Executive Master in Strategic Project Management and Leadership

Course Dates :

23/06/25

45

Course ID:

250623001004613LUEMT

Course Duration :

45 Studying Day/s

Course Location:

Course Category:

Executive Masters

Subcategories: Construction Safety, Health and Wellbeing, Environmental Sustainability, Risk Management, Technical Skills Development, Leadership and Communication, Quality Assurance

Course Certified By:

* LondonUni - Executive Management Training

* Executive Masters Certificate

Certification Will Be Issued From : From London, United Kingdom

Course Information

Introduction

Strategic project management and leadership are integral to the success of modern organizations. This advanced Executive Master program is designed to equip professionals with the skills, knowledge, and tools required to navigate complex projects while fostering innovation and driving organizational success. By integrating technical expertise with strategic thinking and leadership capabilities, this program prepares participants to excel in diverse and dynamic environments.

The curriculum is structured to address the multifaceted challenges of project management, such as planning, budgeting, quality assurance, and risk mitigation, while emphasizing the importance of leadership in steering projects towards success. As the business landscape evolves, project managers must also adapt to methodologies like Agile, effectively manage change, and build collaborative relationships with stakeholders. This program provides a comprehensive framework for mastering these competencies.

Participants will also gain insights into establishing and managing Project Management Offices (PMOs), ensuring alignment with organizational goals. The emphasis on change management and stakeholder engagement fosters the ability to lead with influence and adaptability, crucial for today’s project leaders.

The program’s unique combination of theory and practice allows participants to translate concepts into actionable strategies. It features real-world scenarios, case studies, and hands-on exercises, empowering participants to apply what they learn directly to their professional roles.

The capstone requirement for the program is a comprehensive thesis, spanning 25,000–30,000 words, which provides an opportunity to explore a topic of strategic importance. Participants will have five days to prepare for their final thesis presentation, ensuring they effectively showcase their findings and insights.

Course Structure

The program is meticulously structured over 40 days, combining intensive learning with strategic application. Each module is designed to build upon the last, creating a cohesive learning experience that progresses from foundational skills to advanced concepts. The core modules include:

Effective Project Planning and Scheduling
Focuses on developing detailed project plans and creating realistic schedules to meet objectives effectively.
Cost Management and Budgeting
Covers financial planning, resource allocation, and controlling costs to ensure project profitability.
Quality Management in Projects
Examines techniques to maintain high standards in project deliverables and implement continuous improvement strategies.
Risk Management in Projects
Prepares participants to identify, assess, and mitigate project risks while capitalizing on opportunities.
Agile Project Management
Introduces Agile principles and practices to enhance flexibility and responsiveness in project execution.
Change Management for Project Managers
Equips participants with skills to manage organizational change effectively and ensure project alignment.
Stakeholder Management and Engagement
Provides tools to identify stakeholders, assess their needs, and foster productive relationships.
PMO Setup and Management
Explores strategies for establishing and operating a Project Management Office aligned with organizational goals.

The final five days are allocated for preparing and presenting the thesis, allowing participants to demonstrate their mastery of the program’s content through an in-depth analysis of a strategic project management topic.

Conclusion

This Executive Master program is a transformative journey for professionals aiming to excel in strategic project management and leadership roles. The comprehensive curriculum, combined with hands-on application and thesis research, ensures participants are well-prepared to address challenges and lead initiatives that drive organizational success. Graduates will emerge as confident, capable leaders ready to make a significant impact in their industries.

By the end of this program, participants will have the expertise and confidence to lead projects and teams to success, ensuring they remain competitive in a rapidly changing world.

Objectives

The objectives are:

Develop advanced project planning, scheduling, and cost management skills.
Equip participants with tools to ensure quality and mitigate risks effectively.
Enhance leadership capabilities to manage change and foster stakeholder collaboration.
Introduce Agile methodologies for dynamic and adaptive project management.
Provide insights into setting up and managing a PMO for strategic alignment.
Facilitate research and exploration through a comprehensive thesis project.

Who Should Attend?

This course aims at:

Senior project managers and team leaders aspiring to enhance their strategic and leadership skills.
Professionals involved in complex, multi-faceted projects across various industries.
Individuals responsible for establishing and managing PMOs in their organizations.
Leaders seeking to integrate Agile and change management principles into their projects.
Executives preparing to tackle organizational challenges through strategic project management.

Training Method

• Pre-assessment
• Live group instruction
• Use of real-world examples, case studies and exercises
• Interactive participation and discussion
• Power point presentation, LCD and flip chart
• Group activities and tests
• Each participant receives a 7” Tablet containing a copy of the presentation, slides and handouts
• Post-assessment

Program Support

This program is supported by:
* Interactive discussions
* Role-play
* Case studies and highlight the techniques available to the participants.

Daily Agenda

Each course agenda will be as follows:
• Technical Session 08.30-10.00 am
• Coffee Break 10.00-10.15 am
• Technical Session 10.15-12.15 noon
• Coffee Break 12.15-12.45 pm
• Technical Session 12.45-02.30 pm
• Course Ends 02.30 pm

Part 2 / 9

Cost Management and Budgeting

Day 1:
Introduction to Cost Management and Budgeting

Overview of Cost Management and its Role in Business Success
The Fundamentals of Budgeting: Objectives and Process
The Relationship Between Cost Management and Strategic Planning
Key Cost Management Models: Fixed vs. Variable Costs

Day 2:
Costing Techniques and Budgeting Methods

Activity-Based Costing (ABC) and its Application
Standard Costing and Variance Analysis
Budgeting Methods: Traditional, Incremental, and Zero-Based Budgeting
Forecasting and the Importance of Rolling Forecasts

Day 3:
Budget Preparation and Resource Allocation

Developing Comprehensive Budgets for Operations and Projects
Prioritizing Resource Allocation Based on Business Goals
Understanding Cost Behavior and its Impact on Budgeting
Risk Management in Budgeting: Identifying and Mitigating Financial Risks

Day 4:
Budget Control and Monitoring Techniques

Tracking Budget Performance and Variance Analysis
Tools for Monitoring Financial Performance: KPIs and Financial Ratios
Adjusting Budgets in Response to Operational Changes
Managing Cash Flow and Ensuring Financial Liquidity

Day 5:
Ethical Considerations and Advanced Budgeting Strategies

Ethical Standards in Cost Management and Budgeting
Cost Cutting vs. Strategic Investment: Finding the Right Balance
Advanced Budgeting Techniques: Beyond Basic Budgeting
Review, Case Studies, and Final Assessment

Part 3 / 9

Quality Management in Projects

Day 1:
Foundations of Quality Management

Introduction to quality management principles and frameworks.
Overview of Total Quality Management (TQM) and its applications.
Understanding the PDCA cycle and its role in continuous improvement.
Case study analysis: Lessons from Toyota’s Production System.


Day 2:
Tools and Techniques for Quality Assurance

Introduction to Six Sigma methodology and DMAIC framework.
Statistical tools for quality measurement and analysis.
Root cause analysis and problem-solving techniques.
Hands-on exercise: Identifying defects using Pareto charts.


Day 3:
Quality Control and Risk Management

Key components of a quality control plan.
Techniques for monitoring and measuring project quality.
Integrating risk management with quality assurance.
Group activity: Developing a risk mitigation strategy.


Day 4:
Compliance and Standards

Overview of ISO 9001 and other relevant quality standards.
Ensuring compliance with industry-specific regulations.
Auditing processes for quality assurance.
Interactive session: Conducting a mock audit.


Day 5:
Leadership and Culture of Quality

Strategies for fostering a culture of quality within teams.
Leadership skills for driving quality initiatives.
Measuring the impact of quality management on organizational performance.
Final workshop: Presenting a quality management plan.

Part 4 / 9

Risk Management in Projects

Day 1:
Foundations of Risk Management

Overview of risk management principles and frameworks (e.g., PMBOK, ISO 31000).
Types of risks: Threats vs. opportunities.
Role of leadership in fostering a risk-aware culture.
Introduction to risk identification techniques.


Day 2:
Risk Assessment Methodologies

Qualitative risk analysis: Probability and impact matrices.
Quantitative risk analysis: Monte Carlo simulations and decision trees.
Tools for prioritizing risks based on severity and likelihood.
Group activity: Case study analysis of a failed project due to poor risk assessment.


Day 3:
Risk Response Strategies

Developing mitigation, transfer, avoidance, and acceptance plans.
Creating contingency reserves and fallback plans.
Integrating risk responses into project schedules and budgets.
Workshop: Designing a risk response strategy for a hypothetical scenario.


Day 4:
Monitoring and Reporting Risks

Setting up key risk indicators (KRIs) and early warning systems.
Tools for tracking risks: Dashboards and software solutions.
Communicating risks to stakeholders effectively.
Real-world example: Lessons from NASA’s risk reporting mechanisms.


Day 5:
Emerging Trends and Best Practices

The role of AI and machine learning in predictive risk analytics.
Managing sustainability and ESG-related risks.
Compliance with global risk management standards.
Final group presentation: Applying course concepts to a chosen case study.

Part 5 / 9

Agile Project Management

Day 1:
Fundamentals of Agile Project Management

Introduction to Agile principles, values, and the Agile Manifesto.
Key differences between Agile and traditional project management.
Overview of popular Agile frameworks: Scrum, Kanban, and SAFe.
Building an Agile mindset: Embracing adaptability and customer focus.

Day 2:
Planning and Initiating Agile Projects

Techniques for developing a project vision and roadmap.
Defining roles and responsibilities in Agile teams (Product Owner, Scrum Master, Team Members).
Creating a product backlog and prioritizing requirements.
Estimation techniques: Story points, T-shirt sizing, and planning poker.

Day 3:
Agile Execution and Delivery

Managing sprints: Sprint planning, execution, and reviews.
Effective daily stand-up meetings: Tips and common challenges.
Agile metrics: Tracking progress with burndown charts and velocity.
Handling changes and re-prioritization during the project lifecycle.

Day 4:
Leadership and Collaboration in Agile Environments

Agile leadership skills: Facilitating team performance and empowerment.
Enhancing communication and collaboration among cross-functional teams.
Resolving conflicts and building trust within Agile teams.
Engaging stakeholders and ensuring their alignment with project goals.

Day 5:
Continuous Improvement and Scaling Agile

Conducting effective retrospectives for continuous improvement.
Agile tools and software: Jira, Trello, and other project management platforms.
Scaling Agile for large organizations: SAFe, LeSS, and Nexus frameworks.
Developing an action plan for implementing Agile in your organization.

Part 6 / 9

Change Management for Project Managers

Day 1:
Foundations of Change Management in Projects

Understanding the role of project managers in change management.
Key change management theories and frameworks (Kotter’s 8-Step Model, ADKAR, Lewin’s Change Model).
The psychology of change: Addressing human factors and resistance.
Aligning change management with project objectives and business strategy.

Day 2:
Stakeholder Engagement and Communication Strategies

Identifying and analyzing stakeholders: Influence, impact, and engagement.
Developing a structured communication plan for effective change implementation.
Managing resistance: Strategies for overcoming objections and building support.
Case study analysis: Successful stakeholder engagement in change projects.

Day 3:
Change Management Planning and Risk Mitigation

Integrating change management into project planning and execution.
Risk assessment techniques: Identifying, analyzing, and mitigating change-related risks.
Measuring change readiness: Tools and techniques for organizational assessment.
Creating contingency plans to address change-related challenges.

Day 4:
Implementing and Sustaining Change

Best practices for executing change initiatives within projects.
Monitoring progress and measuring success using change KPIs.
Embedding change into organizational culture for long-term adoption.
Leadership in change management: Coaching and supporting teams through transition.

Day 5:
Practical Application and Case Studies

Interactive workshop: Applying change management strategies in project scenarios.
Case studies: Analysis of real-world change management success stories.
Group discussions: Lessons learned and best practices from various industries.
Final assessment and action planning for implementing change in participants’ projects.

Part 7 / 9

Stakeholder Management and Engagement

Day 1:
Introduction to Stakeholder Management

Overview of stakeholder management: definition, importance, and scope.
Identifying key stakeholders: internal vs. external stakeholders.
Stakeholder mapping techniques: categorizing stakeholders based on influence and interest.
Introduction to stakeholder analysis: tools and methods for understanding stakeholder needs and expectations.

Day 2:
Stakeholder Engagement Strategies

Developing engagement strategies for different stakeholder groups.
Communication strategies: tailoring messages for different stakeholders.
Building trust and credibility with stakeholders.
Techniques for engaging stakeholders at various stages of a project or initiative.

Day 3:
Managing Conflicts and Navigating Challenges

Understanding potential conflicts in stakeholder relationships.
Conflict resolution methods: negotiation, mediation, and compromise.
Managing competing interests and balancing stakeholder demands.
Ethics in stakeholder management: maintaining integrity and transparency.

Day 4:
Advanced Stakeholder Management Tools and Techniques

Stakeholder mapping in detail: advanced tools and software applications.
Risk management and stakeholder engagement: identifying and mitigating risks.
Leveraging stakeholder feedback to improve project outcomes.
Aligning organizational goals with stakeholder expectations for sustainable success.

Day 5:
Practical Application and Case Studies

Group exercises on stakeholder analysis and mapping.
Role-playing scenarios for stakeholder engagement and conflict resolution.
Real-world case studies and discussions of successful stakeholder management examples.
Final assessment: designing a stakeholder engagement plan for a specific project or organization.

Part 8 / 9

PMO (Project Management Office) Setup and Management

Day 1: Foundations of PMO

Understanding the Role and Purpose of a PMO
Types of PMO Models: Supportive, Controlling, and Directive
Key Success Factors for PMO Implementation
Assessing Organizational Readiness for a PMO

Day 2: Designing the PMO Framework

Defining the PMO's Vision, Mission, and Objectives
Structuring the PMO: Roles and Responsibilities
Establishing Governance and Decision-Making Processes
Creating a Roadmap for PMO Implementation

Day 3: PMO Operations and Tools

Project Portfolio Management (PPM) Integration
Tools and Technologies for PMO Efficiency
Standardizing Processes and Methodologies
Developing KPIs and Metrics to Measure PMO Performance

Day 4: Managing Change and Stakeholder Engagement

Communicating the Value of the PMO to Stakeholders
Overcoming Resistance and Managing Change
Building a Culture of Collaboration and Accountability
Case Studies: Lessons Learned from Successful PMOs

Day 5: Sustaining and Evolving the PMO

Continuous Improvement and Innovation in PMO Practices
Adapting the PMO to Organizational Growth and Change
Auditing and Reviewing PMO Performance
Preparing for Future Challenges and Opportunities

Executive Masters
Thesis

Final Paper: 25000 - 30000 Words