Project Management I – Session 1 of 3
This engaging three-part series offers a practical and scalable approach to managing projects from initiation through completion. Facilitated by Raj Kapur, a trusted advisor to UCOP, UC Davis, UCSF, UC Davis Health, and other UC organizations, participants will learn to apply the Project Process Architecture (PPA)™, a proven and adaptable project management methodology. Throughout the program, participants use a comprehensive methodology toolkit that serves as both a learning guide and an on-the-job resource. The sessions focus on real-world application, hands-on exercises, and collaborative learning to ensure concepts are immediately transferable to the workplace. This series is designed for professionals who want to build practical project management capabilities, lead with confidence, and deliver results in complex work environments. Participants will gain tools and strategies to:
- Plan, execute, and lead projects with clarity and confidence
- Navigate each phase of the project lifecycle
- Build strong teams, manage upward, and enhance professional presence
Session 1: Establishing Project Foundations This session emphasizes the importance of creating a shared understanding at the outset of a project. Participants will develop a project charter, the key decision document that authorizes the project and formalizes the project manager’s role. You will learn to:
- Define the project’s purpose and business value
- Clarify objectives and how success will be measured
- Identify assumptions and constraints
- Outline the high-level project scope
- Understand the importance of a well-prepared project charter
Session 2: Planning with Precision ( 2/18/26) This session focuses on building a professional-grade project plan and developing accurate estimates that support execution. You will learn to:<
- Identify stakeholders and understand their priorities and influence
- Develop a work breakdown structure (WBS)
- Create a network diagram to define logical task relationships
- Understand and analyze the project’s critical path
- Build a communications management plan
Session 3: Scheduling, Tracking, and Leading (2/25/26) In this session, participants learn how to transform the project plan into a detailed schedule, monitor progress, and lead project teams effectively. You will learn to:
- Develop detailed, bottom-up estimates for effort, duration, and budget
- Calibrate estimates based on available resources
- Create and optimize a realistic project schedule
- Perform what-if analysis to adjust plans as needed
- Use project management software to manage the schedule
- Conduct effective project progress reviews
- Communicate with and lead your project team with impact
