Business Intelligence for Project Managers

Successful and effective AEC project managers are multi-faceted; but often, they are extensively trained in technical skills and less so in how to manage a team, and even less so on how to manage a project with a business mindset.

This installment of Zweig Group’s Project Management for AEC Professionals curriculum will focus on building Business Intelligence so that Project Managers can drive business performance.

Through the four modules, attendees will build a solid project finance foundation in topics of finance principals, understanding Key Performance Indicators, forecasting and predictive metrics, and value management. This course focuses on understanding the technical principles of project finance, but also how to understand the meaning behind the numbers to make better decisions.  Project managers will leave this course with an understanding of the key numbers that they must know on every project, how to evaluate key metrics throughout a project, how to make finance data driven decisions, and how to create better value alignment between services and fees.

Presenter:

Justin Smith, SE, PE, MBA, Training Services Consultant

Date & Time:

Four consecutive Tuesdays, starting January 7th, 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM Central

This course is structured into four 1.5-hour modules:

Module 1: Jan 7, 2025  - Value Optimization and Pricing

• Define Value Creation for Project Managers
• Learn the foundations of value-based fee setting by creating Price - Value alignment
• Learn the three PM levers that create Value Environments
• Identify the optimal fee structures for different environments
• Learn the foundations of Value Discovery at the Opportunity stage

Module 2: Jan 14, 2025 - Constructing the Multiplier/Performance Levers

• Understand the fundamental determinants of project profitability
• Learn how Multipliers are constructed and the key levers that influence the project multiplier, including a review of performance data from top performing firms
• Identify key mechanisms to influence key revenue drivers of project Multiplier, Staff Utilization, and Overhead Management
• Learn how to benchmark billing rates to guarantee profit in every hour
• Introduce finance-forward work planning

Module 3: Jan 21, 2025  - The Fee to Cash Process

• Introduce project-based accounting and the optimal fee to cash process
• Optimize the Fee to Cash Process by building a fee picture
• Identify key strategies to drive effective cash flow

Module 4: Jan 28, 2025  - Key Performance Indicators and Introduction to Earned Value Management  

• Learn the Key Performance Indicators that every Project Manager must know to drive business performance
• Learn how to interpret KPIs to make better financial decisions in projects
• Learn predictive metrics like backlog and pipeline, and how to effectively forecast future performance and make data-driven staffing decisions
• Learn a simple method for projecting and tracking Earned Value within your projects

 *All four sessions will be held on Tuesday, from 11:00 AM CT - 12:30 PM CT

What to expect?

Not your typical virtual “webinar” style training, attendees should plan to collaboratively solve problems in small groups and practice putting financial principles to the test on realistic scenarios.

Sessions blend lecture, discussion, and small group exercises together. They are highly interactive, where attendees will practice the skills covered. Attendees should plan for active participation with cameras on.

Who should attend?

• Anyone that would like to better understand their numbers and gain comfort in making finance-driven project decisions.
• Anyone looking to take their career to the next level and drive business results in the project environment.

 Registration includes:

• Top-rated content delivered right to the convenience of your own home or office
• An engaging virtual experience with interactive whiteboard, polls, quizzes, group activities, and Q&A opportunities
• Latest industry data blended with empirically supported methods and techniques

Zweig Group is a registered continuing education provider with the AIA and SHRM. Attendees will receive a certificate of completion approved for 6 LU/PDH.