Managing Teams in Large-Scale Projects

Introduction

The Managing Teams in Large-Scale Projects course is designed for professionals who are involved in managing diverse teams in large, complex projects, including project managers, team leaders, program managers, and operations managers. This five-day course will provide participants with the essential skills and strategies to effectively lead and manage multidisciplinary teams in large-scale projects. Participants will explore leadership styles, communication techniques, conflict resolution, team motivation, and performance management, all aimed at ensuring project success. By the end of the course, attendees will be equipped to handle the unique challenges of managing teams in large projects and drive project outcomes through effective team management.

Course Objectives

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

1. Understand the Dynamics of Large-Scale Project Teams: Gain insights into the unique characteristics of teams working on large-scale projects and how to manage them effectively.
2. Implement Effective Leadership Strategies: Learn leadership techniques and approaches to inspire and lead diverse, cross-functional teams toward achieving project goals.
3. Enhance Team Communication and Collaboration: Understand how to improve communication within teams and ensure seamless collaboration between team members and stakeholders.
4. Develop Strategies for Conflict Resolution: Learn how to manage and resolve conflicts that may arise within teams and between different project stakeholders.
5. Drive Team Motivation and Performance: Gain practical tools and strategies for motivating team members and enhancing their productivity and performance.
6. Manage Stakeholder Relationships: Understand how to engage and manage relationships with key stakeholders while balancing team dynamics and project requirements.
7. Implement Team Development and Succession Planning: Learn how to develop your team’s skills and plan for future growth and succession within the project.
8. Measure Team Success and Evaluate Performance: Use metrics and evaluation tools to assess team performance and ensure successful project delivery.

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to Team Management in Large-Scale Projects

• Understanding the Structure of Large-Scale Projects: How teams fit into the larger project framework
• Characteristics of Teams in Large-Scale Projects: The role of multidisciplinary and geographically dispersed teams
• The Importance of Effective Team Management: How strong team management contributes to project success
• Team Dynamics and Development: Stages of team development (Tuckman's Model: Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, and Adjourning)
• Leadership in Large-Scale Projects: The challenges and opportunities of leading large teams
• Case Study: Reviewing the role of team management in the success of a major construction or engineering project

Day 2: Leadership Strategies for Managing Large Teams

• Leadership Styles and Their Application: Identifying and adapting leadership styles (e.g., transformational, transactional, servant leadership)
• Leading by Example: The impact of personal leadership on team performance and morale
• Delegating Effectively: Strategies for delegating tasks to diverse team members and empowering them
• Building Trust and Credibility: How to establish and maintain trust within the team
• Motivating Teams in Large-Scale Projects: Techniques for keeping the team motivated, including recognition, rewards, and leadership presence
• Workshop: Practicing leadership styles in different project scenarios

Day 3: Communication and Collaboration in Large Teams

• Effective Communication Strategies: Overcoming communication barriers in large, complex teams (e.g., remote teams, diverse teams)
• Tools for Enhancing Communication: Leveraging communication tools and platforms for real-time collaboration
• Ensuring Clear and Consistent Messaging: Managing communication between internal teams and external stakeholders
• Building Collaboration Across Disciplines: Strategies for fostering cooperation and teamwork between different functional areas (e.g., design, engineering, procurement)
• Conflict Management: Identifying and addressing communication breakdowns, misunderstandings, and disagreements
• Group Exercise: Role-playing team meetings to practice effective communication and collaboration

Day 4: Conflict Resolution, Performance Management, and Motivation

• Sources of Conflict in Large-Scale Projects: Understanding common sources of conflict in project teams (e.g., resource allocation, deadlines, scope changes)
• Conflict Resolution Techniques: Approaches such as negotiation, mediation, and problem-solving to resolve disputes
• Performance Management: Setting performance expectations, providing feedback, and managing underperforming team members
• Keeping Teams Motivated: How to maintain motivation through the project lifecycle, especially during challenging phases
• Measuring Team Success: Key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess team performance and project outcomes
• Interactive Discussion: Real-world examples of conflict resolution and performance management in large-scale projects

Day 5: Stakeholder Management, Team Development, and Final Evaluation

• Managing Stakeholders in Large Projects: Balancing the interests of clients, sponsors, contractors, and other stakeholders while leading your team
• Building Strong Stakeholder Relationships: Strategies for engaging stakeholders, managing expectations, and ensuring support for the project
• Team Development and Succession Planning: Identifying skill gaps and opportunities for team growth, and planning for future leadership within the team
• Evaluating Team Performance: Using metrics, surveys, and assessments to evaluate team effectiveness
• Final Project: Developing a team management plan for a large-scale project, incorporating leadership strategies, communication plans, and conflict resolution approaches
• Course Summary and Review: Key lessons learned and how to implement these strategies on future projects
• Final Assessment: A comprehensive evaluation of team management strategies and techniques