Project Management for Non-Project Managers Training Course

Oxford Training Centre presents a hands-on Project Management Training Course in Los Angeles and many other cities, introducing core project management ideas in a non-technical and role-relevant way. The course focuses on practical tools and behaviours rather than theory—teaching participants how to scope work, break it into manageable pieces, schedule tasks, set milestones, manage dependencies, and marshal resources such as people, budget, and time to achieve objectives.

Covering the end-to-end project lifecycle—from initiation to closing—participants learn to apply lightweight controls, use team coordination, and maintain progress effectively. Realistic templates, short exercises, and a capstone mini-project make the learning experience immediately applicable across various fields including operations, HR, IT, finance, marketing, and product management.

Course Objective and Target Audience

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the fundamentals of project management and recognise their role in successful project delivery.
2. Identify key project lifecycle phases and critical milestones.
3. Apply planning techniques to break down complex projects.
4. Coordinate team activities effectively.
5. Allocate resources efficiently while keeping teams motivated.
6. Use project tracking and monitoring tools to maintain momentum.
7. Communicate goals and progress clearly to stakeholders.
8. Adapt plans dynamically to overcome challenges.
9. Evaluate outcomes and recognise achievements.
10. Reflect on lessons learned to enhance performance.

Target Audience

This course is designed for professionals frequently involved in projects but without formal project management roles, including:

• Team leaders and supervisors handling improvement initiatives.
• Functional managers (HR, Finance, Sales, Marketing, IT, Operations).
• Subject-matter experts and technical leads.
• Business analysts and process owners.
• New managers needing practical planning and execution tools.
• Change champions, program coordinators, and non-PM professionals.

Participants typically have responsibility for results and seek usable project skills to improve scheduling, resourcing, and team coordination.

Course Modules

Module 1 — Project Fundamentals and the Project Lifecycle

• Understanding what defines a project vs. business as usual (BAU).
• Managing constraints: scope, time, cost, quality.
• Phases of the project lifecycle: Initiate → Plan → Execute → Monitor & Control → Close.
  Outcome: Recognise when work should be managed as a project and how lifecycle phases structure delivery.

Module 2 — Initiation: Defining Purpose, Outcomes and Stakeholders

• Creating a project brief and objective statement.
• Identifying stakeholders and mapping influence/interest.
• Writing measurable success criteria and acceptance conditions.
  Outcome: Clear start documents that align expectations and create an agreed scope.

Module 3 — Breaking Down Work: WBS and Milestones

• Constructing a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS).
• Defining milestones and interim deliverables.
• Setting priorities and exit criteria.
  Outcome: A WBS and milestone plan that makes complex work visible and manageable.

Module 4 — Scheduling and Sequencing: From Tasks to Timeline

• Estimating durations, identifying dependencies, and sequencing tasks.
• Creating a practical schedule (Gantt essentials) and identifying critical path items.