To be able to effectively compete in the future, project management professionals will need to enhance their ability to “connect the dots” between projects, project management practices, and their company’s business practices. Simply stated, they must develop their business-savvy in addition to their technical savvy.
Q. What does it mean to be business-savvy, and how can project management professionals get there?
In this informative, content-intensive workshop, Gary R. Heerkens, answers these two questions AND provides participants with a considerable head start along the path to becoming business-savvy – as it relates to projects and project management.
First, Mr. Heerkens “sets the stage”, describing how (and why) project management is steadily evolving from a technically-focused discipline to a business-focused discipline. In short, this movement stems from the growing awareness that projects are actually financial investments.
After establishing the value of being business-savvy, Mr. Heerkens presents his “road map” for exactly how participants can become business-savvy. The road map has both a hard component (a list of knowledge, competencies, and skills) and a soft component (a list of supporting behaviors, actions, and personal tips). Participants will be asked to consider how they can put these competencies into practice.
For the remainder of the workshop, participants roll up their sleeves, joining Mr. Heerkens in a comprehensive study – with practice -- of five critical business-centric analytical techniques: (1) project financial analysis (ROI calculations); (2) ROI-based sensitivity analysis; (3) ROI-based scope change analysis; (4) alternatives analysis; and (5) business case preparation. In his signature “how to” style, Mr. Heerkens walks participants through the proper execution of all five techniques, step-by-step
As an added bonus, participants will receive four valuable takeaways:
- A copy of “The Business-Savvy Project Management Learning Map”
- Spreadsheets that automate the process of making project ROI calculations
- An electronic spreadsheet tool for conducting an alternatives analysis
- A template (and guidelines) for preparing a comprehensive project business case
Skill Level: Intermediate/Advanced |
Gary R. Heerkens, PMP, CPM, CBM, PE
President, Management Solutions Group
Gary R. Heerkens, president of Management Solutions Group, managed projects for Eastman Kodak for over 20 years. He is a long-time training provider for the Project Management Institute and ProjectWorld, a frequent speaker at project management conferences, and has published a variety of articles for leading project management publications. He has been formally credentialed by the Project Management Institute, the International Association of Program and Project Management, the Association for Professionals in Business Management, and is a licensed Professional Engineer. He authored a best-selling book on project management for McGraw-Hill's Briefcase Books series. His second book, The Business-Savvy Project Manager, was published in early 2006. |
