This course is now full. For details on the next Introduction to Project Management course please contact hannah.weimers@nmk.co.uk.


This course is a general introduction to project management. It examines the role of the project manager and the structure of a project and the project team. The concept of planning as projection into the future and the use of risk analysis and management as a forecasting method are examined. The core elements of planning and tracking are introduced and the importance of quality reviews, testing and the QA process emphasised.

Some useful planning tools are explored, alongside common tasks such as the assignment of resources and the problem of structuring and budgeting projects in unfamiliar domains. Milestone tracking as a key tool for managing client expectations is discussed and the problem of progress visibility is considered from several angles.

Who the course is for

This course is suitable for producers, junior project managers, as well as designers, programmers, and anyone else interested in learning the fundamentals of project management within a new media environment.

Learning objectives

• What is a project? (and what is not)
• The big picture – what happens, who affects it, objectives and critical success factors
• The primary project stages
• The project team – roles and responsibilities and your personal strengths
• Project risk
• Capturing project objectives
• Breaking your project down – stages and making quality work for you
• Assigning resources and building the budget
• Incorporating quality
• Milestones, milestone tracking and change within stages
• Reporting, cost to complete and earned value
• Tracking and reporting on your project
• Introduction to change
• The problem of testing and release
• Closing the project

Preparation

• Investigate your company’s current project planning and management methods
• Produce a flow diagram that describes the process
• Identify current roles and responsibilities

Tools illustrated

• Project structures
• Risk management framework
• Project stages
• Work breakdown structures
• Milestones and milestone charts
• Milestone tracking template
• Basic change management

Workshop sessions

• Risk identification and management
• Work breakdown structures
• Using quality reviews as project gates
• Milestone charts and tracking
• Milestone tracking template