Undertake training

The project manager and project sponsor will need to undertake basic training in their new roles.

Project manager training

There is a wide range of project management training available in the market. However, TYS is very strongly a change management project rather than a technical project. This means the most important elements of the project relate to helping individuals undertake a journey of personal change, working in ways that may be unfamiliar and threatening, and interacting with colleagues with whom they may have limited (or even negative) experiences of working.

Training should therefore ensure that project managers are equipped to manage the emotional and political aspects of change. This is particularly important given the uncertainty of all change projects and the importance of making the changes introduced by the project sustainable. The download provided above is a synopsis of a one-day training course which covers these areas.

Project sponsor training

Project sponsors should also normally undertake training, since their role is critical to the success of the project. Effective sponsorship is extremely challenging to execute effectively.

Training in sponsorship should cover areas such as dealing with resistance, giving feedback, providing coaching and acting as a figurehead.

Project management and project sponsorship are intimately related. Since the sponsor and the project manager will be working closely together, and each will need the support of the other, it is recommended that where possible they attend an appropriate course together.

Click for other activities supporting the Mobilise stage of the targeted youth support change process, or for an overview of the Mobilise stage.