The Planning Boot Camp for Project Managers
Planning is far more than knowing how to create a project plan; it touches and impacts every aspect of project management, including communication, risk management, and your confidence as a Project Manager
This brand-new planning boot camp will help you improve your approach to planning and help you better manage how you plan your own time and actions.
Access to the current Boot Camp cohort has closed (10th February). If you're still interested in joining the week beginning 10th February, get in touch. If not, please register your interest below.
Do you want to level up your knowledge of planning and running projects?
Planning a project and managing a plan can be an overwhelming time for a Project Manager
As a Project Manager, you're often expected to know what is needed and be in control of your project, but in reality, every project, client, and project is different, so there is never only one way to plan a project, and every project will have its unique challenges.
Do any of these struggles sound familiar?
How can I create a plan with so many risks associated with the project?
How can I create an accurate estimate of what's needed?
How can I create a plan when I don't know what we need at this stage of the project?
How can I create a plan that the team are committed to?
How much detail do I really need before we get started?
How can I create a plan when the deadline is tight?
Planning isn't easy, but it doesn't have to be so tough that you can quickly get overwhelmed or burnout. Every project manager needs approaches they can adapt and use to improve their planning and ways to support them as individuals in managing their own time and actions.
REGISTER YOUR INTERESTThe Planning Boot Camp for Project Managers
The Planning Boot Camp is an online program in which you'll learn about a wide range of different approaches to planning.
There is never one way to do it, so you'll learn about the fundamentals of good planning, what can go wrong with a project, how to communicate your plan, how to close a project, and lots more.
The boot camp is a mixture of on-demand learning, which you can watch in your own time, plus weekly Q&A's where you can engage with your fellow boot camp members and your trainer to discuss what you've learnt and any bespoke challenges you have.
The Q&A sessions are optional and are recorded in case you cannot attend.
Plus 121's with your trainer, Ben Willmott, and access to Ben throughout the program in the community portal for any questions or help needed.
Whether you're looking to improve your planning approach or starting your planning journey and learnings as a Project Manager, in the Boot Camp, you'll learn:
The Rules of Good Planning, what they're and why they matter
The Planning Pillars which are the foundations you need for any plan
Planning for Different Project Types like fixed scope or time materials, learn how to adapt your plan accordingly
What can go wrong? Every project will have its challenges. Learn about the most common ones so you can prevent them
Communicating your plan. There is never one way, so you need to learn how to adapt to your audience
Closing a project. How to close down a project and be in control is key for project success and the happiness of everyone involved.
How to plan a..... Learn how to plan multiple project types that you can then adapt for your own use
Managing the plan. You have the plan, but can you manage yourself? Learn how to stay in control to keep overwhelm at bay
Being in control and confident in managing a plan increases your confidence in your abilities and the trust in you with those you work with.
REGISTER YOUR INTERESTHere’s what you’ll get
Module 1
The Rules of Good Planning
This module will explain the four key rules for creating and developing a project plan to set you up for success.
- Welcome to the course!
- Introduction to The Rules of Good Planning module
- Rule 1: Everyone understands and aligns with the project's purpose and goals
- Rule 2: The plan is clearly communicated and understood by everyone involved
- Rule 3: It is shaped and driven by the team executing the work.
- Rule 4: Prioritize what matters most in the plan
Module 2
The Planning Pillars
This module will start with the fundamentals of planning, so how to build a plan, risk planning and contingency.
- Introduction to The Planning Pillars module
- Where to start?
- Your Plan Foundations: Project Phases
- Your Plan Foundations: Project Milestones
- Your Plan Foundations: Project Tasks
- What is Risk Management And How to Create Risks
- Mapping Your Risks Against Contingency
Module 3
Planning for Different Project Types
Different types of commercial modules can impact your approaches to planning, such as planning a fixed-scope project, time and materials, or hybrid. In this module, we’ll look into what you need to consider for all of them and some practical steps you can take.
- Introduction to the Planning for Different Project Types module
- How to plan for a fixed scope project
- How to plan for a time and materials project
- How to plan for a hybrid project (fixed and T&M)
- How to plan for a retainer
- How to plan when the scope is unknown
Module 4
The most common challenges with planning, why they happen and how to fix them
As the title suggests, this module will cover the most common challenges when it comes to planning and maintaining a plan. We’ll look at issues like the time you have available to deliver isn’t enough, the plan is continuously changing, or no one is reading your plan to name a few.
- Introduction to The Most Common Challenges module
- Managing scope creep and change
- No one is looking at your plan!
- Unrealistic timelines have been set
- The full team aren't available for day one
- Lack of shared understanding of the scope
- Dealing with high amount of changes to the plan
Module 5
Communicating your plan
There is never only one way to communicate a plan as you have to deal with different levels of seniority reviewing it as well as different teams and capabilities. This module will share different ways to share a plan depending on the audience.
- Introduction to the Communicating Your Plan module
- The importance of understanding your audience
- Why you need to do more to have fewer problems with your plan
- The visual plan approach
- Using phases & Milestones to monitor your pla
- How to build engagement when reviewing your plan
Module 6
Closing a Project
If you can close down a project with confidence, calmness and control, the impact is a happier team and client and lower workload and stress for you. This module will cover what you need to do to close a project and why.
- Introduction to the Closing a Project module
- Why create a project close down approach?
- What is a project close down approach?
- Building your close down approach
- Building your close down timings
Module 7
How to plan a.......
A very practical module, which will cover different project types like a discovery phase, a sprint, a website, a pitch, going live and a support and maintenance project. Each lesson will have a supporting checklist of the key things you need to do/consider.
- Introduction to the How to Plan a... module
- How to plan a pitch
- How to plan a discovery phase
- How to plan a website/app build
- How to plan a sprint
- How to plan a go live
- How to plan a support and maintenance project
Module 8
Managing your time and actions
Being a project manager can be tough and overwhelming at times, so this module will focus on you, the project manager. How you can manage your time, stay in control and keep overwhelm and anxiety at bay!
- Introduction to the Managing Your Time and Actions module
- Warning signs that you’re struggling as a Project Manager
- Planning isn’t as complicated as you think
- How to make clearer decisions
- How to manage your actions and priorities
- What to do when you’re feeling overwhelmed
- Building your own checklist to stay in control
- Bootcamp wrap up and thank you
What you can expect
On-Demand Video Training with Ben Willmott
Eight training modules containing over 35 on-demand video lessons take 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 a private community space, which will help guide you through the program, give you access to the Q&As 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.
Sessions will be recorded in case you’re not able to attend.
Free Templates & Processes
The modules also contain downloadable checklists and templates for you to take and adapt for your projects.
Project Management Doesn't Have To Be Hard
I’ve worked in project management for over 20 years. You're often expected 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 Planning Bootcamp to make Project Management easier for you so you can thrive.
The program combines all of my learnings into a bespoke training program to help you improve how you plan and manage your projects, plus at the same time, make sure you're happy and feel in control : )
Looking to meeting you in the next cohort.
Thanks
Ben, Founder of The PPM Academy
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:
Register your interest to stay informed on when then next Boot Camp will be running
REGISTER YOUR INTERESTFAQ
Who is The Planning Bootcamp for?
GREAT question! The Planning Bootcamp is for project managers who are either new to the role or have been working as a project manager for multiple years or are anyone who wants to learn new approaches to planning a project.
How do you know if I would benefit from the Planning Bootcamp?
Let me ask you this:
Do you want to have problems with your projects?
Do you lack the confidence to plan a project?
Do you feel like you're starting from scratch each time you start a new project?
Do you struggle to finish a project on time?
This Planning Bootcamp 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 bootcamp is for you.
How is the Planning Bootcamp program different to other project management training?
Another great question!
Most Project Manager training is a course of some sort. The majority of them are valuable, but they're designed for 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?
Often, the changes are too big to implement.
The Planning Bootcamp is based on my experience as a project manager, so it contains practical and implementable approaches.
It's not another delivery methodology you can't implement in the day job.
Will I get access to Ben Willmott?
Yes, a lot or as much as you need.
By joining the Planning Bootcamp, you'll also get two free 1-2-1 coaching sessions with me to help you with any challenges you have, that may not be covered in the on demand lessons.
You’ll also be able can ask me questions during the weekly live Q&As.
Finally, for the duration of the Bootcamp, you can message me via the DMs within the community portal for any plannigng emergencies you may have!
Will I be able to join at later time?
Once the Bootcamp starts, it's closed for anyone who wants to join, so only those who joined before 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.
Do I have to attend the weekly Q&A's?
No, these are optional, but they are highly recommended for meeting new PMs and discussing what you've learnt so far and any other challenges you may want to share.
What if I'm away or don't have time to start the course immediately?
That's okay, the on-demand lessons can be watched any time, so you can go at your own pace and focus on the lessons that matter most for you when you need them.
