Best Practices for the Multi-Project Manager

Ace multiple-project assignments by balancing time and resources. This updated seminar provides you with examples of best practices within the profession. Learn how to develop a culture for consistent, standardized Multi-Project Management (MPM) practices, utilize proven metrics for MPM performance and implement innovative tools and techniques for successful completion of multiple projects.

Who Should Attend

This seminar is designed for project managers who are working on multiple projects simultaneously and would like to learn tips and techniques to improve their effectiveness and efficiency.

How Will You Benefit

• Align work and projects with the strategic direction of the organization
• Keep projects on track and on budget
• Set and maintain priorities
• Improve communication on all projects
• Increase your effectiveness and efficiency
• Determine your organization’s ability to conduct additional projects

What Will Be Covered

Projects and the Enterprise

• Describe the role projects play within the organization
• Demonstrate how projects act as change agents in the organization
• Identify techniques to prioritize projects effectively

Project Resourcing

• Describe how to allocate the necessary resources to projects
• How to negotiate for the right resources to get your projects done
• Determine the ability of the organization to take on more projects
• Identify MPM tools and practices required for success
• The vital importance of utilization in the context of MPM
• How to effectively gain the resources your projects require
• Multitasking and its effect on project outcomes

Standardizing the Approach to Project Communications

• Using a standard communication plan across all projects
• Running an effective meeting as a multi-project manager
• Characteristics of successful meetings

Measuring Project Metrics

• Identify effective project reporting techniques
• How to reduce and streamline administrative work
• Characteristics of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Develop and Track KPIs to assess a project’s “health”
• How to use dashboards and other tools to measure project success

Effectively Managing Stakeholders

• How best to maintain project expectations
• Why stakeholder management is important
• The different types and roles of stakeholders
• Define the role of project communications planning
• Describe how changes to the project impacts stakeholder expectations

Summary: Achieving Best Practices in Multi-Project Management

• Consistency in project management practices
• Cultural characteristics needed for MPM
• Organizational responsibility

Outline

Learning Objectives

• Align Projects with the Strategic Direction of the Organization to Enable Better Decision Making Within and Across Projects
• Create a Holistic View of Your Multi-Project Environment
• Use Project Management Tools to Understand the Relationships Between Concurrent Projects
• Create a Balance of Resource Supply and Demand Across Multiple Projects
• Use a Communication Matrix with Your Team
• Ensure That All Project Statuses Are Uniformly Maintained
• Explain How to Manage Stakeholders Across Projects with Conflicting Resources
• Use Influence Skills to Manage Stakeholders Who Are in Conflict with One Another

Projects and the Organization

• Describe the Role That Projects Play as Change Agents Within an Organization
• Determine Whether an Organization Should Pursue a Certain Project
• Discuss How Organizations Prioritize Projects
• Establish a Multi-Project Architecture

Planning and Resourcing in a Multi-Project Environment

• Explain the Importance of Creating Project Charters in a Multi-Project Environment
• Describe the Value of Creating a Scope Statement
• Design and Utilize a WBS to Determine the Total Scope in a Multi-Project Environment
• Describe a Method of Sequencing Activities When Managing Projects
• Utilize Best Practices for Estimating Activity Resources and Duration
• Create a Plan for Improving and Optimizing Resource Use Across Projects

Communicating in a Multi-Project Environment

• Discuss the Challenges of Communicating Across Multiple Teams
• Create a Multi-Project Communication Plan
• Apply the Earned Value Method Within and Across Projects
• Weight Milestones When Measuring Value Across Projects

Stakeholder and Change Management in a Multi-Project Environment

• Explain the Importance of Managing Stakeholder Expectations Across Projects
• Describe the Process of Stakeholder Identification
• Utilize a Stakeholder Register
• Conduct a Stakeholder Analysis
• Leverage Influence Strategies to Manage Conflict Between Stakeholders
• Apply Best Practices for Managing Change Across Projects