Project Management Training Podcasts

22. Budgeting and Cost Control - This budget discusses the ability to estimate costs, develop and agree budgets and monitor actual costs against forecast costs, and covers: a) How to create a budget (including the use of a cost breakdown structure) and the different costs included in a budget (fixed, variable, direct, indirect etc.) b) How to forecast and refine budgets using cost control techniques e.g. earned value. c) How to monitor and report financial performance (including different types of financial reports). d) How to close down finances at the end of a project. 

21. Resource Management - This podcast discusses the ability to identify and schedule the required internal and external resources, and covers: a) How to determine the resources required and their availability to deliver activities within a project. b) How an organisational breakdown structure is used to create a responsibility assignment matrix (RACI). c) How resources are categorised and allocated to both linear and iterative life cycle schedules. d) The differences between resource smoothing and resource levelling.

20. Schedule Management - This podcast discusses the ability to undertake time-based planning with an emphasis on activities and resource, and covers: a) How to define scope in terms of outputs, outcomes and benefits (including the use of product, work and cost breakdown structures). b) The links and dependencies between activities within a project and business-as-usual activities, for example how business-as-usual activities, costs, quality, risks and scope can all impact the schedule for the project. 

19. Integrated Planning - This podcast discusses the ability to incorporate multiple plans and processes into an integrated project management plan, and covers: a) The format for an effective integrated project management plan and its typical contents. b) The importance of producing an integrated project management plan.

5. Procurement - This podcast discusses securing the provision of resources, choosing strategies for obtaining best value from supply chains, and covers: a) The purpose and importance of a procurement strategy and the typical contents of a procurement strategy. b) The stages of a supplier selection process, including how to plan the procurement process and conduct negotiations (for example ZOPA, BATNA and ‘Win Win’).  c) The features of different contractual relationships and why different methods of supplier reimbursement are used and when it is appropriate to use them (including fixed price, cost plus fee, per unit quantity and target cost). 

17. Solutions Development - This podcast discusses the ability to determine the optimal solution to satisfy agreed requirements, and covers: a) How to evaluate and prioritise requirements in order to deliver the optimal solution, and the different approaches for different life cycle models, e.g. the use of MVP and MMP in iterative life cycles.

16. Requirements Management - This podcast discusses the ability to capture and monitor the requirements of a project, and covers: a) How to establish scope through requirements management processes (such as gather, analysis, justifying requirements and baseline needs). b) How to manage scope through configuration management processes (such as planning, identification, control, status accounting and verification audit).

10. Stakeholder Engagement and Communication Management - This podcast discusses the ability to work with people internally and externally to achieve intended outcomes, and covers: a) The relationship between stakeholder analysis, influence and engagement. b) The relationship between stakeholder analysis and an effective communication management plan. c) The benefits to a project of a communication plan. d) The importance of managing stakeholder expectations to the success of the project. e) The range of communication methods available and the importance of tailoring messaging to meet stakeholder requirements. f) The factors which can positively or negatively affect communication. 

9. Benefits Management - This podcast discusses benefits management as the monitoring of benefits realisation throughout a project, and covers: a) What is meant by benefits management (including identification, definition, planning, tracking and realisation). b) The importance of aligning benefits with strategic objectives and ways in which the benefits of a project can be communicated to stakeholders.

4. Business Case - This podcast discusses the business case as the justification for the initiation, investment and/or continuation of a project in terms of benefits, costs and risks, and it covers: a) The tools and techniques used to determine factors which influence and impact a project’s business case (including PESTLE, SWOT and VUCA). b) The importance of regularly reviewing the impact of any changes in a project to the business case, and how the business case forms the baseline for the project. 

2. Governance arrangements - This podcast discusses governance structures as a framework of  authority and accountability for the delivery of a project, which align with organisational practice, and covers: a) Knowledge of different types of permanent and temporary organisation structures and their features (including functional, matrix, and project),and that an organisation’s governance approach will inform the approach used for a project. b) Why there are distinct roles within project management and what the responsibilities of each role are (including users, project team members, the project manager, the project steering group/board and the product owner), and the differences in responsibilities of the project manager and project sponsor throughout the project.  c) Why aspects of project management governance are required (such as the use of policies, regulations, functions, processes, procedures and delegated responsibilities), and the impact of a project’s life cycle on its governance framework and the l

12. Leadership - This podcast discusses leadership as the way to empower and inspire others to deliver successful projects, and covers: a) How leadership impacts on team performance and motivation (using models such as Maslow, Herzberg and McGregor). b) Why it may be necessary to change leadership styles depending upon the situation. c) The importance of a coaching and mentoring style in leadership, and the role of emotional intelligence. 

6. Reviews - This podcast discusses how reviews are a way of gathering information to provide an assessment on the status of a project and the ongoing viability of the work, and covers: a) The benefits of conducting reviews throughout the life cycle (including decision gates, benefits reviews and audits). b) The factors which would typically be reported on to help ensure successful project outcomes. c) The importance of producing information and collecting data to inform decision making and communicate actions and decisions to stakeholders.  d) Why activities may be re-planned after a review.

7. Assurance - This podcast discusses the ability of assurance to provide confidence to the governance board that a project is on track to deliver its objectives and the purpose of assurance within a project, including awareness of the scope, priorities and strategic aims of assurance activities.  

8. Transition Management - This podcast discusses the integration of the outputs of a project into business-as-usual, and covers: a) The basic requirements needed to support a successful transition, including considering business-as-usual throughout a project and planning for transition from the outset of the project. b) The importance of knowledge transfer in the transition process, including learning from experience and continuous improvement. c) How to engage stakeholders to agree a transition plan, including transfer of risks. 

1. Life cycles - This podcast discusses the distinct life cycle stages used to structure and organise a project, and covers: a) The distinctive features of linear, iterative and hybrid life cycles (including why projects are structured as phases in linear life cycles) and when each is applicable.  b) The differences between a project life cycle and an extended life cycle. c) How the context and culture of an organisation, and the needs of a specific project, influence the choice of life cycle and any adaptations that may be needed to the life cycle. d) The strengths and limitations of different life cycles.

2.1 Critically Evaluate Tools, Techniques, and Leadership Behaviours Tools and Techniques: The podcast discusses utilizing the Tuckman model (forming, storming, norming, performing) as a framework to understand team development stages. It emphasizes the importance of trust and confidence through practical approaches like kick-off meetings, social events, and fulfilling commitments. Leadership Behaviours: Effective leadership in project management is highlighted through the necessity of establishing trust and confidence. Leaders are advised to under-promise and over-deliver, ensure clear communication of expectations, and actively maintain commitments to build credibility within the team. 2.2 Critically Analyse Response to Changes in Project’s Environment The dialogue explores the adaptation to changes in a project's environment, emphasizing the need for flexibility in leadership styles. It discusses the situational application of leadership models like Hersey and Blanchard, and Max Landsberg's skill-will mode

1.1 Critically Evaluate Ethical, Flexible, Inspirational, and Collaborative Approaches to the Leadership of Others in Evolving Situations The discussion emphasises the multifaceted nature of leadership within the context of project management, highlighting the need for leaders to exhibit ethical, flexible, inspirational, and collaborative behaviors. Ethical leadership involves openness, honesty, and integrity, ensuring transparency and trust within the team. Flexibility in leadership styles is crucial to adapt to varying team and stakeholder needs, fostering an environment where the project manager's approach evolves based on situational demands. Inspirational leadership focuses on motivating and encouraging team members towards achieving project goals, cultivating a sense of purpose and commitment. Collaborative leadership underlines the importance of engaging with the team in problem-solving and decision-making processes, promoting inclusivity and collective ownership of project outcomes. 1.2 Critically Ana

In this podcast, Paul Naybour and Tom O'Shea explore the complexities of benefits management within project governance, with a specific focus on the APM's PPQ qualification. They highlight the critical nature of ensuring that benefits are measurable, meaningful to stakeholders, and align with an organisation's strategic objectives. The conversation delves into developing a benefits management strategy, emphasising the importance of setting priorities, assigning responsibilities, and defining timescales. The significance of prioritising benefits based on their contribution to strategic objectives is a key point of discussion. Naybour and O'Shea also address the creation of a benefits realisation plan, considering factors such as funding, tracking, monitoring, and scheduling. They explore strategies to maximise the achievement of planned benefits, including integrating benefit considerations into project design and management. Throughout the podcast, the importance of project managers' understanding and active

In this podcast, Paul Naybour and Tom O'Shea discuss change control in project management, focusing on four key areas: the benefits and features of effective change control processes, methods for capturing, recording, and reviewing change options, implementing and managing approved changes, and the use of trend analysis. They emphasise the importance of understanding change control's rationale, the need for structured management approaches, and the role of trend analysis in project improvement. The discussion also highlights the challenges in adapting change control processes in dynamic project environments, underscoring the necessity of clear communication and documentation updates.