The document discusses a new approach to project management training and coaching. It proposes kicking off each project with a 3-5 day workshop/training to develop a confirmed business case, full project plan, and obtain management and team commitment. This aims to give projects a good start rather than confronting them with problems from day one. The training would use the actual project as a case study. Regular coaching would also be provided during project execution to support both the team and management. Standard training and certification may be suitable for some, but generic training is ineffective for most who only occasionally work on projects.

1. Project-solutions.nl
Henk van Soest
A good start is essential; Project kickoff, training and coaching
We believe in a different approach to project management training and coaching.
For those that frequently work in or manage projects following standard methodological training and
certification makes sense. The knowledge of methodologies as provided by PMI (PMA and PMP),
Prince II (foundation) or IPMA, focusing on traditional models, waterfall processes or Agile PM, is very
useful indeed.
Generic project management training however, for those that once in a while participate in projects is
in our opinion an absolute waste of time and money. The majority of those involved in projects qualify
in this category
In practice the focus is however either on generic training or, in many cases, none at all. The
consequences should be known to all.
An unfortunate fact out of the world of projects, established by the Gartner group and others is that
only 20% of projects achieve planned results, most, 80% are destined for disaster from conception
amongst which 40% should, after thorough analyses never have been started in the first place, all this
notwithstanding the fact that thousands have been “trained.”
Projects are like with our children, “they deserve à good start, a decent childhood and should
not be confronted with adolescence and all its problems from day 1. “
Successful investments (projects) start with good investment selection in the first place, alignment with
the company’s strategy is vital and should not come as an afterthought. Next a realistic plan, counting
with input from “all” stakeholders should be prepared before starting the execution.
We propose a new approach to Project Management training, project selection, project
preparation and execution.
Kick each project off with a 3-5 day workshop/training. After an extensive intake we define duration and
content, according to the companies and project complexities and requirements.
Using the project as “case” the deliverables are:
Confirmed business case, Full project plan, (scope, wbs/obs, planning, cost, quality, risk etc)
management and team commitment, communications and reporting structure.
During project execution we provide a regular follow-up, coaching both team and management for the
duration of the project.
email Henk van Soest ; Henk at linked in; Activity; twitter; Henk at slide share;
tel NL: +31639836883 tel ES +34652421651
H.C. van Soest, 25-03-1953