Managing Projects in Human Resources: Training and Developement

by Martin, Vivien

• ISBN13: 9780749444792
• ISBN10: 0749444797
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-04-01
• Publisher: Kogan Page Ltd

Summary

Managing Projects in HR, Training and Development is an essential handbook for both operational staff and senior human resource managers and covers all aspects of project management. The book examines how to carry out an effective project intended to make an improvement in a context where human resources, training and development are central concerns. This includes workplaces, universities, colleges, training and development organizations. The book introduces a framework of techniques and processes that provide practical tools and approaches and there are numerous examples that demonstrate how these tools can be used and applied to achieve change and improvement.

Table of Contents

Figures and tables	vii
Acknowledgements	viii
Introduction	1	(116)
1. What is a project?	7	(12)
Projects and change	7	(1)
Features of a project	8	(2)
Aims	10	(1)
Setting clear objectives	11	(1)
Key dimensions of a project	12	(2)
People in projects	14	(1)
Projects in HR, training and development	15	(1)
Outcomes and multiple outcomes	16	(1)
Achieving outcomes	17	(2)
2. Scoping the project	19	(10)
Why scope a project?	20	(1)
The life of a project	21	(8)
3. Questions, evidence and decisions	29	(16)
Does this project meet a need?	29	(3)
Does it help to achieve organizational goals?	32	(1)
Have we considered all the options?	32	(2)
Option appraisal	34	(1)
Cost-effectiveness	35	(1)
Opportunities and threats	35	(1)
Is this project feasible?	36	(3)
Should we do a pilot study?	39	(2)
Is the benefit worth the cost?	41	(4)
4. Defining the project	45	(14)
Working with the sponsor	45	(2)
Will the project be supported?	47	(2)
Stakeholder mapping	49	(3)
Working with your stakeholders	52	(2)
Creating the project brief	54	(2)
Structure of the project brief	56	(3)
5. Managing risk	59	(12)
Risk and contingency planning	59	(2)
Preparing to manage risks	61	(2)
Risk assessment and impact analysis	63	(1)
Strategies for dealing with risk	64	(1)
A contingency plan	65	(1)
A framework for managing risk	66	(1)
Influencing stakeholders	67	(4)
6. Outline planning	71	(14)
Where do you start?	72	(2)
Developing a project plan	74	(1)
Using a logic diagram	75	(4)
Identifying deliverables	79	(6)
7. Estimating time and costs	85	(12)
Estimating time	85	(1)
Work breakdown structure	86	(4)
Staff costs	90	(1)
Avoiding abusive practices	91	(2)
Equipment costs	93	(1)
Materials costs	94	(1)
Estimating revenues and intangible benefits	95	(1)
Who should estimate?	95	(1)
Planning for quality	96	(1)
8. Scheduling	97	(10)
Timing and sequence	97	(1)
Drawing up a Gantt chart	98	(1)
Using computer programs to plan and schedule	99	(1)
Identifying the critical path	100	(7)
9. Implementing the project	107	(10)
Drawing up the implementation plan	107	(1)
Team structure	108	(2)
Planning team responsibilities	110	(1)
Making it happen	111	(1)
Resourcing	112	(1)
Managing project activities during implementation	112	(2)
Keeping an overview	114	(3)
10. Monitoring and control	117	(8)
Monitoring	118	(3)
Milestones	121	(1)
Maintaining balance	122	(2)
Controlling change	124	(1)
11. Communications	125	(14)
Communications in a project	125	(2)
Why is good communication needed?	127	(1)
How can communication be provided?	128	(1)
Managing the flow of information	129	(1)
Providing information for those who need it	130	(5)
Where is information needed?	135	(1)
Access to information and confidentiality	136	(1)
What might hinder communication?	137	(2)
12. Leadership and teamworking	139	(12)
The nature of leadership	139	(1)
Leadership in a project	140	(1)
Power in leadership of projects	141	(2)
Style in leadership of projects	143	(1)
Leadership roles in a project	144	(2)
Motivation and teamworking	146	(1)
Team development	147	(3)
Managing yourself	150	(1)
13. Managing people and performance	151	(12)
Preparing for good performance	151	(2)
Managing performance of teams in a project	153	(1)
Managing relationships and conflict	154	(3)
Making requirements explicit	157	(1)
Ensuring that the team have the necessary skills and experience	157	(2)
Developing collaboration	159	(1)
Dealing with poor performance	160	(3)
14. Completing the project	163	(10)
Handover and delivery	164	(2)
Delivering with style	166	(1)
Planning for a successful conclusion	166	(1)
Closing the project	167	(1)
Closure checklists	168	(1)
Dismantling the team	169	(1)
Project drift	170	(3)
15. Evaluating the project	173	(10)
Evaluation during a project	174	(1)
Evaluation at the end of a project	175	(1)
Designing a formal evaluation	176	(1)
Planning an evaluation	177	(4)
Analysing and reporting the results	181	(1)
Follow-up to the report	182	(1)
16. Reporting the project	183	(16)
Writing a project report	183	(2)
Characteristics of a good report	185	(1)
Style, structure and format	186	(2)
Reporting the project to gain an academic or professional award	188	(2)
Making effective presentations	190	(1)
Understanding your audience	191	(1)
Who is in your audience?	192	(1)
Purpose and content	193	(2)
Delivery	195	(4)
17. Learning from the project	199	(10)
Organizational learning about management of projects	199	(3)
Sharing learning from a project	202	(2)
Individual development from a project	204	(1)
Management development through leading a project	205	(4)
References	209	(2)
Index	211

Excerpts

*What is a project? *Scoping the project *Making evidence-based decisions *Defining the project *Managing risk *Outline planning *Estimating time and costs *Scheduling *Implementing the project *Monitoring and control *Communications *Leadership and teamworking *Managing performance *Completing the project *Evaluation *Reporting the project *Learning from the project