Best Practices for the Multi-Project Manager

Ace multiple-project assignments by balancing time and resources. This updated seminar provides you with examples of best practices within the profession. Learn how to develop a culture for consistent, standardized Multi-Project Management (MPM) practices, utilize proven metrics for MPM performance and implement innovative tools and techniques for successful completion of multiple projects.

• Align work and projects with the strategic direction of the organization
• Keep projects on track and on budget
• Set and maintain priorities
• Improve communication on all projects
• Increase your effectiveness and efficiency
• Determine your organization’s ability to conduct additional projects

Projects and the Enterprise

• Describe the role projects play within the organization
• Demonstrate how projects act as change agents in the organization
• Identify techniques to prioritize projects effectively

Project Resourcing

• Describe how to allocate the necessary resources to projects
• How to negotiate for the right resources to get your projects done
• Determine the ability of the organization to take on more projects
• Identify MPM tools and practices required for success
• The vital importance of utilization in the context of MPM
• How to effectively gain the resources your projects require
• Multitasking and its effect on project outcomes

Standardizing the Approach to Project Communications

• Using a standard communication plan across all projects
• Running an effective meeting as a multi-project manager
• Characteristics of successful meetings

Measuring Project Metrics

• Identify effective project reporting techniques
• How to reduce and streamline administrative work
• Characteristics of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Develop and Track KPIs to assess a project’s “health”
• How to use dashboards and other tools to measure project success

Effectively Managing Stakeholders

• How best to maintain project expectations
• Why stakeholder management is important
• The different types and roles of stakeholders
• Define the role of project communications planning
• Describe how changes to the project impacts stakeholder expectations

Summary: Achieving Best Practices in Multi-Project Management

• Consistency in project management practices
• Cultural characteristics needed for MPM
• Organizational responsibility

Learning Objectives

• Align Projects with the Strategic Direction of the Organization to Enable Better Decision Making Within and Across Projects
• Create a Holistic View of Your Multi-Project Environment
• Use Project Management Tools to Understand the Relationships Between Concurrent Projects
• Create a Balance of Resource Supply and Demand Across Multiple Projects
• Use a Communication Matrix with Your Team
• Ensure That All Project Statuses Are Uniformly Maintained
• Explain How to Manage Stakeholders Across Projects with Conflicting Resources
• Use Influence Skills to Manage Stakeholders Who Are in Conflict with One Another

Projects and the Organization

• Describe the Role That Projects Play as Change Agents Within an Organization
• Determine Whether an Organization Should Pursue a Certain Project
• Discuss How Organizations Prioritize Projects
• Establish a Multi-Project Architecture

Planning and Resourcing in a Multi-Project Environment

• Explain the Importance of Creating Project Charters in a Multi-Project Environment
• Describe the Value of Creating a Scope Statement
• Design and Utilize a WBS to Determine the Total Scope in a Multi-Project Environment
• Describe a Method of Sequencing Activities When Managing Projects
• Utilize Best Practices for Estimating Activity Resources and Duration
• Create a Plan for Improving and Optimizing Resource Use Across Projects

Communicating in a Multi-Project Environment

• Discuss the Challenges of Communicating Across Multiple Teams
• Create a Multi-Project Communication Plan
• Apply the Earned Value Method Within and Across Projects
• Weight Milestones When Measuring Value Across Projects

Stakeholder and Change Management in a Multi-Project Environment

• Explain the Importance of Managing Stakeholder Expectations Across Projects
• Describe the Process of Stakeholder Identification
• Utilize a Stakeholder Register
• Conduct a Stakeholder Analysis
• Leverage Influence Strategies to Manage Conflict Between Stakeholders
• Apply Best Practices for Managing Change Across Projects