Education Overview

Distance Learning:

careLearning

Health and Safety Compliance Series

Blended Learning:

Manager Skill Building
Curriculum

Project Management Skill Building
Curriculum

Project Management Skill Building Curriculum

A two-month curriculum (starting in March of each year) of learning events combined with online mentoring and peer interaction

Have you ever experienced a skill-building workshop that teaches many useful techniques, but at a pace too quick to be internalized? Have you ever wanted to consult the instructor to clarify how a specific tool is used or a process is accomplished? CHA, in collaboration with DeSai Learning, has developed the Project Management Skill-Building Curriculum to meet those learning needs.  By spreading the learning experience over two months and providing online access to the instructor and other project managers enrolled in the curriculum, you will have the time to try new skills, tools, and processes in the workplace, share your successes, and seek feedback when you experience difficulty. All participants must register for the entire curriculum in order to maintain continuity of the learning group.

Curriculum Structure

• Classroom Seminars - 3 programs

• Online Coursework - 2 courses

• ListServ Networking

• Online Consultation with Instructor

Component Programs

Basics of Project Management - Part I

Classroom Seminar

9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Registration and Continental Breakfast at CHA 8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.)

The first session of the Project Management curriculum will focus on the project management life cycle, roles and responsibilities, and initiating a project, including defining the project and the project scope. Case studies will be used to illustrate concepts. The session will be conducted in a workshop style, providing time for practice of the new skills learned. Homework may be assigned that will contribute to listserv discussion and consultation with the instructor.

Team Communication

Online Learning/Independent Study

Now that organizations are leaner and flatter, they rely increasingly on employee teams to handle projects. Communicating within teams is therefore crucial to an organization's success. This online independent learning module, accessible via the Internet, will help you develop more powerful, effective, team communication skills, and acquaint you with techniques for holding efficient, productive team meetings.

Basics of Project Management - Part II

Classroom Seminar

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Registration and Continental Breakfast at CHA 8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.)

The second classroom session of the Project Management curriculum will be a half-day program focusing on risk management and cost benefit analysis. It will also outline how to structure the project after successfully defining and establishing its scope. There will be ample time for practice and for sharing problems encountered in your project manager role.

Effective Meetings

Online Learning/Independent Study

This online independent learning module teaches the skills needed to lead and participate in meetings effectively and efficiently, allowing you to avoid project meetings that are frustrating and time-consuming. By applying easy-to-learn group process skills, you will see a dramatic improvement in your meetings at work.

Basics of Project Management - Part III

Classroom Seminar

9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Registration and Continental Breakfast at CHA 8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.)

The last classroom session of the Project Management curriculum will focus on project implementation, completion, and evaluation. You will learn the skills necessary to structure the work breakdown, conduct precedence networking, plan and estimate tasks, track and report progress, and evaluate outcomes upon project completion. The session will also explore concepts and skills of change management. As always, there will be ample time for practice and sharing.

Project Manager ListServ

ListServ communication between participants in the Project Management curriculum is designed to promote informal learning.  Participants share their experiences and seek help as they encounter specific issues in their project management. This networking tool will permit you to exchange ideas and suggestions with others in the project management trenches.

Online Communication with the Instructor

Another valuable advantage of participating in the Project Management curriculum is online access to the instructor throughout the two-month period to ask questions or seek advice.

If you have any questions, please contact Catherine Rosich at (203) 294-7263 or rosich@chime.org or Rhonda Bates at (203) 294-7267 or bates@chime.org.