Technical Communication Techniques & Principles for Project Managers - Online

Registrations for Online courses accepted starting 1/2/18 through 06/30/18.

Contact Hours: 6

Course Description

There is a strong connection between the project manager and the technical communicator. The Project Management Institute estimates that over half of every project is at high risk because of ineffective communication. As a project manager, implementing critical, core skills taken from the technical communication field can contribute to more successful projects. Communicating complex knowledge, identifying audience needs, and ensuring quality deliverables are necessary for comprehensive project communication. Using an interdisciplinary approach applicable across multiple programs of study, this course enhances your understanding of technical communication and prepares you to step up successfully for project management assignments and roles in your career using these communication skills.

Outcome

Students who successfully complete their course of study will:

• Have the necessary knowledge to use technical writing best practices to manage both small and large projects in their respective work areas
• Understand how audience analysis can improve their communication strategies
• Know why a project charter is a critical opening document for any project
• Be able to better manage the schedule and the scope
• Become acutely aware of all stakeholders and how to meet their needs
• Understand how to successfully close a project and implement lessons learned

Assessment

Students will assess themselves through a self-assessment question bank where they must achieve 80% or higher for successful completion. 

Outline

Lesson 1: Building a Foundation: Technical Writing Applied to Project Management

Lesson 2: Understanding your Stakeholders: The STARS Model for Audience Analysis

Lesson 3: Documenting Your Way to Success: Project Charter, Project Plan, Project Schedule

Lesson 4: Implementing Your Project: The Critical Kick-Off Meeting and Managing the Triple Constraint

Lesson 5: Achieving Quality: Identifying Key Performance Indictors and Closing Projects with Lessons Learned

Lesson 6: Recovering from Project Failure: Tools to Move Forward