Training Course: Project Appraisal and Risk Management

Introduction

This training seminar emphasizes the significance of appraising projects in terms of viability, feasibility, and associated risks. When an organization seeks a solution to a business problem or opportunity, it must plan and develop a project that effectively implements this solution. At various points throughout the project lifecycle, the organization needs to conduct a thorough project appraisal to ensure alignment with strategic goals, achievement of objectives, and resolution of the identified problem. Additionally, the organization must understand all risks that may impact both the organization and the project itself. In this context, project appraisal serves as a crucial process for analyzing, approving, or terminating projects.

Project management heavily emphasizes project risk management; the ability to seize opportunities, minimize threats, and optimize outcomes is essential. Often, risk management is treated as a reactive process or, worse, neglected entirely. This course explores a proactive approach to both aspects of risk: threats and opportunities, founded on a clear understanding of both qualitative and quantitative methods of project risk management.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand projects from a strategic perspective: Participants will learn how project appraisal plays a vital role in achieving the organization’s strategic goals.

• Identify key gateways in the project lifecycle: Highlighting critical decision points ensures the project's direction remains aligned with its objectives.

• Comprehend the role of the project steering group: Learning how steering groups influence key decisions for project success.

• Grasp the key contents of essential documentation: This includes preparing documents necessary for effective project appraisal.

• Awareness of project financing: Understanding financial factors and their impact on project success.

• Guide and apply a Risk Management Process: Participants will be equipped to implement risk management strategies effectively.

• Identify procurement strategies and contracts: Learning how to select appropriate suppliers and contracts.

• Understand the benefits of Earned Value Management (EVM): Gaining insights into measuring project performance financially.

Course Outlines

Day 1: Project Appraisal: Identification, Policy Analysis & Selection

• Introduction
• Projects, Programs, and Portfolios
• Principles of Project Governance
• The Project Steering Group
• Strategic Context of Project Decision Analysis
• Vision, Values, Mission, and Strategy
• The Balanced Scorecard
• Financial, Customer, Business Process, and Change/Growth Perspectives
• Defining Project Scope and Estimating Timeline
• The Purpose and Contents of the Business Case
• Project Management Plan (PMP)
• Evaluating Project Costs: Direct and Indirect Costs

Day 2: Project Appraisal: Identification, Policy Analysis & Selection Continued

• Project Analysis under Risk and Uncertainty
• Viability vs. Feasibility vs. Risk
• Strategic Project Selection
• Linking Strategy and Objectives (Cause and Effect)
• Project Appraisal: Financial and Economic Factors
• Sources of Finance
• Project Economic Evaluation
• Project Finance
• Investment Decisions
• Traditional Project Delivery Systems
• New Trends in Project Delivery Systems
• Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Project Delivery
• Project Feasibility Studies
• Best Practices in Contractor Selection

Day 3: Project Appraisal: Financial and Economic Factors Continued

• Managing, Controlling, and Modeling Cash Flow
• Types of Cost
• Upfront Costs
• Annual Cost and Benefits
• The Challenge of Financial Economic Decision-Making
• Time Value of Money
• Financial Analysis Techniques
• Revisiting Key Concepts in Decision Making
• Earned Value Management

Day 4: Project Risk Analysis & Management

• Risk Planning (Step 1): Plan the Approach to Risk Management
• Risk Identification (Step 2)
• Risk Assessment & Quantification (Step 3)
• Risk Response Planning (Step 4)
• Risk Management Plan Execution (Step 5)
• Evaluating Risk Response Results (Step 6)

Day 5: Module 3 Continued

• The PPP Contract Model
• Project Funding Solutions
• Course Review and Summary

Conclusion

Understanding project appraisal and project risk management is crucial in today’s complex environment. This training course addresses the importance of project appraisal and the essential techniques for effective project evaluation, empowering participants to master all aspects of project risk management and its application in their specific contexts. Through this proactive approach, participants will be prepared to set up their projects for long-term success and sustainability.