projects and programmestraining for excellence

with Nick Graham and Inspirandum

project governanceportfolio and programme management

project managementPRINCE2® project management

project office

The Project Governance BriefingGovernance and the Project Board

Inspirandum

services

projectgovernance

PRINCE2® is a registered trade mark of AXELOS Limited

Page 2

Governance and the Project BoardThe responsibility for good governance within an individualproject lies not with the Project Manager but with the SteeringGroup or Project Board. That’s no different from the finalresponsibility for a department lying with the senior departmentalmanagers. It’s essential then that the Project Board membersunderstand their responsibilities, how to carry them out and when.This briefing provides exactly that, working through the time-spanof a project from kick-off to close down showing exactly what theyneed to do.NICK GRAHAM - DIRECTOR OF INSPIRANDUM LTD

This briefing explains the role of the Project Board (you may know it as aProject Steering Group) and what is involved in ensuring good governancein a project. It then works through the chronology of a project from kick-off through to project closure and evaluation. It explains at each point inthe project exactly what Project Board members should be looking forand checking, and what decisions they will need to make and when.

Where board members don’t fully understand project planningtechniques (such as product based planning, activity and resourceplanning and critical path) there is an option to extend the event to twodays to include training in these techniques. They are important sinceProject Board members will be approving plans and working on them withthe Project Manager, for example to look at the implications of aproblem. It is vital then, that they understand them.

This event is hard-hitting in that it has some very direct messages, such asthe ultimate responsibility of the board. But it is also friendly and helpful.

an outline

Nick is the author of several ‘ForDummies’ titles, renowned for their

straightforward style and practicality.

in brief

1 day, and can be extended to 2 days

delivered ‘in-company’

4 - 15 people, optimum 8 people

led by Nick Graham

Inspirandum is pleased to be amember of the UK Anti-Corruption Forum and supportsit’s stance to promote ethicalbusiness practice worldwide.

► Your vital job on the board - you’re no figurehead► The importance and place of project governance► Making sure that a project is set up correctly► Powerful controls including evidence-based reporting► Taking action where things go off-track

highlightsInspirandum

services

projectgovernance

Nick is a member of theInstitute of Directors (IoD)

“In God we trust. Allothers bring data.”

W. Edwards Deming

Page 3

This event is delivered ‘on-site’ for your organisation for those who areabout to serve on a Project Board, who already are on one, or who mayserve on one in the future.

The day involves instruction, but there is also time for discussion on howto run the attendees’ own projects. There are also a few practicalexercises to illustrate the sort of control and decision making needed.

The two day option adds in explanation of vital planning techniques, andhere there are a number of practical exercises to reinforce the material.

the deliveryThe briefing is primarily for top managers and directors to help them putin place effective project governance throughout the organisation.

Project audit staff and Project Steering Group (Project Board) memberscan also be included, but the briefing is usually better if focused solely ontop managers. That means that discussion can be completely open andfrank behind the closed door of the meeting room.

the audience

The Project BoardThe place of the Project Board and itsultimate responsibility for the projectRoles within the Project Board and thespecific responsibilitiesGood project governance, and thegovernance levels

Project kick-offWhat kick-off is all about, and the placeof the Outline Charter or Project BriefKey points for the Project Board tocheck to ensure that the project isviableThe kick-off decision - is this a project?

Project Planning StageThe vital importance of good planningProject controlsDelegating authority to the ProjectManager and how to set limitsEvidence-based reporting; managingwith facts not wishful thinkingThe ‘four dogs’ model for checking thata plan is realistic and achievableManaging quality and riskKey planning documents - the Charterand the Project Management Plan (orProject Initiation Documentation)The big go/no-go decision.

Project Delivery StagesRegular reporting and what to look forProject Board involvement if somethinggoes off trackProject Board involvement wherethings are beyond the ProjectManager’s delegated authorityStage Gates and the vital Project Boardchecks.

Closure and evaluationHow to be sure that everything is doneEvaluation and lessons learned

Discussion through the dayThe organisational contextThe fit with any existing project

Day-two optionProduct based planning - Work Breakdown Structure - Work Flow Diagram - Product DefinitionsActivity planning - Activity Networks - Critical Path - The Gantt ChartResource planning and the budget

the content

“A lot to take in in ashort period of time butpresented well by aclearly knowledgeableperson. Presentationwell structured, clearand concise”

Senior managerof a majormultinational company

What people say aboutInspirandum training

What people say aboutInspirandum training

“Nick clearly knowshis subject.”

Ed SmallboneBAE Systems

In the briefing, we give you a powerful ‘dashboard’report format so you can rapidly assess the healthof a project and spot warning signs of anyproblems. You can use the report format as it is oradapt it to suit your organisation.

“It’s not enough to do yourbest. You must know whatto do, then do your best.”

W. Edwards Deming

Page 4

+ 44 (0)1256 330129info@inspirandum.comwww.inspirandum.com

INSPIRING EXCELLENCE

PRIME is a registered trademark associated with the PRIME Project Management Method.

Inspirandum is a small specialised company built around the work of NickGraham. We are dedicated to highly professional training and consultancyon approaches and methods known to work and work well. In the field ofproject management we provide practical training and also specialise inthe PRIME® and PRINCE2® project methods.

Most companies talk of delivering excellence. In Inspirandum, repeatedfeedback from customers show that we routinely deliver it and a largeproportion of our work is repeat business. Customers include a very widevariety of public and private organisations from Government bodiesthrough very large international companies right down to independentconsultants.

the company

If you have any questions about the event, please do contact us and wewill be more than happy to give you any more detail you need.

To book one or more events for your organisation, again please contactus. We will be pleased to discuss pricing for the number of people youhave in mind and a suitable dates.

bookingOur Practical Project Management Courseis a dynamic, highly practical, four day event to equip yourproject staff to deliver projects successfully. It’s built carefullyto interface with the governance approach explained in thisevent and in the Project Governance Briefing for senior staff.

In the four day course we teach how to manage projects effectively andthat includes building in the information needed for governance.

Remember,

you can’t check what isn’t there!

Nick Graham MAPM MIoD is an experienced project manager, projectauthor and trainer with over 25 years of experience of projectmanagement. That experience has been across the private, public andcharity sectors enabling him to understand the dynamics and pressures indifferent organisations and communicate readily with managers in alltypes of organisation.

He has written a number of books and articles including four project titlesin the well-known ‘For Dummies’ series which is renowned forpracticality and ease of understanding; characteristics which align exactlywith Nick’s approach in this briefing.

Nick has worked with top managers in multinationals and plc’s in theprivate sector and management boards and senior management teams inthe public sector.

nick graham

This event is vitalProject Board members must understand their responsibilitiesand the project techniques involved. Would you appointsomeone to a key financial position if they didn’t understandbalance sheets?

aligned with

ISO 21500:2012Guidance for project

management

ISO 31000:2009Risk management - Principles

and guidelines

ISO 10006:2003Quality Management Systems

- Guidelines for qualitymanagement in projects

Using PRINCE2?See our PRINCE2 for the

Project Board event which isgeared to the PRINCE2 project

management approach.