Indigenous Sector | Cross-Functional Project Management Planning Workshop

Format: In-Class Instructor-Led, Case-based Workshop 

Target Audience

Chief & Council, Consultation Managers, Economic Development Officers, Land Managers, Project Team Leads/Coordinators, Technical Resources working on or involved in cross-functional, multi-jurisdictional, multi-stakeholder environmental and community development projects

Workshop Description

Addressing environmental, economic and climate change impacts are critical components of many First Nations, Metis & Inuit communities’ project initiatives. A fundamental objective is to ensure healthy and sustainable communities. This requires a meticulous approach to project planning, organization, communications with members, implementation and documentation.

This 3-day training session focuses on environmental, renewable energy and community development projects and takes participants through project conception (relationship/role of projects to comprehensive community development plans), definition, planning, implementation and close-out phases.

In addition, the workshop focuses on key communication strategies, tools and techniques for eliciting member support, how to and use internal and external partners and stakeholders to manage political, organizational and cultural challenges and looks at the relationship/influence of the organization on project success as well as the impact internal and external partners/stakeholders have on project scope, budgets and schedules.

Project Proposal/Charter Writing

The best way to effectively communicate project scope, schedule and cost to project stakeholders (sponsor, members, government and industry stakeholders,etc), mitigate conflicts, negotiate for additional resources, and manage risk is to is to write a project proposal / charter, at the front end of the project, that clearly articulates how the project aligns with the strategic priorities of the membership, how the project will be governed , the scope to be delivered, how the project will be organized, who the government and industry stakeholders are and how they will be managed

Using a structured process participants learn and practice the art and science of writing project proposal/charters that clearly articulate the basis upon which future project decisions are made.

Creating a Project Deliverable Breakdown Structure

Learn and apply the foundational technique for PMI’s 9 Knowledge Areas to create a deliverable breakdown structure that clearly defines project deliverables, key interfaces, and risks

Identifying and Analyzing Project Stakeholders

Learn how member needs, and government and industry expectations impact project scope, and practice identifying, characterizing, and assessing these factors

Organizing Projects for Success

Project Managers must understand business processes and build alliances across the organization, and with members, funders, & stakeholders. Participants learn techniques to minimize conflict across silos and secure support and resource commitments from council and functional line managers

Understanding the Project Human Interface

Project Managers must also understand the human side of their organizations. Participants learn about factors that drive project performance as well as practical techniques/suggestions for effective project communications, motivating & empowering project members managing project conflict, negotiating with contractors and partners on issues of delegation, accountability and commitment.

Creating a foundation for managing contractors and project performance analysis

Project Managers must monitor and control scope, schedule, and costs by evaluating resources and contractor performance. Participants learn to create a precedence network diagram, forming a schedule and cost baseline to track actual vs. budgeted time, costs, and resource needs

Culturally Competent Methodology

Our training methodology values and respects Indigenous perspectives & realities, ensuring delivery maintains cultural integrity and safety

Instructional Approach

Utilizing case studies from environmental and sustainability projects, the course takes the participants through a complete project definition and planning phase and looks at the implementation and control phase. Creating Work Breakdown Structures, Sequencing and Scheduling methods and their advantages and uses are covered in some detail, as are aspects of risk identification and risk mitigation, including stakeholder analysis.

At the conclusion of this workshop, participants will have the confidence and the skills to prepare and present a Project Charter, and to use the most important project planning tools to define and organize their projects. In addition, they will be able to clearly communicate their project and project needs to others including their management, to seek the required approvals, and to control the project in its implementation phase. Participants find that most tools and techniques learned can be applied in their workplace the very next day.

The course is delivered in workshop fashion. Theory is explained, followed by an exercise to demonstrate its application and reinforce its meaning. Exercises are conducted in a group format, thereby enhancing participant group-building knowledge and skills. Participants take can benefit from peer reviews, practice their presentation skills in an informal, forgiving, learning environment. Peer
reviews are an integral part of the workshop

About the Workshop

The course is congruent with the Project Management Institute’s (PMI) Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBoK) best practices. ENVPMSS courses are taught by a certified Project Management Professional with over 15 years of project management experience working on environmental and real property projects.

Workshop Alumni Benefits

Certificate of completion
24 PDUs towards the Project Management Institute, Project Management Professional (PMP) designation
30 Minutes of Post Workshop 1:1 Telephone/Email Coaching

Learning Objectives

At the end of this workshop, participants will have the confidence and the skills to prepare use the most important project planning tools to define and organize their projects. In addition, they will be able to clearly communicate their project and project needs to others to seek the required approvals, and to control the project in its implementation phase. Participants find that most tools and techniques learned can be applied in their workplace the very next day.

Participants will be able to:

• Define a project and the 5 phases of its life cycle
• Explain what a Project Proposal and a Project Charter are
• Define the SMARTS Objectives of a Project
• Create a DBS/WBS
• Build a Precedence Network Diagram
• Determine the Critical Path of a project
• Identify key aspects of Stakeholder Management & Risk Assessment
• List the benefits of a project organization structure

Workshop Outline

Unit 1: Introductory Overview
Unit 2: Project Life Cycle
Unit 3: Project Proposal/Charter
Unit 4: Deliverable/Work Breakdown Structure (DBS WBS)
Unit 5: Stakeholder Management
Unit 6: Precedence Network Diagram
Unit 7: Identifying the Critical Path
Unit 8: Risk Assessment
Unit 9: Project Organization Structure