Project Management Live
 

About the training

The training is designed for everyone who is involved in projects in one way or another (project managers, project leaders, coordinators, staff and line superiors).

A detailed project management simulated game illustrates in a highly effective way how the dynamics of project groups evolve where several projects and day-to-day tasks have to be tackled simultaneously. Attention focuses on existing interrelations between project planning and control, communication and information.

The analysis of the simulated game leads on to the project management dimensions that influence project dynamics. These statements are compared with the participants' own project experiences. They serve as a checklist for future project undertakings.

Objective

The participants

• reproduce typical corporate project dynamics in the simulated game

• can use the results to draw valuable conclusions about their own project work

• experience how project dynamics evolve

• reflect on their own conduct as a project participant

• use this experience to take a critical look at the 5 dimensions of project management

• transfer the dimensions to their own project experiences and so develop a personal structuring aid

Method

Organization of a broad-based project management simulated game in which a matrix structure is created; this matrix structure includes several departments and requires several projects to be managed by different project teams.

Different project-specific dynamics quickly evolve and shape the respective course of the projects. During the subsequent analysis phase events can be traced back to their respective causes - for example ambiguous communication processes or the absence of a clear project structure.

The video feedback analysis on the second day leads on to a clear presentation of the key dimensions of project management which require special consideration.

Procedure

Day 1:

• Start of training

• Introduction to the simulated games

• Playing of the simulated game: The dynamics evolve in accordance with psychological principles

Day 2:

• Evaluation by the participants: Comparing self image and perceived image

• Feedback by observers and trainers: an external viewpoint

• Feedback based on the video log: the camcorder as a "neutral" observer

• Relating processes to key project management dimensions

Day 3:

• Comparing the dimensions with participants' project experiences

• Ensuring transfer to future project work

• End of training