Projects 101 for Non-Project Managers
Learn the fundamentals of project management, planning, execution, and delivery, to manage tasks efficiently even without formal project management training.
Duration: 1 Day
Hours: 2 Hours
Training: Live Training
Training Level: All Level
Thursday, January 08, 2026
12:00 PM - 02:00 PM (Eastern Time)
Thursday, February 05, 2026
12:00 PM - 02:00 PM (Eastern Time)
Thursday, March 05, 2026
12:00 PM - 02:00 PM (Eastern Time)
About the Course:
“Essentials of Projects for Non-Project Managers” introduces participants to the foundational principles, terminology, and practices used to plan, execute, and support projects. Designed for individuals who contribute to or collaborate on projects without a formal project management background, this course demystifies concepts such as scope, risk, schedules, stakeholders, communication, and change control. Learners gain practical skills to organize work, collaborate effectively, anticipate challenges, and support successful project outcomes in any industry.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
- Explain what a project is and how it differs from routine operations.
- Understand the phases of a project lifecycle and key deliverables.
- Contribute effectively to project planning, execution, and monitoring activities.
- Use basic tools such as task lists, schedules, and status updates.
- Identify scope creep, risks, and resource challenges early.
- Communicate with stakeholders clearly and escalate issues appropriately.
- Collaborate with cross-functional team members and manage expectations.
- Support project managers with accurate reporting and documentation.
Who is the Target Audience?
This course is ideal for:
- Individual contributors working on cross-functional initiatives.
- Subject matter experts supporting project tasks.
- New team leads or coordinators without formal PM training.
- Analysts, HR, marketing, operations, IT, finance, or sales support roles.
- Anyone transitioning into project environments.
Basic Knowledge:
- None required; basic familiarity with general business processes is helpful.
Curriculum
Total Duration: 2 Hours
What Is a Project?
- Temporary vs. ongoing work
- Outputs vs. outcomes
- Common project myths
Project Roles & Responsibilities
- Project manager vs. team member vs. sponsor
- RACI basics (responsible, accountable, consulted, informed)
- Expectations for non-PM contributors
The Project Lifecycle
- Initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, closure
- Deliverables at each stage
- How team members plug in
Scope, Requirements & Deliverables
- Defining what’s “in” vs. “out.”
- Preventing scope creep
- Managing assumptions
Scheduling Basics
- Work breakdown concepts (WBS simplified)
- Estimating time and effort realistically
- Dependencies and bottlenecks
- Milestones vs. tasks
Risk & Issue Awareness
- Identifying common risks early
- Escalation paths
- Documenting and communicating impacts
Communication Essentials
- Status reporting fundamentals
- Stakeholder expectations and alignment
- Meeting summaries & action items
Working With Cross-Functional Teams
- Collaborating across departments
- Decision-making clarity
- Dealing with competing priorities
Change Control Basics
- Why changes must be documented
- Impact on scope, schedule, and cost
- Helping project managers evaluate changes
Tracking Progress & Supporting Accountability
- Simple metrics and dashboards
- Handling delays constructively
- Transparency vs. blame
Documentation & Knowledge Transfer
- Requirements, decisions, lessons learned
- Version control and accessibility
Project Closure & Handoffs
- Final deliverables, acceptance criteria
- Support transitions
- Benefits realization (high-level)
Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them
- Unclear responsibilities
- Over-promising effort
- Unmanaged dependencies
Practical Application & Next Steps
- Mini case walkthrough
- Personal action plan
- Recommended tools and further learning paths