Project Management Training Case Study:
Building a Better Railway with Network Rail
Since 2001 PMProfessional Learning has been working with Network Rail to develop its project management capability.
The relationship started with a programme for 150 Project Managers in what was then the Southern Region. This programme consisted of four two day modules and the Association for Project Management Professional qualification. This initial programme was highly successful and migrated to, what was then, the Great Western region during 2002.
National Programme
In September 2004, after a competitive selection process, Network Rail awarded PMProfessional Learning a national contract for project management training. The scope of this contract covers 18 different Project Management training courses. These include:
- Risk Management
- Planning
- P3 and P3e
- Value Management
- Estimating
- Procurement
Since the programme mobilised in January 2002 PMProfessional Learning have delivered training courses for Network Rail across the whole spectrum of project management disciplines.
Flexible to New Requirements
PMProfessional Learning have been able to respond very quickly to new requirements, developing and delivering new programmes on new forms of Civils Contracts, Commercial Management, Planning and an overview of Network Rail’s GRIP (Guide to Railway Investment Projects) within weeks.
Enterprise Project Management
Network Rail is implementing an enterprise project management system. PMProfessional Learning is providing training to support this implementation including:
- Risk management systems training based on ARM and Pertmaster
- Planning training including process training and P3e
- Cost analysis training
Centre of Excellence
In the longer term Network Rail have an ambitious 5 year strategy to develop a centre of excellence in project and programme management.
To support this objective PMProfessional Learning is supporting the implementation of the Project Excellence model to benchmark and compare Network Rail's capability against international standards.
"PMProfessional Learning is delighted with the way the programme has run over the past 12 months and it is a pleasure to work so closely with an organisation focused on delivering project management excellence" explained Paul Naybour, Director at PMProfessional Learning.
Commitment to the Rail Industry
PMProfessional Learning has committed support to the development of a strong project management capability across the rail industry. To support this aim, free rail specific project management seminars are organised. Topics have included earned value management and lean project management.