Leading High-Performing Project Teams

Course Overview

Teams make decisions every day, and they deal with dilemmas and unplanned events that must be resolved within specified times, budgets and other parameters. That fact forms the basis of this fast-paced, highly engaging workplace simulation. Project managers who have completed this simulation tell us they have two breakthrough insights that shatter myths and result in significant benefits to themselves and their organisations.

Myth #1. Leaders are born, not made.

Participants formally compare what they do at work with the five practices of exemplary leaders. These practices have been researched with more than 30,000 leaders around the world by James Kouzes and Barry Posner and are reported in their book, The Leadership Challenge. Inevitably, you will have a great “Aha!”—you will find you possess, and express to some degree, every one of the five practices. You will be convinced you can be a leader!

Myth #2. A team is composed of a leader and followers.

Research has found that strong teams are not made up of one leader and some number of followers. Superior teams are composed entirely of leaders! This second “Aha!” hits you as you discover the eight dimensions of high-performance teams, researched worldwide by Carl Larson and Frank LaFasto and reported in their book, Teamwork: What Must Go Right/What Can Go Wrong.

With these two myths deflated, the way is cleared for you to practice leading and working in teams, two essential skills for success in managing projects. This simulation enables you to integrate and apply the five practices of exemplary leaders and eight dimensions of high-performing teams, becoming a confident and competent leader!

Reminder: Participants should have a thorough understanding of basic project management, including knowledge of Gantt charts, resource leveling and general leadership practices, before taking this course. Simulation Component
This course combines classroom training with a computer-based simulation that challenges you to implement your new knowledge in real-life project situations!

Course Topics

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1. World of Work
   1. Traditional learning vs. stages of skill learning
   2. Difference between a manager and leader
   3. o Role of relationship skills
2. Teamwork Skills
   1. What makes a team “high performing”?
   2. Eight dimensions of high-performing teams
   3. How to get team commitment
3. Leadership Skills
   1. What makes leaders effective?
   2. Five practices of exemplary leaders/li>
   3. Leadership skill self-assessment
   4. Relationship between leadership and teamwork skills
4. Skill Practice and Application
   1. Using a control panel to track progress
   2. Practicing application of the eight dimensions of high-performing teams
   3. Practicing application of the five practices of exemplary leaders
   4. Contingency planning
   5. Identifying and using key performance indicators
5. IT Architecture
   1. Recognise the components of the IT architecture project plan
   2. Ensuring the IT architecture supports the enterprise architecture
   3. Examining the decision package for the TO-BE IT architecture
6. Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA)
   1. Ensuring SOA supports the enterprise architecture
   2. Defining requirements for SOA
7. Portfolio Management
   1. Selecting projects to implement the TO-BE enterprise architecture Ensuring projects support the business strategy