The High-Performing Project Manager Program
Learn how to become a high-performing project manager in 5 weeks. A live, cohort-based training program mixed with on-demand lessons, 121 coaching and group learning.
The program (cohort 6) starts Monday, July 28th.
Limited spots available.
This isn’t traditional project management training
If you’re looking for a certification or a step-by-step framework to run a project end-to-end, this isn’t the right program for you.
Why?
Because there’s no single way to run a project.
And knowing how to build a plan, write a status report, or fill in a risk log is just a small part of delivering a successful project.
The biggest barrier to success isn’t tools or templates, it’s people.
That includes your team, your stakeholders, your clients, and yes, sometimes even you.
People management makes up 70% of project delivery.
Yet most training focuses on frameworks, tools, and processes. That’s the gap this program fills.
The truth is: most project problems are, in fact, people problems.
Over 20 years of running projects, I’ve seen that the toughest challenges always trace back to human behaviour, whether it’s a misaligned team member, a difficult stakeholder, a confused client, or a moment where I got in my own way.
That’s why this program is different.
It’s not about following templates. It’s about helping you lead people better.
You’ll learn simple, practical tactics you can apply straight away. No fluff. No theory.
Just proven approaches to help you build confidence, improve your leadership, and drive project outcomes.
This is a 1% improvement model not a “big bang” approach that overwhelms you or leaves you stuck.
What's in the program?
Over 50 ondemand lessons to watch and learn in your own time.
Modules on mindset, self dicipline, productivity, communucations, AI, finances and planning.
Over a hundred small but practical approaches to try out and use.
Weekly Q&As with your fellow cohort takers across the 5-weeks of learning.
121's coaching sessions with your trainer Ben Willmott.
Access to multiple how to plan a... Trello boards, full of all the tasks needed.
Shared community portal with your fellow project managers.
Access to a stack of templates and approaches to adapt and use.
This is real-world training. Built for real-world project managers. And it starts with you.
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The High Performing Project Manager Program
The High-Performing Project Manager Program is a 5-week online program, where you’ll learn how to unlock your full potential as a Project Manager and close the gap between who you are and who you can be. Every Project Manager should be able to reach their full potential.
Access to 50 plus video lessons, over 9hrs of content, 2 X weekly open live Q&As, and tasks to help you learn and implement changes immediately to how you work and perform, plus connect with other project managers on the same path in the community portal.
PLUS! 2 X 121s with me to help you with any challenges you have
And access to Ben, your trainer, throughout the program in the community portal for any questions or help needed.
Over 20 years of Project Management experience has gone into creating this program.
The entire program will only take about 60-90 minutes of your time per week – and since all the video lessons and live Q&As will be recorded, you can also go through the program at your own pace – you’ll have lifetime access.
Become a High-Performing Project Manager in 5-Weeks and Accelerate Your Career
Understand how to start and close a project with confidence and control.
Start your journey with AI to help elevate your performance and boost your productivity.
Gain multiple small but implementable approaches and frameworks to improve your communucation and people management.
Learn and get access to lot's of approaches and checklist to plan different projects and scenarios.
Improve your mindset, self-discipline and productivity. The power of improving in these three areas is huge for a project manager.
Every Project Manager deserves the opportunity to become what they’re capable of being in their career. You don’t have to settle for mediocre.
JOIN THE NEXT COHORTHere’s what you’ll get
MODULE 1
Developing the best version of you
If you want to improve as a Project Manager, you need to start by working on developing your mindset, self-discipline, and productivity. When your mind is racing with doubt, frustration or worry, it’s hard to think clearly, let alone make smart decisions or focus on what matters.
This module helps you build a stronger mindset so you can stay calm under pressure, improve your self-discipline to work with intent, and build habits that increase your productivity and outputs. It’s the foundation for everything else that follows.
- Overview of the program and introduction to module one
- What really matters as a Project Manager
- Ten Guiding Rules to Help Elevate You as a Project Manager
- How to Manage Your Emotions and Nerves
- How to creare performance algorithms for high-performance
- What Is Self-Discipline? And 3 Steps to Improve I
- How to Create Your Masterpiece Days and Set New Standards
- Why the Fundamentals Matter Most
- The Three Stages of Productivity
- The Power of Habits
- How to Make Clearer Decisions
- Module one actions
Module 2
Starting strong
How you start a project will ultimately determine its progress and the quality of its conclusion. This should be your busiest time as PM, but a good busy.
The opposite and the outcome of not starting a project well is the end of your project, it’s a rush, trying to squeeze in the additional scope creep, tasks that are taking you longer than expected.
You’re busy again, but this time it’s a bad busy, plus, you’re feeling overwhelmed and doubting your abilities.
Module 2 will help you understand where to focus to start a project strong, as well as what are the most common issues for what causes a project to not end well.
- Introduction to module two
- Why most plans fail and the impact this can cause it
- Developing an adaptive planning approach
- Mapping Your Risks Against Contingency
- What to do when you have unrealistic timelines
- What to do when the full team aren't available for day one
- How to plan a discovery phase
- Planning and running a kick off meeting: a guide
- All the actions to plan a discovery phase, sprint or pitch (Trello boards)
- Checklists for SOW creation, starting a project and E2E project checklists
- A one-page risk assessment for senior management
- Module two actions
Module 3
Managing the project, staying focused and in control
You’ve started the project well, you can now relax, nope!
If you start a project well, you need to stay on top of this momentum and anticipate any potential problems that a project can encounter.
Every project will have it’s own issues, so in this module we’ll cover how to deal with the most common issues and challenges that derail, plus how to build engagement and monitor the health of your project.
Plus, how to close down a project in control and with confidence.
- Introduction to module three
- Moving beyond the standard approach to scoping a project
- Developing scope that has value
- Managing scope creep and change
- Dealing with high amount of changes to the plan
- How to build engagement when reviewing your plan
- What you need to do more of to have fewer problems with your plan
- 10 Health Check Tips for Your Plan
- 10 tips for managing change on a project
- How to close down a project calmy and with confidence
- Module three actions and worksheets
Module 4
Communication and People Management
Module 4, doesn’t follow Module 3 when it comes to the sequence for a typical project, but sits across all of it. Communication and people management is two of, if not the most important, skills when it comes to project management.
You can have all the certifications in the world, but you can’t communicate and manage people; your going to struggle and have a tough time.
In Module 4, we’ll look at the importance of understanding your audience, developing influence, team engagement and approaches to deal with issues and big changes.
- Introduction to module 4
- The importance of understanding your audience
- Developing influence no matter what your seniority
- How to build engagement when reviewing your plan
- What you do when a client calls you with a problem
- 5 frameworks to improve your communications
- Turning a problem into a solution
- Meeting agenda’s that work
- How to receive less emails and get more time back
- How to implement a continuous learning approach for your team
- Module four actions and worksheets
Module 5
Hello AI, how can you help?
Module 5 is all about AI. Not how to create fancy images, but simple and practical approaches to enhancing your work. AI can be overwhelming, as it’s talked about everywhere.
Still, when used well, it can improve how you work as a Project Manager, whether in communications, productivity, or learning. In module 5, we’ll cover the watchouts and, just as importantly, how to use it for everyday tasks to enhance and speed up your work.
- Introduction to module 5
- Introduction to the AI
- ChatGPT: A Quick overview
- Perplexity: A Quick overview
- Claude: A Quick overview
- How to use AI to improve your project management
- Using ChatGBT to improve your writing and productivity
- Getting access to the private Custom ChatGBT, "PPM Coach"
- Week 5 actions
What you can expect
On-Demand Video Training with Ben Willmott
Six training modules containing over 50 on-demand video lessons taking you through all of the content and approaches covered in the program. A new module is released each week to view at your own pace.
Access to a Community of Project Managers
Every cohort of PMs is added to the community space, which will help guide you through the program, give you access to the Q&As and templates (37 plus and counting), and allow you to share challenges and questions with fellow like-minded Project Managers.
Live Coaching & Mentoring with Ben Willmott
You will also receive access to live online Q&A sessions for further coaching and mentoring and the opportunity to collaborate and learn from fellow Project Managers. Plus 121's with Ben Willmott.
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Free Templates & Processes
Each module has supporting templates and approaches for you to adapt and use in your day-to-day role as a Project Manager.
These have all been used on live projects and are ready to use.
Project Management Doesn't Have To Be Hard
I’ve worked in project management for over 20 years. Everyone expects you to know everything, be on top of every task, and never miss a beat.
I often worked late or started early, hoping I’d finally be in complete control of my project by working harder.
I've been there, constantly feeling I need to do more for my team, or there will be a problem around the corner, or will we meet the next deadline.
Taking what I've learned working for nearly 20 years of running projects and managing large teams of project managers, I've created the high-performance program to make Project Management easier for you so you can thrive.
The program combines all of my learnings into a bespoke training program that focuses on your project management skills, productivity, and mindset, as when connected, it enables you to become a high-performing project manager and flourish in your career.
Do you want to achieve what you're capable of?
Here's what the students are saying about the program
Ben distills his extensive experience into practical advice, emphasising core soft skills over complex frameworks. I've picked up several valuable insights on bettering how I manage my time, team, and projects. Project managers seeking self-improvement would greatly benefit from Ben's course.
Daphne - Program Manager
In the 5-weeks I learned lessons which showed me how to make small changes day-to-day which have a huge impact on my performance, confidence and attitude.
Project Director
In addition too the course content Ben sets up regular calls with himself and the rest of the cohort, which are a fantastic way to share knowledge and troubleshoot any issues which the team are facing within their role. It’s a true community and wonderful to be apart of.
Kamal - Project Director
It's been a brilliant way to level-up in my current role as well as take away actionable tips to develop the team at Born Social I'm leading 💙
Most of all, I’ve loved meeting other Project Managers & building a new community to lean on. 🚀Thanks Ben!
Sophie Stream - Snr Project Manager
"The content feels like it is bespoke for me."
Project Director
"Implementable and practical approaches."
Snr Project Manager
I recently completed the High Performing Project Manager Program taught by the brilliant Ben Willmott of the PPM Academy.
I joined the course because I felt that it was the right time to do some introspection and to evaluate my approach with the hope of finding better ways of doing things, a refreshed mindset and to connect with a community of Project Managers.
The program really exceeded all of my expectations; I've truly learnt so much over the 5 week period and am now part of a growing community of PMs that will continue to support each other even though the course itself has ended.
Ben has a wealth of experience in the field and offers legitimate insight, solutions and support - thank you Ben!
Laura Message - Executive Producer
After a really difficult 12 months where my confidence as a Project Manager was really hit for six, I was fortunate enough to enrol in PPM Academy's first cohort to study - “How to Become a High-Performing Project Manager” led by Ben Willmott.
It was an incredibly helpful course that really got my mindset back on track.
Ben designed the program to help Project Managers improve a multitude of areas like: Consistency, Self-discipline, Communication, Planning, Financial know-how and Productivity
Andy Perry - Snr Project Manager
"The course has been great so far! Especially the exercises in week 1. It really helped me dive deep into my strengths and where I want to grow as a PM. I already feel way more confident in my role today"
Project Coordinator
"The self-assessment worked really well at the start, so I can review where I am now and then compare to where I'll get to by the end"
Project Manager
What really helped me was the neutral thinking approach. By removing emotion as much as possible, I'll stay calm and focused on what I needed to do next and not react in the moment."
Snr Project Manager
In summary, you get everything below:
Single Payment of
£397
BOOK YOUR SPOTTwo Payments of
£198.50
BOOK YOUR SPOTFAQ
Who is the high-performance program for?
GREAT question! The high-performance program is for anyone who works on projects, not just Project Managers. Whether you're in Account Management, Project Management or a team lead, you can utilise what you learn. Junior PMs through to Project Leads can all benefit from the program
What if I don't have time to watch all the on-demand lessons?
I say to everyone who joins, take the 1% approach for improvement, and that means focusing on the lessons that will help you most now, try out the approaches, embed them and then try the next.
If you don't get through all of the content across the 5 weeks, it's completely fine, as you'll always have access to it in the future when needed.
How do you know if I would benefit from the high-performance program?
Let me ask you this:
Do you want to be more productive?
Do you want to have a stronger mindset at work?
Do you want to improve how you plan and run projects and teams?
Are you looking to move up a level at work or go for a new job elsewhere?
Do I want to learn how to use AI to ehance how I work?
This high-performance program is for you if the answer is yes to any of these.
Do I need to have a certain level of experience before I sign up?
Not at all. It doesn’t matter what level you’re at in your career; if you have the right mindset to want to learn and improve yourself, then this program is for you.
How is high-performance program different to other project management training?
Another great question!
Most training out there for Project Managers is a course of some sort, the majority of them valuable, but they’re designed for the thousands, so many are very similar.
You learn a lot on the course, and it looks great on your CV, but how much can you implement in your day job, as often, they're to big a change to implement.
The high-performance program is based on experience of being a Project Manager, practical and implementable. It's not another delivery methodology you can't implement in the day job.
Will I get access to Ben Willmott?
Yes, you’ll be able to ask me questions during the weekly live online coaching and mentoring! In addition to the 50-plus on-demand video lessons and worksheets you will receive, we will also meet live online.
Will I be able to join at later time?
Once the program starts, it's locked in for 5-weeks and only those who joined prior to day one, can be on the program.
If you've missed this cut off, ensure you're on the waitlist so you can hear when the program will be run again.
