About
Project Governance and Leadership
Introduces the fundamentals of project governance and leadership, focusing on clear roles, decision-making structures, and effective stakeholder communication to support successful project delivery.
Subjects
- Principles of Project Governance
- Governance Structures, Roles & Responsibilities
- Decision-Making Processes & Escalation Paths
- Leadership Theories & Styles in Projects
- Ethics, Integrity & Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Key Topics
- Governance frameworks (APM, PMI, PRINCE2 perspectives)
- Board, sponsor, steering group and project manager accountabilities
- Governance vs. management – how they interact in project environments
- Assurance mechanisms: audits, reviews, reporting lines
- Leadership approaches: situational, transformational, servant leadership
- Ethics, diversity, inclusion and codes of conduct in governance
Learning Outcomes
- Define and apply governance frameworks to ensure accountability and transparency.
- Establish clear roles, responsibilities and decision-making structures in projects.
- Apply appropriate leadership styles to motivate and guide teams effectively.
- Uphold ethical standards and embed CSR and inclusivity in project governance.
- Influence and manage stakeholder relationships to achieve project objectives.
- Apply conflict management and negotiation techniques in governance contexts.
KSBs
Knowledge
- The differences between projects and business as usual
- The importance of alignment between project and organisational objectives
- The interdependencies between project, programme, and portfolio management
- Techniques to understand the project context (PESTLE, SWOT, VUCA)
- The need and benefit of project governance structures and processes
- The differences and benefits between functional, matrix, and project structures
- Different roles and responsibilities within a project environment
- The differences and benefits of linear, iterative, and hybrid life cycle approaches
- Importance, content, and purpose of a business case
- Approaches to the maintenance of a business case and management of benefits
- The purpose, format, and significance of the project management plan
- The identification, analysis, and management of stakeholders
- Communication techniques and approaches to engage stakeholders
- Techniques for managing conflict and negotiation
- Techniques for working collaboratively within teams and with stakeholders
- Relevant regulations and legislation such as data protection
- Ethical and inclusive project management practices
Skills
- Manage and engage with stakeholders
- Influence and negotiate with others to create positive outcomes
- Resolve conflict with stakeholders within limits of responsibility
- Adapt communications to different stakeholders
- Communicate and support the project vision to ensure buy-in
- Collate and analyse information to support negotiations
- Review and provide feedback on a project business case
- Evaluate an integrated project management plan and recommend improvements
- Provide underpinning data to support written submissions through governance
- Apply relevant legislation, regulations, codes of practice, and ethical guidance
Behaviours
- Operates professionally with integrity and confidentiality
- Has accountability and ownership of tasks and workload
- Works collaboratively and builds strong relationships
