Introduction:

World-Class organisations understand well the benefits of lower total cost and higher productivity resulting from mastering best practices in the important phases of project and contract management. With a focus on the best practices for processes, methods, and techniques, this program will make a great contribution to the skill sets of those involved in contracts and projects.

This 2 part seminar provides both strategic and practical insights into:

• Preparing and administration of both the project plan and the contract
• Critical contractor selection & contractor negotiations
• Identifying and analyzing project and contract risk
• Selecting and leading project and contract teams
• Setting and Measuring Project and Contractor Performance goals

The seminar is split into two modules:

• MODULE I - Mastering Project Management
• MODULE II - Mastering Contracts Management - The Oxford 5-Day MBA

Objectives

Participants attending the program will gain from:

• Knowing your outcomes before you start a project
• Dealing with volatile materials pricing
• Discussing the importance of planning and how to manage the Planning Process
• Learning about contract types and how they transfer risk
• Defining and how to take massive action
• Exploring the various pricing models used in preparing proposals
• Methods of how to keep the team focused on the delivery goal
• Developing negotiation skill sets to gain the organisation’s objectives
• How to set up and operate disciplines required to monitor and control projects
• Understanding important aspects of contractor price and cost analysis

Training Methodology:

• Participants will increase their knowledge base and skill sets through a variety of instructional methods including lecture by an experienced practitioner and consultant who has “been there-done that”, individual and group exercises, reviewing published articles, checklists, and group discussions covering current practices and their relationship to the implementation of new concepts.
• Attendees are encouraged to present problems for discussion on a confidential basis, and to share their experience of particular issues in their company or industry. A supportive comprehensive course manual, in both printed and CD form, enabling practical application and reinforcement is provided. Time will be allowed for general discussions, and for one-to-one discussion with the senior consultant.

Organisational Impact

The organization will benefit by:

• Having the desired outcomes in commercial transactions
• Having better trained project and contract personnel leading and guiding the contracting and project process
• Continuous improvement in the alignment of project results and the organization’s goals
• Higher productivity of personnel involved in contract and project activities
• Making projects and contracting a high value added process
• Improvements in the performance of contractors

Personal Impact

Attendees will gain by participation in this program through:

• Mastering skills in managing project and contract activities
• Improved negotiation skills
• Greater ability to develop professionally
• Increased job satisfaction by becoming more expert
• Receiving increased recognition by their organization leading toward advancement
• Greater confidence in leading, planning, and managing the entire project and contract process

SEMINAR OUTLINE 

Module I

Mastering Project Management

Introduction to Projects:

• What is a project?
• Benefits of project management
• Why some projects fail?
• What makes you a ‘Master’ of project management
• Project team and leadership
• What is the team approach
• Roles in and around projects

Identify Your Outcomes and Plan for Achievement:

• The importance of knowing your outcomes
• Project planning
• Handling uncertainty
• Decision analysis under risk
• Defining project success criteria
• Planning issues
• Elements of a great project plan

Organise for Success and Gain & Maintain Commitment:

• Personal attitudes and human behaviours
• Gaining and maintaining commitment
• The keys to effective influence and persuasion
• Understanding interpersonal project team dynamics
• Empowerment
• The project support office
• Effective delegation

Monitor and Control Achievements:

• Data, information and knowledge management
• Integrating project scope, time and cost
• Performance measures and indicators to monitor performance
• Achieving practical conflict management
• Determinants of project success
• Lessons learned and creating learning culture
• Enhancing personal effectiveness

Take Massive Action and Stay Focused:

• Influences on decision making
• Problem solving styles
• Engaging the project team
• Staying focused
• Effective time utilization
• Plan updating and changes handling

Module II

Mastering Contracts Management:
The Oxford 5-Day MBA

Contracting and Negotiations Planning:

• Elements of a Good Contracting and Procurement Process
• Role of Negotiation
• Negotiation—What Is It?
• Characteristics of a Good Negotiator
• Basic Rules of Negotiation, Part 1-A quote is never a concrete number
• Basic Rules of Negotiation, Part 2-The best prepared wins
• Basic Rules of Negotiation, Part 3-Have many issues and a BATNA
• Negotiation Nuggets

Financial Management and Risks:

• Cost and Pricing
• Cost Analysis
• Allocating Overheads
• What is a Fair Profit
• Developing “Should Cost”
• Pricing Models
• Risk Assessment
• Managing the Risks

Contract Types and Payments:

• Contract Risk Sharing Continuum
• Types and Guidelines for progress payments
• Implications of Contract Types
• Fixed Price and Cost-Reimbursement Contracts
• Economic Price Adjustment Clauses
• Understanding and Using Producing Price Indexes
• Invoices and Payments
• Parties to Letter of Credit

Source Selection and Contract Development:

• When and why to use Performance Based Contracting
• Processes for Source Qualification
• Methods of Contracting
• Developing Prequalification and Tendering Criteria and Applying Standards for Final Selection
• Rules for Drafting the Contract
• Terms & Conditions
• Forming the Contract
• Essential Elements

Contract Administration:

• The Critical Integration or Entire Agreement Clause
• Post Award Functions - Overview and Responsibilities
• Contract Administration Duties
• Contract Modifications
• Rules of Contract Interpretation
• Contract Disputes
• Termination
• Contract Close-Out