning and executing projects with change in mind.
• Master techniques for diagnosing organizational readiness and resistance to change.
• Enhance communication and stakeholder engagement skills for project success.
• Learn to embed change management activities into the project lifecycle.
• Build resilient project teams capable of thriving amidst change.
• Identify and mitigate risks associated with the human side of projects.
• Measure the impact of change management on project outcomes.
• Create a personalized action plan for integrating change management into your projects.

Course Modules:

Module 1: The Project Manager as a Change Leader

• Understanding the inherent change in every project
• The value proposition of integrating change management
• Differentiating between project management and change management roles
• The project manager's influence on change adoption
• Case studies of projects that succeeded or failed due to change management

Module 2: Integrating Change into Project Planning

• Conducting a change impact assessment early in the project lifecycle
• Identifying key stakeholders and their potential reactions to the project
• Developing a change management strategy aligned with project objectives
• Incorporating change activities into the project schedule and budget
• Defining success metrics for both project delivery and change adoption

Module 3: Stakeholder Engagement for Project Success

• Advanced techniques for stakeholder mapping and analysis
• Crafting tailored communication plans for diverse project stakeholders
• Building a coalition of project sponsors and champions
• Managing expectations and addressing concerns throughout the project
• Leveraging stakeholder input to refine project scope and design

Module 4: Communication and Buy-in Strategies

• Crafting clear, consistent, and compelling messages about the project's impact
• Communicating the "why" and the benefits of the project to end-users
• The power of active listening and empathetic dialogue
• Handling difficult conversations and project-related resistance
• Creating a feedback loop from affected groups to the project team

Module 5: Managing Resistance in Projects

• Understanding common sources of resistance to project-driven change
• Identifying and addressing different types of resistors
• Implementing proactive strategies to mitigate resistance
• Empowering project team members to address resistance effectively
• Turning project skeptics into project advocates

Module 6: Training, Coaching, and Support

• Designing effective training programs for new systems or processes
• The role of coaching and mentoring for impacted individuals
• Providing ongoing support and resources during the transition
• Creating a post-implementation support plan
• Measuring the effectiveness of training and support initiatives

Module 7: Sustaining Project Outcomes and Benefits Realization

• Strategies for embedding new processes and behaviors post-project launch
• Defining and tracking benefits realization beyond project go-live
• Establishing governance mechanisms for sustained change
• Learning from project successes and challenges for future initiatives
• The project manager's role in ensuring long-term value from the change

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 7 working days before commencement of the training.