GREAT

Gaia Research for European Astronomy Training
GREAT Management Course

30 January - 3 February 2012

European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC)
ESA, Noordwijk, The Netherlands
 

Home Schedule List of participants

 

Schedule
Monday 30 January 2012
13.30 - 14.30 Course introduction and overview
  • Course Objectives - developing for the whole group
  • Course style and materials
  • Brief introductions
  • The course schedule
  • The importance of good communication
  • Workshop 1



14.30 - 15.30 Project initiation
  • Defining The Project Requirements – initial concepts
  • Analysing The Project Environment – Scientific, Technical, Financial, Political
  • Project ‘Politics'
  • Defining The Project Phases, End Of Phase Milestones
  • Analysing Key Aspects Of The New Project
  • Stakeholder Management and Initial Considerations Of Risk
  • Workshop 2



15.30 - 17.00 Teamwork and project team building
  • What makes a team?
  • Working within a virtual team - The Gaia DPAC team
  • A quick analysis of the benefits of teamwork
  • The characteristics of team members (Belbin)
  • Creating a positive team spirit. Morale and productivity
  • Forming, storming, norming, performing, mourning (Tuckman)
  • Considering stress during a project
  • Workshop 3
 
Tuesday 31 January 2012
9.00 - 10.45 Developing the project goal & deliverables
  • An overview of six steps in project planning
  • Devising a project goal statement
  • Defining a clear, measurable set of project (and sub-project) deliverables
  • The way to run the project objectives meetings and subsequent meetings
  • Workshop 4



10.45 - 13.00 Structuring the project
  • Using functional, product, work and cost breakdown structures to give shape to the project
  • Using braimstorming techniques to clearly identify project tasks
  • Defining and negotiating 'task contracts' to ensure that all project tasks are delegated effectively
  • Workshop 5



13.30 - 17.00 Estimating time, resources and costs
  • Consider the approach to estimating
  • Discussion of various estimating techniques for software projects
  • Review potential problems in the estimating process
  • Learn a statistical approach using 'three point estimating'
  • Consider the benefits of contingency
  • Workshop 6
 
Wednesday 1 February 2012
9.00 - 13.00 Project scheduling and resource allocation
  • Use Network Analysis to Place Tasks in a Logical Time Sequence
  • Identify the Critical Path in the Project
  • Consider the Real Benefits of Milestones Within Project Plans
  • Use a Gantt Chart to Display Planning Information in a Concise Way
  • Allocate Resources to a Project Plan
  • Consider Resource Overloads. Levelling and Smoothing Techniques
  • Allocate Labour and Fixed Costs and Calculate the Total Project Budget
  • Workshop 7



13.30 - 16.00 Analysing & managing risks
  • Establish the risk management process and policies
  • Review the draft project plan
  • Consider potential risks and review the assumptions made
  • Use various qualititative and quantitative techniques to assess the level of risks present in the Gaia project, or the case study project
  • Consider steps available to respond to the risks identified
  • Re-plan based on the analysis of the full risk picture
  • Workshop 8



16.00 - 17.00 Running the project & managing change
  • Define ‘hard', (formal) and ‘soft', (informal), control systems for projects
  • Consider information flows and the part the Project Manager plays
  • Review Project Tracking and Control Techniques
  • Consider Problem Solving Approaches and Techniques
  • Learn About the Key Areas of Project Change Control & Configuration Control
  • Provide for Tracking of Risks, Issues and Assumptions
  • Consider Management Of Conflicts
  • Workshop 9
Thursday 2 February 2012
9.00 - 13.00 Running the project & managing change
  • Define ‘hard', (formal) and ‘soft', (informal), control systems for projects
  • Consider information flows and the part the Project Manager plays
  • Review Project Tracking and Control Techniques
  • Consider Problem Solving Approaches and Techniques
  • Learn About the Key Areas of Project Change Control & Configuration Control
  • Provide for Tracking of Risks, Issues and Assumptions
  • Consider Management Of Conflicts
  • Workshop 9



13.30 - 17.00 Closing the project successfully
  • How motivation and morale is important in finishing projects
  • 'Customer' acceptance criteria and tests
  • Phased delivery considerations
  • Finalising project documentation
  • The benefits of a post project review
  • The correct closure for the project team
Friday 3 February 2012
9.00 - 11.00 Managing the people
  • Motivation a key area for the project manager
  • Group dynamics and communication
  • Time management for team members
  • Effective ways to delegate
  • A review of leadership skills



11.00 - 13.00 Course summary, feedback and close
  • Review of the course activities
  • Summary of benefits realised and future action points identified and delegated