Start a conversation ↗

Description

Project Management: Scoping, Planning and Steering Through to Closure

Five days to master the complete project manager approach, from initial scoping to final review

  • 5 days — 35 h
  • In-person or virtual
  • Foundation
  • Up to 6 participants

Many projects start without a clear written mandate: the scope remains vague, roles overlap and decisions are escalated too late. The appointed project manager ends up arbitrating priorities they never set, with shared resources and a schedule imposed from outside.

These thirty-five hours follow the project approach in its real sequence: formalising the mandate, building the work breakdown and schedule, securing risks, leading the team and steering progress through to closure. Each sequence is built around a live project brought by the participants.

Learning objectives

  • Formalise the project mandate and define the scope with the sponsor
  • Build a work package breakdown and a schedule with decision milestones
  • Estimate workload and size the resources required for each work package
  • Identify major risks and define the associated mitigation measures
  • Steer progress and address variances using simple indicators
  • Lead project closure and capture lessons learned

What makes this programme different

A real project brought by each participant serves as the working case from the first day to the last
The deliverables produced in session form a project control file that can be used immediately
A simulated project review at the end of the programme exposes each participant to steering committee questions

Programme

1Project Scoping and Mandate

Turning an intention into a written commitment

  • Clarify the sponsor's needs and business stakes
  • Define the scope and state explicitly what is excluded
  • Identify stakeholders and their level of influence
  • Draft the scoping note and secure its approval

2Work Breakdown and Planning

Moving from scope to schedule

  • Build the work breakdown structure and define work packages
  • Estimate workloads and durations
  • Sequence tasks and identify the critical path
  • Position decision milestones

3Resources, Budget and Risk Control

Securing the conditions for delivery

  • Allocate resources and resolve availability conflicts
  • Build the project budget forecast
  • Identify and prioritise risks
  • Define mitigation measures and assign owners

4Leading the Project Team

Making people work together without line authority

  • Define each person's role and responsibilities
  • Establish coordination rituals
  • Run a project meeting that is useful and decision-oriented
  • Manage tensions and technical disagreements

5Project Steering and Closure

Holding the course and finishing cleanly

  • Track physical and budgetary progress
  • Address variances and process change requests
  • Build a dashboard that senior management can read
  • Organise acceptance testing and the closure lessons-learned review

Who is it for

Newly appointed project managers · operational leads required to run cross-functional projects · technical specialists moving into project steering roles.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites

Dates & locations

36 scheduled dates between November 2026 and December 2027. Seats are confirmed in the order enquiries are received.

November 2026

December 2026

January 2027

March 2027

April 2027

May 2027

June 2027

September 2027

October 2027

November 2027

December 2027

None of these dates suit you? We open additional sessions on request, and any programme can be run privately for your team.

Practical details

Before the programme
Online positioning questionnaire. Your development objectives are shared with the trainer, who tailors the practical case studies to your context.
Teaching methods
Theoretical input, workshops and practical case studies. Digital course materials and method sheets provided.
Assessment
Multiple-choice tests and role-play exercises. Assessment of learning at the start and end of the programme, with immediate and 60-day follow-up evaluations.
After the programme
One year of access to the e-learning platform. Self-assessment of the skills acquired and a 30-day follow-up session with your trainer.
How to register
Registration online or on the basis of a quotation.
Lead time
11 working days after confirmation of registration.
Accessibility
Accessible to people of determination. Contact our accessibility coordinator to design a suitable solution: contact@mpf-academy.ae
Start dates
Rolling intake: in addition to the scheduled sessions, this programme can start on request.