Advanced Project Management for the Public Service

Purpose

To enable the learner to examine the theoretical and analytical frameworks of project management within a Public Service environment, using the GTAC Project Management Methodology and an action learning approach.

Target Group

This course is aimed at Public Service Project and Programme Managers who need to align and integrate project planning components, at an advanced level, into a single overall Project Management plan.

Minimum Requirements for Enrolment

It is assumed that the learner has basic knowledge of Public Administration. Successful completion of this course is dependent on knowledge of Project Management on an NQF Level 5 (national diploma or certificate) equivalent to National School of Government’s course on Basic Project Management for the Public Service.

Pre-course work
In preparation for the course learners are required to complete the following actions, prior to attendance of the course.
 
Action 1: Pre-course reading
The reading indicated below is viewed as essential reading for this course and can be found on the DPSA, Government and National Treasury websites:

• State of the Nation Address 2010;
• GTAC Project Management Methodology – http//www.GTAC.gov.za;
• Batho Pele Principles- http://www.dpsa.gov.za/batho–pele/Principles.asp;
• Machinery of Government – May 2003 (Reference document for you current and future enrichment).

 
Action 2: Pre-attendance activities
In preparation for the course learners are required to complete the following actions, prior to attendance.
NOTE: Learners should notify their supervisor/manager in order for him/her to support you on this journey. In so doing they will be able to successfully complete this course and take their learning back to their workplace. To this end the availability of time, resources and an enabling environment will benefit both the learner and their department.
 
2.1 Sourcing of documents
Learners should source the following documents from their department or sector:

• Medium Term Strategic Framework for their department or sector;
• They should extract from the framework the strategic goals and aims (only) for their department or sector and list these;
• The Procurement process and policy documents applicable for their sector or department;
• The planning cycles relevant to the government sector;
• Learners should list at least one of the typical planning cycles relevant to their environment;
• Standard Quality and Risk policies used for their department or sector. Learners should remember to source first from their own sector or department or alternatively they can find relevant information on the National Treasury website at: treasury.gov.za.

 
Action 3: Work Based Challenge
Learners are required to identify a project within which they will apply all their learning whilst attending this course. All learning taken up will endeavour to assist them in the understanding of their role as a Project Manager within the Public Service environment. They are also required to familiarise themselves with their department’s Strategic Plan.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course participants should be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of project processes, project scope management and project integration management in the context of public projects;
• Demonstrate an understanding of project time management and project cost management in the context of public projects;
• Demonstrate an understanding of project quality management and project human resources management in the context of public projects;
• Demonstrate an understanding of project communications management and project risk management in the context of public projects;
• Demonstrate an understanding of project supply management and project management competencies in the context of public projects.

Accreditation

This is a credit-bearing course aligned to the SAQA Unit Standard indicated in the table below. After successful completion, participants will receive a Certificate of Competence.

Assessment Approach

The course follows an integrated assessment approach, comprising:

• Pre-contact reading and activity;
• Formative assessment;
• Post-contact activity and summative assessment;
• Workplace practice.

Duration

This course is presented over five (5) working days.