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Description

Cross-Functional Management: Delivering Without Line Authority

Move a project or a process forward with people who do not report to you

  • 2 days — 14 h
  • In-person or virtual
  • Foundation
  • Up to 6 participants

Project managers, subject-matter leads, process owners: more and more responsibilities are exercised without line authority. Influence replaces instruction, and influence can be learned.

Two days to build cross-functional credibility, engage contributors whose priorities lie elsewhere and handle trade-offs with the line managers concerned.

Learning objectives

  • Clarify your mandate, your scope and the levers genuinely available to you
  • Map your stakeholders and their own priorities
  • Build credibility through competence and reliability
  • Negotiate contributions and deadlines with line managers
  • Lead a group without formal authority

What makes this programme different

Stakeholder mapping based on the participant's live project
Practice in negotiating resources with a line manager
Practical guidance to secure your mandate from the outset

Programme

1Securing your mandate

No clear mandate, no influence

  • What a mandate must specify: objective, scope, resources, escalation of trade-offs
  • Negotiating your mandate with the sponsor
  • Spotting the grey areas that will later turn into conflict
  • Making the mandate visible to the line managers concerned

2Understanding stakeholder dynamics

Everyone has their own priorities

  • Stakeholder mapping: power, interest, position
  • Identifying allies, undecided parties and opponents
  • Understanding the workload and objectives of the contributors you call upon
  • Anticipating conflicting priorities with line managers

3Influencing and convincing

Achieving results without the power to instruct

  • Sources of credibility: expertise, reliability, usefulness, network
  • Building arguments from the other person's interests
  • Handling objections and commitments that are not honoured
  • Escalating at the right moment without damaging relationships

4Leading the cross-functional group

Building a team without a team

  • Routines suited to a non-hierarchical group
  • Making progress and individual contributions visible
  • Addressing gradual disengagement
  • Recognising and valuing contributors you do not appraise

Who is it for

Project managers, process owners, subject-matter leads, quality or CSR managers, coordinators and experts in a cross-functional coordination role.

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

February 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.