Registrations for ILX’s upcoming PRINCE2 seminar hosted in Wellington on 11^th November 2010 6-7pm are closing soon.

• Are you looking to enhance your project management capabilities?
• Are you looking for the right project management methodology for your organisation?
• Do you want to know more about PRINCE2 before you commit to a course?

If so come and learn what PRINCE2, the world’s most successful project management methodology, can do for you.

How to Register

To take advantage of this great opportunity, register now online at no cost – there are limited places remaining so don’t delay!

NZ Wellington Seminar Nov 2010 Information

http://blog.prince2.com/2010/07/top-15-iphone-apps-for-project-managers/

The following article from e.learning age by Eddie Kilkelly of ILX Group may give you some insight as to why more and more are choosing elearning over face to face courses.

http://www.ilxgroup.com/docs/press/elearningage-june2010.pdf

Give Murray Wills a call on (04) 931 9325 if you would like know more about ILX training.

1. As consultants, we are passionate about Governanace and the benefits that a project management methodology like PRINCE2 and the other OGC based qualifications can bring.
2. We believe that ILX is very well placed to be able to meet this demand with its elearning, mixed mode and face to face learning options.

eLearning is becoming a method of choice for a number of Companies and individuals. It is very cost effective, staff get more time to complete their studies than a 5 day face to face course, and retention rates of information are high. Check out the options at http://www.ilxgroup.com

Amanda studied both the foundation and practioner using e-learning material from the ILX Group. 

Amanda commented that “The material was excellent and I found the practice exam questions very helpful.  E-learning is a great way of fitting study around work and family commitments.”

At Maxsys we believe in eating our own cooking, and given that we are exam invigilators for PRINCE2® exams for ILX /APMG it makes sense that we would use ILX e-learning material ourselves. 

Well done Amanda.

If you need help in the area of project or programme management, methodologies, PMO reviews or setup, programme management tools, policy projects and so on. Please contact us for a chat.

Maxsys is an exam invigilator for ILX.

The professional Programme and Project Sponsorship (PPS) qualification has been developed specifically for Senior Responsible Owners (SROs) and Sponsors or Executives of programmes and projects and it is really needed. It is all very well implementing a project management methodology within an organisation, but if your project sponsors do not understand where what their responsibilities are then you will have issues.

The course is ideal taken as an elearning course, as executives can undertake the study when it suits them and at their own pace. The course is designed to take approximately 6-8 study hours.

Here is a link to the PPS (Programme and Project Sponsorship) course material.

http://cf.ilxgroup.com/demos/ppsdemo/default.htm

The qualification is based on OGC Best Practice Guidance and combines leadership ability with PPM skills.

The PPS syllabus has been split into four separate units to offer flexible half-day training modules:
• The role of the sponsor
• The sponsor working with people
• Identifying and establishing a programme/project
• The delivery journey.

The syllabus is methodology independent and uses generic terms as far as possible. However, it is assumed that candidates are familiar with Office of Government Commerce (OGC) Best Practice Guidance. Candidates should also be, or aspire to become, Programme and Project Sponsors, also known as SROs/Project Executives. These are typically at management or senior level in their organisations who often have responsibility for several programmes or projects.

What do SROs and Project Sponsors in the real world think about the need for training?

According to ILX, 83% of SROs polled believed that training in how to understand the role of the SRO; programme management language; and how to lead in a programme environment, would all have been useful when they first took on the role, according to a survey conducted by Moorhouse Consultancy.

The ILX Programme and Project Sponsorship e-learning course can be delivered via:

• CD – delegates can study anywhere, anytime, without the need for Internet access
• Corporate network – staff access the course on a shared network drive
• Intranet – staff access the e-learning course as a link on your Intranet
• Hosted Internet – ILX host the course so delegates can study anywhere at any time

Click here to find out more from the ILX site.

One organisation introduced a tool for programme management but limited its use to a small number of users.  The strategic benefits of the tool were not achieved and only some functionality was being used. 

In another organisation senior managers were half-hearted in their support for the tool and unsurprisingly the staff were half-hearted in their use of it.

There are many aspects to think about when  implementing a programme management tool;  some of the tips are:

• Remember it is all about the programme of work i.e. the projects as a whole body of work, tracking their progress and alignment to the strategic goals of the organisation.
• Treat the implementation of the tool as a project.  It should have an objective, tasks and success measures.
• The project needs a sponsor/owner who can champion the project and tool.
• The project needs the support of the CEO and  senior managers (financial, time, acknowledgment). If it is not supported you are wasting your time.
• Adapt the organisation’s project methodology to accommodate the tool (we have considerable experience in this area).
• Consider how widespread the tool will be implemented.  There are pros and cons to a limited implementation versus the whole organisation.
• Get IT onboard early so that any security and architectural aspects are covered off.
• Develop a communications and implementation plan.
• Introduce the use of the tool in stages i.e. identify functions that will provide quick success and concentrate on those first.
• Don’t underestimate the cultural change required.
• Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t introduce project management methodologies for policy projects. We have done it and you can.
• Offer training and on-going support.  Expecting staff to teach themselves will hinder the likelihood of success.

 About the Author:

Amanda Wills is a Director and Consultant of Maxsys Limited (http://www.maxsys.co.nz).  Maxsys consultants have experience acquired over many years in project management, IT and business management. Amanda heads Maxsys’ project and programme management consulting team and she is happy to discuss your needs in terms of implementing a project or programme methodology or tool. Amanda can be contacted by sending an email to amanda@maxsys.co.nz