2023 PROJECT MANAGER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

The ABA Project Manager Development Program is a 60-hour course taught over a 6-month period. Class meets on the following Wednesdays & Thursdays from 7:30am – 2:30pm.
JANUARY 11 & 12, 2023 | FEBRUARY 8 & 9, 2023
APRIL 12 & 13
, 2023 | MAY 10 & 11, 2023 | JUNE 14 & 15, 2023

*LIMTED TO 4 ATTENDEES PER COMPANY

WHAT IS THE PROJECT MANAGER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM?

The Project Manager Development Program (PMDP) for early-career project managers or those looking to move into such a role, is a five-unit program that covers the essentials of project management and provides a solid foundation for long-term career development. The curriculum for this course comes from the Associated General Contractors of America and a certificate of completion from the AGC will be given to all students completing all five units. Class size is limited to 40 participants.

The program is offered annually by the ABA in order to teach a new generation of project managers the essential skills to ensure project success. PMDP participants are likely to have various titles depending on the kind of work they perform, the geographical location of their projects, and the size of their company. They may have titles such as assistant project manager, project manager, field engineer, project engineer, project administrator, etc. They may have experience as estimators, field personnel, project assistants, or office managers, and they may work in the heavy and highway sector, the commercial building sector, or in residential construction. They will most likely be early in their careers, have some post-high-school education, and less than two years of project-related experience.

PMDP is a nationally recognized training standard. Individuals who complete all five PMDP courses will receive an AGC Project Manager Development Program Certificate of Completion

The five-course program will be held at ABA Offices Located at 2552 W. Erie Dr. Suite 106 Tempe, AZ 85282 and takes 60-hours to complete. It includes the following units:

  • Unit 1: Introduction to Project Management - January 11 & 12

  • Unit 2: Initiating and Planning (Part 1) – February 8 & 9

  • Unit 3: Initiating and Planning (Part 2) – April 12 & 13

  • Unit 4: Executing – May 10 & 11

  • Unit 5: Monitoring, Controlling, and Project Closeout – June 14 & 15

This course will provide an understanding of how basic contracts are structured, how different types of contracts are used, and how project documentation relates to effective contracting for early-career project managers.

Unit 1: Introduction to Project Management

  • The five process groups in Project Management
  • Discuss the importance of time management and work/life balance
  • Project Managers’ role and responsibilities in the construction industry
  • The importance of consistent implementation of personnel management policies
  • Identify the soft skills critical to the Project Manager role
  • Summarize the value of communication and ethics
  • Discuss the importance of leadership and teamwork
  • Explain why a Project Manager must be an effective problem solver
  • Identify the technical skills critical to the Project Manager role
  • Explain why the Project Manager must proficiently use computer software
  • Identify the need for building codes and permits
  • Describe the impact of Construction Law on the Project Manager’s roles and responsibilities
  • Define the terms commonly used in Construction Law
  • Discuss the importance of project safety and risk
  • Identify State and Federal construction industry safety laws
  • Identify the four most common types of project delivery systems
  • Explain the purpose of an Estimate during project planning
  • Explain the difference between quality assurance and quality control
  • Describe the Project Manager’s role in documenting progress throughout the project

Unit 2: Initiating and Planning Part 1

  • Define the five process groups in Project Management
  • Identify the stakeholders participating in a construction project
  • Determine the project objectives
  • Explain the purpose of the project scope
  • Identify the impact of scope creep during a project
  • Speculate how environmental and sustainability considerations can impact the project scope
  • Discuss the importance of a Project Plan to the success of a construction project
  • Discuss the differences between planning and scheduling
  • Identify the components of a project schedule using the known timeframe and factors associated with a construction project
  • List the documents included in a Project Plan

Unit 3: Initiating and Planning Part 2

  • Explain the difference between a Budget, an Estimate, and a Bid
  • List the steps to create an Estimate in chronological order
  • Identify the differences between the components of an Estimate
  • List the characteristics of an effective Estimate
  • List the documents included in a completed Estimate
  • Describe the differences between a contractor and a subcontractor
  • Determine overhead costs and factor them into Estimates
  • Explain the benefits of implementing Value Engineering
  • List the steps to create a Bid in chronological order
  • List the documents included in a completed Bid
  • List the items developed during the Planning process group of Project Management
  • Identify the elements of a Quality Plan for a construction project
  • Identify the elements of a Team Acquisition Plan for a construction project
  • Identify the elements of a Communication Management Plan for a construction project
  • Identify the elements of a Risk Management Plan for a construction project
  • Identify the elements of a Project Procurement Plan for a construction project
  • Identify the elements of a Stakeholder Management Plan for a construction project
  • Identify planning resources used by the Project Manager

Unit 4: Executing

  • Discuss contract language related to a construction project
  • Identify techniques for negotiating contracts and subcontracts
  • Identify the standard documents included in a construction contract
  • Explain the process of subcontractor and owner billing
  • Discuss the purpose of a mechanic’s lien for security interest
  • Identify the circumstances that lead to contract termination
  • Describe how to use the schedule as a tool during the Execution process group of Project Management
  • Discuss the importance of tracking the Estimate against project costs
  • Summarize the steps to acquiring and developing a project team
  • Describe how to effectively implement communication plans during the Execution process group of Project Management
  • Describe the process for distributing documentation during a project
  • Discuss how to implement risk responses to previously identified project risks
  • Discuss how to implement responses to newly identified risks during the execution of a project
  • Identify the process for purchasing and procurement of project materials
  • Explain the importance of proper material handling and storage
  • Explain the importance of the Uniform Commercial Code
  • Discuss the challenges of selecting equipment for a construction project
  • Explain how to process requests for information between stakeholders
  • Identify techniques for managing routine and surprise inspections

Unit 5 Monitoring, Controlling, and Project Closeout

  • Describe how changes to the project impact the overall project scope and estimate
  • Manage changes to the project schedule during a project
  • Explain the term “time value of money” as it applies to a construction project
  • Identify the process steps for managing/documenting the time and scope changes to a project
  • Demonstrate the correct process to manage a change request
  • Outline the steps to engaging with building authorities
  • Describe the process for addressing identified non-compliant items following testing
  • Identify available software options for Construction Management
  • Describe the process for documenting project team communications
  • Manage project risks that arise during the execution of a project
  • Oversee the processing of claims for time and cost
  • Describe the importance and the steps of title transfer to the owner
  • Identify conflict resolution techniques to monitor disputes
  • Outline tips for scheduling an effective meeting
  • Describe the process of closing out a project with a client
  • Summarize the importance of a positive customer experience throughout the project
  • Outline the components involved in owner training prior to closing out a project
  • Verify product quality through testing, balancing, and commissioning prior to the completion of the project
  • Describe the purpose of As-Built Drawings
  • Define the difference between substantial completion and final completion
  • Generate and complete the punch list
  • Describe the difference between a warranty and liability tail
  • Explain the additional closeout requirements for a LEED-Certified project
  • Describe the process to manage and mitigate liquidated damages



PMDP ADVISORY BOARD

Andrea Ramos

Project Director
McCarthy Building Companies

Andy Platt

Construction Manager
Agate Inc.

John Lewis III

Project Manager
Clayco

Emerson Ward

Project Director
CORE Construction

Dan Menghini

Project Director
Chasse Building Team

Kris Geltch

Vice President
JENCO


Jim Rogers

Instructor
LinkedIn Learning

Wes Despins

Project Manager
Sundt Construction