Strategic Project Management for Evaluators

There are 47 tools and processes used in Project Management. Which ones are best suited to your evaluation practice? Join us this April for a workshop that will expand on four key project management tools you can use to advance and hone your evaluation practice.

The sheer number of tools and processes in the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) can make it challenging for evaluators to know which tools to apply, and when. This workshop provides theory and hands-on experience applying four PMBOK® derived light-touch project management tools that have been tailored for evaluation projects. All tools can be applied using the standard Microsoft Office suite of applications.

Participants will work with two case studies used to illustrate project management in practice, with time for participants to share their own learnings and experiences. The workshop concludes with a facilitated session using a modified version of the PMBOK® risk management processes to help participants identify, and begin to develop mitigation strategies for, the risks most likely to affect evaluation projects. The course will enhance participant knowledge and application of project management tools and processes that have been tailored for evaluators, with a focus on:

// Understanding the project management mindset of “define then deliver”
// Hands-on experience applying light-touch project management tools and processes; specifically:

• Work breakdown structure
• Deliverable-based Gantt chart schedule
• Deliverable-based budget
• Deliverable-based project tracking and reporting

// Sharing experience and knowledge on the topic of common risks for evaluation projects

This course presupposes a basic understanding of evaluation theory and practice, and is best suited for those with a firm grounding in its evaluation concepts

The Credentialed Evaluators competencies aligned through this workshop include:

Management Practice: skills and tools to manage a project/evaluation such as work plans, coordinating accountabilities and resources (including budget)

Technical Practice: inclusion of core technical elements of evaluation in PM tools such as program theory and evaluation design, as frameworks to technical practice

Interpersonal Practice: attendance to process and tools that promote stakeholder involvement, inclusion and discussion

This course is organized by CES Ontario Chapter and applicable towards your application to, and maintenance of, the Credentialed Evaluation (CE) designation.

This workshop is also eligible for 5.5 contact / training hours towards the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. Attendees are encouraged to bring their laptops for interactive exercises.

About the Facilitator
Alison Paprica PhD, PMP is the Principal and founder of RPM – a boutique consulting firm that provides strategic, light-touch project management services and training. Through RPM, Alison has provided workshops to build project management capacity in diverse audiences including evaluators, graduate students, and principal investigators leading large research grants. As adjunct faculty at the Institute of Health Policy Management & Evaluation at the University of Toronto, Alison developed and delivers a graduate student course on Strategic Project Management for Research.

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/strategic-project-management-for-evaluators-2018-tickets-44807496428.