Face-to-face event
The main focus of this course is a face-to-face training event. A facilitator, together with IT industry project managers, will be explaining their experiences of working with the project lifecycle, and using tools and techniques to manage small and large scale projects. You will also be working in small groups to generate ideas for projects, and associated client briefs, with course participants and employers. These ideas will be of value in the classroom.
Activities 1–2 are completed as part of the face-to-face event.
Activities 3–7 are online and classroom activities following the face-to-face event.
The first four sessions of the event are described below, followed by the face-to-face activities.
Face-to-face event agenda
Opening keynote address from IT industry project manager A project manager from the IT industry will start the day by discussing the role of project management in the industry. They will look at why developing an understanding of project management might benefit young people. |
Workshop 1 – The project lifecycle The first workshop will focus on the phases of the project lifecycle, co-delivered by a Vital facilitator and industry project managers. This will look at interactive learning resources that support the understanding of the lifecycle, and how this can be understood using a website development project. An industry project manager will discuss the application of the project lifecycle to an authentic business project. |
Workshop 2 – Tools and techniques in project management This workshop will give an overview of the software available for project management, including mind mapping and spreadsheet software as well as specialist software. The session will include an industry project manager talking about the software used in the IT industry. |
Workshop 3 – Key concepts in project management There are many key concepts in project management, including assessing and planning for risk, working with a timeline, contingency planning, task allocation, project closure and evaluation. This workshop will include concepts in a context, delivered by an IT industry project manager, who will discuss how actual projects in the industry deal with these concepts. |
Activity 1 Workshop 4 – Planning a project for learners
Participants will break into smaller groups to work with facilitators and project managers to create projects suitable for their learners, together with plans for delivery that will include links to the online interactive learning content provided by e-skills UK.
Activity 2 Final plenary with facilitators and project managers
To finish off the day, a question and answer session will be held for participants to ask any questions of those who have been involved in delivering the day’s sessions.
The Vital Community will also be demonstrated at this final session, where a forum will be available for five weeks after the event. Participants will be able to meet up again online and discuss and reflect on their progress using the learning resources created from Activity 1 (Workshop 4).
Course schedule