Project Management Essentials

Whether you’re stepping into your first project or looking to sharpen your foundational skills, Project Management Essentials is the perfect launchpad.

This dynamic one-day course is designed specifically for junior or aspiring project managers who want to build confidence, understand core principles, and deliver projects successfully.

Instead of lengthy textbooks or complex methodologies, we use practical tools and real-world examples, discussing and using the tools together.  We do not focus on specific project management IT systems, as there are many available – rather, the course content introduces practical, core project management expertise which can be applied to many situations and can help ensure any IT solution is used as an enabler to change, rather than its driver.

This interactive learning approach means participants will walk away with a clear understanding of the fundamentals of how to plan, execute, and close projects effectively.

What you will learn:

• Being clear on the Purpose, Scope and Desired Outcomes of a project: Projects can often go off the rails without this – learn how to nail this down with precision to increase chances of success.
• Understanding the Project Lifecycle: Learn the key phases— scope definition, start up, planning, delivery, monitoring, and closure—and how to navigate them with clarity.
• Mastering Time, Cost & Scope Management: Get hands-on with the “triple constraint” and learn how to balance competing priorities.
• Building Effective Project Plans: Learn how to create simple, actionable plans using tools like Gantt charts and task lists.
• Identifying and Managing Risks: The critical difference between mitigation and contingency – and how to work with both effectively.
• Tracking Progress: Learn how to monitor progress, identify slippage, manage changes, and keep your project on track.
• Effective Reporting: Simple, structured tools to communicate progress, highlight risks and raise escalations
• Close Projects Successfully: Discover how to wrap up projects professionally, capture lessons learned, and celebrate success.

This one-day course provides:

• strong, standalone skills for practical use straight away
• the foundation skills and understanding to join our Delving Deeper into Project Management follow up course.

Who is this course for?

The course is for those who

• are new to project management, or who are early in their project management journey, who may not have benefited from previous skills development.
• want to understand and learn to apply key project management tools and techniques
• may not (yet) be in a project role but who are looking to understand project management
• manage projects or elements of projects as part of their role, or who may undertake tasks in their day job which contributes to project work or to change activity.

The course takes a highly collaborative approach to learning, bringing together participants from various industries to share insights and learn from diverse experiences.

Cost and duration

Members have exclusive savings on bookings and are able to access other great services provided by us.

This course lasts for a full day and is delivered at the North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce Meeting Spaces by our approved expert trainers.

This session can also be arranged on a corporate basis, just for your team.  We can host them at your premises, or here at the Chamber’s brand new ‘Chamber Meeting Spaces’ facility; just off the M6 in Preston.

It can also be tailored for in-house delivery to create a bespoke course that ensures relevance, consistency and alignment with your organisation’s specific learning and development goals.

LOCATION

North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Meeting Spaces

Unit 11 Eastway Business Village, Olivers Place, Fulwood, Preston, PR2 9WT

AVAILABILITY – Places available

Date doesn’t suit?

2027 dates TBC          10.00 – 16.00

This training course is open to members and non-members. Members receive exclusive discounts on training and many other services provided by us. For more information, please contact the training team on 01772 653000.

Click HERE to view Training Terms and Conditions

Introducing Alex

A highly experienced programme director, transformation lead, and senior leader, Alex has spent over fifteen years in senior leadership and consultancy roles with major commercial organisations, including KPMG Consulting. He also brings extensive experience from the NHS and social care, where he has led transformation and programme initiatives—particularly focused on health and social care integration at place level.

On this course, Alex will bring the models and methods to life, using practical examples drawn from his own career and tailored to the interests of each group. Participants will not only gain a clear understanding of the tools and techniques introduced, but—crucially—learn how to apply them effectively in practice.