
Principles of Project Management
Develop your Project Management skills and fully understand the entire project lifecycle and key activities that need to be done to deliver a successful project outcome.
Enquire Now
Course overview
Duration: 2 days (13 hours)
The ability to run a successful project professionally is a valuable transferrable life skill that can enhance your career and opportunities in any industry.
Our Principles of Project Management course takes a pragmatic approach to managing a project successfully. It looks at the entire project lifecycle and key activities that must be done to give a successful project outcome.
This course is suitable for anyone who is involved in or about to run a project – either as a full-time project leader/manager or as a part of their role.

Objectives
By the end of the course you will be able to:
- Identify 10 key principles for managing a project successfully
- Apply a common sense project lifecycle to a project regardless of its size or magnitude
- Develop robust project documentation throughout the lifecycle whilst keeping the documents to a minimum
- Identify the expectations of key stakeholders and develop a clear communication plan to engage with them
- Apply a range of planning and scheduling techniques to help manage the project timeline
- Produce realistic estimates to help monitor and control the project costs
- Manage key risks and issues associated throughout the project lifecycle
- Manage changes through a robust change control process
- Manage the Project team through the use of clearly defined Work Packages
- Identify and manage key areas of conflict throughout the lifecycle

Content
Introduction
- Key characteristics of projects v Business as Usual
- Definition of Programmes and Portfolios
- Project Lifecycles – A structured approach using phases
- Reasons why projects fail
- 10 principles of successful project management
The Concept (Feasibility) Phase
- Analysing the project context / environment
- Stakeholder needs and requirements
- Content of a Business Case
- Differences between Benefits, Success Criteria, Success Factors and Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s)
- Purpose of the Project Brief
The Definition (Planning) Phase
- Defining the Scope of a project
- Assigning Project roles and responsibilities
- Product Breakdown structures and Work Breakdown Structures
- Approaches to estimating
- Detailed planning using Gantt charts
- Critical path analysis
- Using project management software – an overview
- Constructing a realistic project budgets
- Resource allocation and optimisation
- Producing a Communication Plan
The Implementing (Execution) Phase
- Delegating using a Work Package
- Project tracking and reporting
- Managing contractors
- Controlling changes to the project
- Risk and Issues management
- Managing conflict between stakeholders
The Handover / Closure Phase
- Measuring project success
- Capturing Lessons
- Post project review and evaluation
- Benefits Realisation
- Transferring the deliverable into Business as Usual
Testimonials
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this “Principles of Project Management” course for?
What will I be able to do by the end of the course?
What prior experience or skills are required?
Is this course delivered virtually, onsite, or both?
What makes this course different from other project management training?
How do I find out about cost, group booking, schedule or whether this course is right for my organisation?
Get in Touch

Still have questions about this course?
Click Enquire Now and our team will share full details on content, dates, and pricing — and help you decide if it’s the right fit for you or your organisation.
Enquire NowRelated Courses

Managing Smaller Projects
Learn how to better apply project management techniques to manage small projects as part of your normal role.

PRINCE2® Foundation and Practitioner
Learn the processes, practices and principles of project management described in the PRINCE2® approach and prepare for the Foundation and Practitioner examinations on this accredited programme.

Agile PM® Foundation and Practitioner
Develop your skills in agile project management and learn the agile approach using the DSDM® framework. Gain confidence to sit the AgilePM® Foundation and Practitioner qualifications on this accredited programme.
The APMG International AgilePM and Swirl Device logo is a trademark of The APM Group Limited, used under permission of The APM Group Limited. All rights reserved
Explore More Training Options

Public Training Programme
Explore our current selection of public courses, available as convenient and cost-effective virtual sessions.
Engage with expert instructors and a diverse peer group in an interactive, online learning environment.
Ideal for those valuing flexibility and affordability, our public courses are ideal where you only have small numbers requiring training and offer training from the comfort of your home or office.
Check Public DatesFull Training Catalogue
We deliver a wide range of training across Leadership, Personal Development, Project Management, and IT applications. Many organisations choose us because they can source both technical and people-focused training from one trusted provider.
Courses can be tailored to your organisation’s needs, making it easier to upskill teams consistently across different areas. Whether you want to build management capability, strengthen project delivery, or boost everyday software skills, you’ll find relevant options in our catalogue.