Principles of Project Management

Course overview

Duration: 2 days (13 hours)

The ability to run a successful project professionally is a valuable transferrable life skill that can enhance your career and opportunities in any industry.

Our Principles of Project Management course takes a pragmatic approach to managing a project successfully.  It looks at the entire project lifecycle and key activities that must be done to give a successful project outcome.

This course is suitable for anyone who is involved in or about to run a project – either as a full-time project leader/manager or as a part of their role.

Objectives 

By the end of the course you will be able to:

• Identify 10 key principles for managing a project successfully
• Apply a common sense project lifecycle to a project regardless of its size or magnitude
• Develop robust project documentation throughout the lifecycle whilst keeping the documents to a minimum
• Identify the expectations of key stakeholders and develop a clear communication plan to engage with them
• Apply a range of planning and scheduling techniques to help manage the project timeline
• Produce realistic estimates to help monitor and control the project costs
• Manage key risks and issues associated throughout the project lifecycle
• Manage changes through a robust change control process
• Manage the Project team through the use of clearly defined Work Packages
• Identify and manage key areas of conflict throughout the lifecycle

Content

Introduction

• Key characteristics of projects v Business as Usual
• Definition of Programmes and Portfolios
• Project Lifecycles – A structured approach using phases
• Reasons why projects fail
• 10 principles of successful project management

The Concept (Feasibility) Phase

• Analysing the project context / environment
• Stakeholder needs and requirements
• Content of a Business Case
• Differences between Benefits, Success Criteria, Success Factors and Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s)
• Purpose of the Project Brief

The Definition (Planning) Phase

• Defining the Scope of a project
• Assigning Project roles and responsibilities
• Product Breakdown structures and Work Breakdown Structures
• Approaches to estimating
• Detailed planning using Gantt charts
• Critical path analysis
• Using project management software – an overview
• Constructing a realistic project budgets
• Resource allocation and optimisation
• Producing a Communication Plan

The Implementing (Execution) Phase

• Delegating using a Work Package
• Project tracking and reporting
• Managing contractors
• Controlling changes to the project
• Risk and Issues management
• Managing conflict between stakeholders

The Handover / Closure Phase

• Measuring project success
• Capturing Lessons
• Post project review and evaluation
• Benefits Realisation
• Transferring the deliverable into Business as Usual

Underscore Group delivers practical, instructor-led project management training that helps people plan, lead and deliver projects with confidence. Based in Sussex and supporting organisations across the UK, we focus on real-world tools and approaches that make project delivery clearer, more structured and more achievable for teams at all levels.

Every session is tailored to your organisation’s way of working, ensuring the methods and templates translate directly into day-to-day delivery. Our project management programmes are trusted by organisations across finance, aviation, healthcare, construction and professional services, helping teams improve planning discipline, strengthen stakeholder engagement and deliver successful outcomes more consistently.

• Trusted by leading UK organisations
• Expert trainers with real business experience
• Small-group sessions (6–8 people)
• Practical, hands-on learning approach
• Virtual & onsite delivery across the UK
• Six months of post-course support

Still have questions about this course?

Click Enquire Now and our team will share full details on content, dates, and pricing — and help you decide if it’s the right fit for you or your organisation.

Public Training Programme

Explore our current selection of public courses, available as convenient and cost-effective virtual sessions.

Engage with expert instructors and a diverse peer group in an interactive, online learning environment.

Ideal for those valuing flexibility and affordability, our public courses are ideal where you only have small numbers requiring training and offer training from the comfort of your home or office.

Full Training Catalogue

We deliver a wide range of training across Leadership, Personal Development, Project Management, and IT applications. Many organisations choose us because they can source both technical and people-focused training from one trusted provider.

Courses can be tailored to your organisation’s needs, making it easier to upskill teams consistently across different areas. Whether you want to build management capability, strengthen project delivery, or boost everyday software skills, you’ll find relevant options in our catalogue.