Domain People : Task 5 : Ensure Team Members/ Stakeholders are Adequately Trained
Task 5 Ensure team members/stakeholders are adequately trained
Determine required competencies and elements of training
Determine training options based on training needs
Allocate resources for training
Measure training outcomes
Ensuring Adequate Training for Team Members and Stakeholders: A Key Task for Project Managers
In the landscape of Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, ensuring that team members and stakeholders are adequately trained is a task of paramount importance. This responsibility, outlined in the PMP exam content, is not just a one-time endeavor at the project’s onset but a continual process throughout the project’s lifecycle.
Identifying Training Needs
The first subtask in this process is to identify the training needs of team members and stakeholders. This involves understanding the competencies required for the project and identifying any gaps. For stakeholders, training is often crucial, especially towards the project’s closing phase, as they are the ones who will carry the change forward. Team members require ongoing training due to the dynamic nature of skills and the continual influx and egress of team members.
Determining Training Options
Once training needs are identified, the next step is to determine the most suitable training options. This decision depends on various factors, including the complexity of the subject matter, the criticality of the knowledge, and the scale of the training required. Options range from self-paced e-learning, which offers scalability, to live interactions for more complex and critical skill areas. The choice of training mode should be based on engagement levels, the impact on the project, and the criticality of the subject matter.
Allocating Resources for Training
Resource allocation for training involves integrating the training plan with the project schedule and budget. In predictive project life cycles, this means ensuring that training schedules match with time and budget allocations. In adaptive methodologies, resource allocation might involve dedicating certain hours in each iteration to learning and training activities or including training as part of the product backlog.
Cost-Effectiveness and Quality
When choosing training options, project managers must balance cost-effectiveness with quality. The best option should align with the training’s quality expectations and the need to maximize the value delivered to stakeholders. This involves making judicious use of organizational resources and finances while developing the team.
Major Training Outcomes
Finally, assessing the effectiveness of the training is crucial. This can be done through post-training performance assessments, pre and post assessments, or standard body certifications like PMP. Some organizations require trainees to present what they have learned to their teams, ensuring the transfer of knowledge. Continuous mentoring and coaching are key to ensuring that the skills learned in training are effectively applied in the workplace.
Conclusion
Ensuring that team members and stakeholders are adequately trained is a critical task for project managers. This involves a continuous cycle of identifying training needs, selecting appropriate training methods, allocating resources, and evaluating the effectiveness of the training. By diligently managing this process, project managers can significantly enhance the skills and capabilities of their teams and stakeholders, contributing to the overall success of the project.
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