Program Overview

Project Leadership Program

About the Program

This interactive program enables participants to create an adaptive project environment and effectively lead a project organization. Led by pioneers in the field of project leadership, the program connects the organization's strategy and direction to the projects that will bring that vision to life.

Program Objectives

In this program, participants will learn to:

• Effectively lead new initiatives from initiation to delivery
• Discuss the benefits and pitfalls of modern project management approaches, including the agile methodology
• Explore why, despite improvements in project management, projects continue to fail
• Permeate awareness and visibility of projects throughout the organization
• Recognize early signs of missed deliverables, and react to prevent a full-blown crisis
• Explore the art of project execution that keeps projects aligned with strategy
• Establish accountability through effective project leadership
• Generate "buy-in" and keep stakeholders involved and engaged
• Understand the barriers related to project delivery and effectively prioritize organizational resources to overcome those barriers

Program Details

The program is available via live, in-person delivery at SmithToronto, located at 200 Front Street West, in the heart of Toronto's downtown financial district.

Target Audience

This program is designed for anyone charged with deploying change strategies and/or launching new products or services, as well as those responsible for high-impact projects across teams and/or the organization.

Professional Development Units (PDUs)

For participants who are already Project Management Professional (PMP) certified, 15 Category B Professional Development Units (15 PDUs) will be earned by completing this program.

Discounts and Grants

• Canada-Ontario Job Grant: Offset training fees with the Canada-Ontario Job Grant for participants located in Ontario.
• Volume Discounts: A 15% discount is offered for organizations that pre-pay for five or more seats on any program within a 12-month period.
• Registered Charities: A limited number of discounted seats are available for employees of Canadian registered charities.

Digital Badge Credential

Participants who complete the program earn the Project Leadership digital badge credential.

Personal Benefits

• Become a more effective project executive or sponsor
• Manage project organizations to meet or exceed expectations
• Implement best practices to overcome project obstacles and manage risk
• Appreciate the uncertainty associated with strategic projects
• Increase project visibility and priority across the organization to overcome that uncertainty

Organizational Benefits

• Increase the success rate of major projects
• Create organizational synergies between project groups and other departments
• Establish an execution culture that permeates the entire organization
• Know when and how to kill projects
• Get value from the Project Management Office

Program Content

The program integrates dynamic case studies, business situations, and facilitator-led discussions. Core topics include:

• Differentiating Project Leadership from Project Management
• The Paradox of Project Control
• Project metrics and 'Celebrating the Reds' on Status Reports
• Getting Value from the Project Management Office (PMO)
• Strategic Portfolio Management
• Creating a Compelling Vision
• Project Visibility and Motivating the Team – creating a project spirit to inspire energy, excitement, and commitment to the project
• Project Acceleration
• Risk and Crisis Management
• Leadership Style and Team Culture
• Execution – applying project tools to managing the operating plan

Session Leaders

Session leaders include senior professors from Smith School of Business and knowledgeable experts from industry, such as:

• Kathryn Brohman: Associate professor at Smith School of Business, with expertise in Digital Business and Strategy Execution.
• Barry Cross: Award-winning professor and speaker, with expertise in Operations Strategy.

Program Fees

The program fee is $3,700 CAD (plus applicable taxes), which includes:

• A continental breakfast, lunch, and snacks each day
• All programming materials
• Post-program support

Program Schedule

The program runs from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM ET each day.