Getting project management training to stick
Background
The organisation is one of the largest consumer co-operatives in the world.
Implementing a project management approach across an organisation takes some careful thought, planning and communication. Verdandi have a proven process to make sure that the eventual benefits of such an implementation are maximised. Verdandi were asked to introduce their project management methodology – SPM (Successful Project Management) across the Group’s organisation.
Once the overall strategy was defined – ‘doing the right projects and doing projects right’ – a tailored suite of courses were agreed. Due to the complexity of the organisation and the wide-ranging materials required, it was recommended and agreed that a Verdandi Project Manager should project manage the planning and pilot stages.

What Verdandi did
As a starting point the Verdandi Project Manager established the internal communication process. This included articles in magazines and most importantly, communications from the CEO. This got the buy-in and interest from employees across the whole organisation.
Pilot courses to test the materials and the proposed training venues were run. Experience has shown us that the environment for holding a training event is very important and not all organisations have the luxury of having their own training suite. On successful completion of the pilots, attended by a mix of project management abilities, a review took place and minor changes were carried out. One to one coaching and mentoring sessions followed the formal training. The project manager did this in order to embed the methodology. At the end of each course all delegates completed an assessment form covering all aspects of the course - giving immediate valuable feedback.
Dates were then agreed for the roll out to be completed over the following 12 months.

Achievements
The project management training portfolio established covers:
For each training event, a delegate received the SPM Handbook and tailored materials including a Course Workbook. On arriving back at their work place they were given access to the SPM CD via their own intranet along with the client’s branded templates. A formal review of the course feedback was carried out initially after 3 months and then on going every 6 months. As a result of the success of these courses after 12 months they have become part of the standard training prospectus for the company.


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