Archives for the Programme Management category

Within the PRINCE2 framework, the relationship between the corporate/programme management and the project management is important to define, especially with regard to progress. In this post, we’ll explain the roles that corporate/programme management (hitherto c/p management) must fulfill and clearly set out the responsibilities of the project management in terms of notifying and updating c/p management on the progress of the project.

You can learn how to apply PRINCE2 to your projects on our PRINCE2 Practitioner Course.

Philosophy

For c/p management, it’s about spending as little time as possible involved in the project whilst still maintaining overall control. This is termed ‘management by exception’. Effectively this means that the c/p management approve  the initial project plan and it’s constraints, and then receive weekly or monthly updates (or whatever interval is appropriate for the time-frame) from the project management. So long as everything is running within the approved constraints, there should be no need for regular face-to-face meetings.

If the project does go outside of these pre-approved parameters then it is the c/p management’s prerogative as to whether a review meeting is necessary.

Aside from overall approval of the direction and parameters of the project, the c/p management has other responsibilities to ensure the project runs effectively: Read the rest of "PRINCE2: Corporate/Programme Management Controls"

Posted by Andy Trainer in News, Programme Management, Project Management on December 17th, 2012| No Comments »

Claudine trains our MSP and PRINCE2 courses, with a wealth of experience in both project and programme management. In this post, she shares her tips for using risk management to reduce issues during projects and programmes.

Many of us are familiar with fighting fires and dealing with crises when we are managing projects or programmes, but what is the best way of handling them and can they be prevented?

The first step to managing these situations effectively is to have in place a risk management approach. Risks are uncertain events that if they were to occur could have a positive or a negative impact on your project or programme. By having in place an approach to manage these uncertain events, many can be mitigated and may never materialise as an issue.

Issues sometimes arise as a result of an event occurring which if identified early enough as a risk, could have been prevented.

So how are risks best managed?

Firstly, find out if your organisation has a standard approach to risk management, as a consistent approach should be used. If not, a few simple steps should be followed: Read the rest of "Reduce Project Issues with Effective Risk Management"

Posted by Claudine in News, Programme Management, Project Management on September 20th, 2012| No Comments »

By popular demand, we present our downloadable MSP Practitioner Exam Tips PDF. We created this to help prepare those coming on our MSP Practitioner course for the exam, and have since been overwhelmed by how valuable it has proven to be!

The MSP Practitioner Exam is taken on the final day of our MSP Practitioner training course. We are very proud of our pass rates – so proud in fact that we offer a MSP exam pass guarantee!

We feel that one of the reasons our training has such good results – both in terms of exam pass rates and feedback from delegates after returning to work – is that we provide extensive support before the course begins and once it’s under way. This download is just one way we put together workbooks and resources above and beyond the MSP manual.

Of course, knowledge of MSP theory is needed to pass the practitioner exam, and the course covers this in depth. Our trainers also provide real life case studies to help put the theory into context and to make your training easy to apply once you return to work. Finally, we provide focused exam tips to help you understand what will be expected of you during the exam. Read the rest of "MSP Exam Tips – Free Download"

Posted by Andy Trainer in News, Programme Management on July 20th, 2012| No Comments »

New technology develops at an alarming rate. Business gets more competitive by the day; demands for speed and quality require new thinking and revised processes. Here we list some current trends and challenges for project managers.

Today’s project managers need to update their processes in line with business, customer and stakeholder expectations. Collaboration is a common theme.

We offer APMG accredited PRINCE2 Training and MSP Training courses at our training centre in Brighton, but we can also come to your premises for training. Call us on 01273 622272 for a quote.

Adoption of Collaborative Software Solutions

The use of collaborative technologies is on the rise. The use of Google Docs and SharePoint is becoming more commonplace. Virtual workers and projects require efficient ways of communication and collaboration.

Automatic and central distribution and control of documents has never been easier.

Agile Project Management

As projects become increasingly complex, project managers need to be increasingly flexible. Businesses and organisations are beginning to adopt Agile Project Management practices and combining them with traditional project management. Many are using Agile to inform and develop a new set of strategies for coping with projects, adapting methods for team collaboration and communication.

Agile Project Management Training enables you to gain Agile Practitioner Certification, enabling you to successfully manage Agile projects. Read the rest of "The Future of Project Management"

Posted by Andy Trainer in News, Programme Management, Project Management on March 23rd, 2012| 2 Comments »

MSP Training

MSP (which stands for Managing Successful Programmes) is the de-facto standard methodology for Programme Management in the UK.

Silicon Beach Training offer MSP Training in Brighton, Sussex, including MSP Foundation Training and MSP Practitioner Training

What is a Programme?

Whilst Project Management is about controlling a project, Programme Management is concerned with controlling a group of related projects.

How to Define a Programme with MSP

MSP provides a structured framework for managing programmes, and one of the very first of these steps is to define your Programme.

The basis for developing the programme definition in MSP is The Programme Brief. This also provides the basis for the programme’s strategies and plans for programme governance.  The Programme Brief is a very important document, as it provides the basis for deciding whether to even proceed with the programme or not! Detailed planning of the programme is essential, and the Programme Brief is where this is undertaken.

The MSP Programme Brief is used as the starting point for creating a Programme Definition Document. This document outlines

• What your MSP programme is going to do
• How it’s going to do it
• Who is involved in the Programme
• How the Programme will be controlled
• The justification for going forward with the Programme

From this point, the Business Case and governance are now developed.

You can learn more about the structure of MSP by attending one of our accredited MSP Foundation Training or MSP Practitioner Training courses in Brighton, Sussex.

Posted by Andy Trainer in News, Programme Management on December 8th, 2010| No Comments »

A blueprint is a model of the organisation, its working practices and processes, the information it requires and the technology that supports its operations. The blueprint provides a useable basis for modelling benefits and designing the Projects Dossier. The Blueprint is used throughout the programme to maintain the focus on delivery of the new capability.

It is created in Defining a Programme with the Benefits Map, Project Dossier, Programme Plan, Benefits Realisation Plan and Business Case. The Blueprint will then be reviewed at the end of each tranche.

Silicon Beach Training offer great MSP Training, you can try MSP Foundation Training and MSP Practitioner Training in Brighton, Sussex.

Copyright Statements

Posted by Andy Trainer in News, Programme Management on November 25th, 2010| No Comments »

Leadership is part of how stakeholders are engaged. Programme managers need to think of stakeholder engagement not just as a system of tasks and managing things, but also as a way of achieving influence and positive outcomes through effective management of relationships.

Come along to Silicon Beach Training’s MSP Training, we offer MSP Foundation Training and MSP Practitioner Training in Brighton, Sussex.

Programme success relies on co-operative contributions and support from all involved.  Some will support and others oppose, some will benefit and see opportunity, others will see threat, and some will be indifferent.  The key to success is to understand and address all views.  A continuing and two-way approach to communications is essential between the programme and its stakeholders to secure commitment and maintain momentum.

The diagram below shows the steps involved in stakeholder engagement:

Benefits are the measurable improvements resulting from an outcome which are perceived as being an advantage by a stakeholder. The objectives of benefits realisation are to:

Read the rest of "MSP Themes: Leadership and Stakeholder Management"

Posted by Andy Trainer in News, Programme Management on November 25th, 2010| No Comments »

This can be described as the programme’s time based to-do list. By contrast the themes can be seen as the reference manual. If the flow required actions, then the themes should provide guidance on how it should be done.

Would you like MSP Training? Silicon Beach run regular MSP Foundation courses and MSP Practitioner courses in Brighton, Sussex.

Each process describes inputs, activities, outputs, controls and roles. There are also typical responsibilities summarised in a table at the end of each chapter. Please note that these may need to be adapted and extended for each programme. The Transformational Flow is represented at the centre of the diagram -

Copyright Statements

Posted by Andy Trainer in News, Programme Management on November 25th, 2010| No Comments »