Chapter Name: Observe and assist an experienced project manager with project planning
Description:This chapter introduces learners to the planning phase of project management by having them observe how project goals are translated into actionable plans. Activities include scheduling, budgeting, resource allocation, and risk planning. Learners assist in gathering inputs and documenting plans.
Purpuse:To familiarize learners with how comprehensive project plans are developed and aligned with organizational objectives through structured observation and minor involvement.
Rational:Planning is essential to project success. Exposure to planning activities helps learners understand how goals are operationalized and prepares them to plan projects effectively.
Chapter Assessment
Expected Supporting Evidence:
Portfolio of Evidence 1: Evaluation report by the experienced person - Supervisor feedback highlighting the learner's contribution and learning during project planning sessions.
Portfolio of Evidence 2: Workplace logbook - Learner-maintained entries that log planning meetings, task allocations, and planning tool usage.
Workplace Activities
Activity 1: Observe and assist with actions related to planning and developing a project time line and schedule such as planning schedule management, defining project activities, sequencing project activities, estimating project activity resources and duration, development of a project schedule and development of a Work Breakdown Structure
The learner is expected to observe and assist with schedule planning by participating in activity definition, sequencing, resource and duration estimation, and helping prepare a work breakdown structure and initial timeline.
Activity 2: Observe and assist with actions related to planning and projecting the cost of a project such as planning project cost management, developing a project cost estimate and developing a project budget
The learner is expected to support the project manager in cost-related planning, including data gathering for cost estimation, budgeting, and understanding how to manage cost expectations throughout the project lifecycle.
Activity 3: Observe and assist with actions related to planning project management systems such as a project quality management plan, project human resources plan, project communication management plan, project risk management plan and project procurement management plan
The learner is expected to assist in preparing key project management plans. This includes identifying the project’s needs in terms of quality, staffing, communication, risk, and procurement, and supporting the drafting of relevant documentation.