How Project Team Training Drives Project Results

Effective project management is critical to delivering long term business results. To achieve this, decision-makers must equip project managers with the skills to align stakeholder priorities, codify collective insights, and guide decision making through the end to end project lifecycle from concept to flawless operation from day one.

Those that do this well have learned how to integrate three essential workflows: Design and Performance Management, Project and Risk Management, and Specification and Life Cycle Cost Management.

1. Design and Performance Management

This aspect involves setting clear design goals and guidelines that steer decision-making throughout the project. Teams must be equipped to:

• Define the project scope and detailed specifications.

• Make objective decisions on vendor selection, manufacturing processes, installation, and commissioning.

• Track project progress to transition smoothly from concept to project delivery to full operational capability.

Training in this area ensures that project teams can consistently deliver value by adhering to a structured approach that aligns with operational goals.

2. Project and Risk Management

Project and risk management require both administrative precision and leadership skills. It involves:

• Facilitating milestone planning to align priorities and coordinate stakeholder activities.

• Utilising stage-gate reviews to ensure projects stay on track, trap latent project defects early and foster cross-functional engagement.

• Utilising adaptive project management techniques like piloting and rapid scaling when necessary.

When project teams are trained in these methods, they can forge stronger, win-win relationships with vendors and navigate risks more effectively, resulting in a smoother project lifecycle. Collaborative problem-solving when issues arise further strengthens these relationships.

3. Specification and Life Cycle Cost Management

Successful project teams understand the drivers of operational life cycle costs and operational excellence. Training in this area focuses on:

• Evolving design goals into a comprehensive operational blueprint.

• Developing internal ownership of methods that prevent downtime and quality defects.

• How to create work routines that are easy to do right and simple to learn.

This ensures that the project doesn’t just meet its initial goals but provides a platform to deliver the full potential of the new operation, minimising total manufacturing costs and enhancing operational effectiveness.

Capturing and Applying Lessons Learned

A frequently overlooked aspect of project management is the opportunity for learning and improvement. Projects provide valuable insights, and when project teams are trained to capture lessons learned, these can be applied to future projects. This leads to continuous improvement, helping teams deliver better projects faster.

Conclusion

For manufacturing organisations, investing in project team training is not just a smart decision—it is essential for long-term success. By empowering teams with best practices in design, performance management, risk management, and life cycle cost management, organisations can streamline project delivery, reduce risks, and achieve flawless operations from day one.

Learn about our 3-day Manufacturing Project Management course, designed to provide project stakeholders with the tools, techniques, and insights needed to successfully manage complex projects from concept to completion. The course covers all essential aspects of project management, emphasizing collaboration, risk management, and steps to deliver flawless operation from day one.