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Project mngt

Project management: delivering successful scrutiny projects – future dates planned

Monday 24th May, 2010

£299.00

24/25 May 2010 – limited places and available on a first come first serve basis

Due to popular demand we are now looking at future dates. To register your interest please call 0207 187 7362 or email fateha.begum@cfps.org.uk
This event takes a plain English and common sense approach, and provides a wide range of skills which can be applied quickly once back in the office.

The programme leader has a Masters degree in business administration, is a qualified PRINCE 2 practitioner and has a public sector background. He has first hand experience of running complex and ‘politically sensitive’ projects through to smaller projects. The scrutiny components have been developed by one of Spirals senior consultants who was previously Head of Democratic Services and Scrutiny with a large county council.

Who should attend?

The core programme has now been tailored to ensure it is relevant and applicable to the needs of local authority scrutiny practitioners. There is no entry requirement for the programme as everyone will benefit from the hands on and practical nature of the programme. The programme has been designed with the following people in mind.

  • Someone who has just been given the opportunity to manage a project, but feel they need some practical skills and advice to get them started.
  • Project managers who have been working on small to medium size projects that would like a structure and framework to develop their skills.
  • Project teams that would like to work together and develop an outline project plan.
  • Project managers who feel they could be doing things better to help their projects run more smoothly.
  • People who would like to make a sideways move into project management, or would like to start applying for project management secondments.

The benefits of the programme

  • Cost effective with quick returns for both the individual and the organisation.
  • Practical skills and techniques in only two days – so less time away from the office.
  • Designed specifically to meet the needs of scrutiny practitioners.
  • Regular programmes – flexible and convenient, send one person or a whole team!

Main elements

The programme will provide scrutiny officers with the key skills needed to plan and deliver effective projects – but, unlike other courses of this type, it will also look at the role that Members play in scoping, monitoring and delivering work, and how the political process can impact on the work that officers do.

This is a vital development opportunity for new starters and experienced scrutineers alike, and is being designed and delivered on our behalf by a team of expert trainers with practical experience of local government, scrutiny, and working with members.

Specifically, Day 2 provides opportunities to work on scrutiny based projects.
Day 1

  • The importance of project management to you and your organisation.
  • The main characteristics of a project.
  • Why some projects are not successful.
  • System theory applied to projects – clarifying outcomes and outputs.
  • Stakeholders’ expectations.
  • A framework for delivering successful projects.
  • The information required to progress a project.
  • Project planning – tools and techniques.
  • Risk management and contingency planning.

Day 2 – drawing on issues and examples specific to scrutiny.

  • Practical ways to present your project – charts and critical path analysis.
  • How software packages could help.
  • Chunking up a project and the importance of stages.
  • Techniques for managing a project.
  • Being clear about what you want and how to manage quality.
  • Monitoring and reporting progress.
  • Project management skills.
  • Ending a project.

We are only able to offer 12 places at this event, but if interest outweighs available spaces we will be repeating this course later in the year. To book your place, please complete the attached booking form.


How to book:

Old Sessions House, Clerkenwell Green, London EC1R 0NA