Course Objectives The level of competition in current business environment requires an increasing focus on practices that assist in setting of goals, managing of the planning function and making proper decisions. Businesses and indeed, all organizations, find themselves needing to find more productive methods of planning, more appropriate goals and effective means of making decisions. This means goals are established, plans developed and decisions made which change processes, procedures, methods of doing business and better meet customer and stakeholder needs. A focus on using productive practices allows for effective and efficient management of work and making changes in the organization. The course is designed to give participants an understanding of several management methods, processes and procedures, as well as practice on several key management techniques. The principles used are easily adapted to an organization's or individual's work assignments. The course presents a methodology of common, standard management techniques using a simple theoretical foundation and enhances learning with practical activities so students can develop knowledge and skill to manage more effectively and efficiently. The Goals: • Understand and develop skills necessary to set goals and complete work on time • Recognize internal and external influences on our daily planning and decision making • Use basic planning process tools to plan work strategy • Set goals effectively and efficiently • Learn how to establish and maintain task deadlines • Consider methods of improving decision making • Understand how delegation can be used in setting of goals and planning • Understand the characteristics of colleagues who assist in our teams • Develop positive interpersonal techniques for better team relationships • Develop the ability to make higher quality decisions as individuals and teams Who should attend? The course is designed for anyone who desires to learn practical management techniques that will assist them in making good decisions, setting personal and team goals and develop personal and team plans. The course is appropriate for those who are responsible for managing any type of group or team or those who want to learn some skills to be able to better manage their work. Course outline Ø Current Status of Setting Goals, Planning and Decision Making • Introductions • Course purpose, goals and objectives • Overview and context of organizational change and the impact on goals, planning and decision making • Understanding of the current status of the organization, team and personal work • Review of management processes and skill areas • Using a planning process to set goals and get work started Ø Importance of Goal Setting and Planning Management • Integrating goals, scope, work structure and management planning • Identifying initial resource requirements • Identifying risk techniques that affect work assignments, priorities and deadlines • Communication that responds to: who, what where, when, how, why • Understanding the importance of quality planning in work assignments Ø Setting Priorities and Making Decisions in the Planning Process • Using planning to ensure task priorities are established • Planning for time management, scheduling and meeting deadlines • Integrating the functions into a final work plan • Improving communications and listening skills • Planning for delegation responsibility and authority • Techniques for making good decisions Ø Working with Your Team • Identifying skills required to obtain the help of others • The importance of group skills to achieve team success • The importance of interpersonal skills in making personal and team decisions • Empowering the team through delegation and decision making • The importance of effective communication in team relations Ø Developing Personal and Team Change Action Plans • Innovation and improvement for personal and team change • Identification of change processes and human change • Techniques to set personal and team change goals • Dealing with people who do not want change • Developing an action plan for personal and team