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Executive Education

Project Management Essentials

Delivering business benefits on time and on budget

Poor project planning and controlling are two key reasons projects fail. This valuable program looks at the total project management process: from initiating, planning and organizing to implementing and closing, with special emphasis on project planning. It will detail the stages and processes of managing scope, time, cost, quality, risk, resources and stakeholders at every stage of the process. It will also emphasize the human factors that play a critical role in every project. 

This workshop features action-learning and simulation exercises. You will be grouped into teams that will work together in “real-world” project environments. Each team will plan a project using the tools and techniques presented in the workshop, enabling you to experience the process of collaborative planning and see its effectiveness firsthand.  

Who is this for?    

Designed for those who are involved in projects of any size and type, the program suits:

  • New project managers
  • Operational managers
  • Project team leads 
  • Project or Executive Steering Committee Members
  • Individuals considering a career shift to professional project management 

The impact

Embarking on an Executive Education program focused on project management can be a transformative experience for individuals seeking to enhance their professional impact. Participants stand to gain a multitude of benefits:

Excel in project delivery:

  • Monitor and control project scope, time, costs, quality, resources and risk
  • Manage project changes to ensure delivery of business benefits 
  • Close and assess project success
  • Engage with stakeholders

Lead diverse, cross-functional project teams:

  • Use collaborative processes to plan and execute projects 
  • Improve team communication to build synergies
  • Project roles and relationships to build an effective team
  • Develop interpersonal skills: motivating, communicating, influencing, synergistic problem solving

Enhance your competencies:

  • Gain skills to apply basic project management processes, tools and techniques at every phase
  • Set realistic budgets and schedules
  • Identify key assessment factors

Grow your career:

  • Become a critical member of any project management team
  • Prepare for the prestigious PMP® designation
  • Become familiar with the PMI’s Project Management Framework, Processes and Knowledge Areas and industry standards
  • Learn project management terms, definitions and key assessment factors
  • Implement fundamental concepts and positive practices across all project phases
  • Build a project work breakdown structure, schedule, budget, quality standards, risk and stakeholder registers 
  • Strengthen your competence and confidence in building, leading and inspiring effective teams
  • Employ good communication to reduce potential conflicts and ensure smooth project flow
  • Understand project evolution and effectively manage changes
  • Ensure stakeholder engagement and satisfaction throughout the project lifecycle
  • Optimize staff resource utilization and output 
  • Reduce project delays and cost overruns
  • Elevate client satisfaction through more efficient project delivery
  • Foster a culture of clear communication and transparency among stakeholders
  • Increase team efficiency and self-sufficiency in handling projects
  • Elevate your project management maturity level
  • Accelerate business outcomes by cultivating internal project management expertise

Denise Holleran-Boswell

Denise Holleran-Boswell

Senior Associate

Denise is the Founder & Managing Partner of Collaborators In Knowledge Inc., the CIKI Learning Centre. She has over 40 years of industry experience as a practicing project, program and portfolio manager, specializing in change, risk, contract and partnership management. In her role as a project management mentor and coach, she has performed several project health checks, developed project management methodologies, and has trained thousands of people in both the private and public sectors.

Denise is both a certified Project Management Professional (PMP®) & Prosci Change Practitioner, and a past President of the Society of PMP’s of Greater Vancouver. As a part-time faculty member at the UBC Sauder School of Business, she is the Program Director for the Sauder Certificate in Professional Project Management, and acts as an advisor to UBC’s Business Analysis and Program Management Certificate Programs.

Denise has worked on a wide variety of industry projects in the private and public sectors, at both the national and international levels. She has also run management consulting practices at PricewaterhouseCoopers; BC Oracle, Pacific Northwest Consumer & Industrial Products and Global Forestry Technology. In addition, she has advised on project Executive Steering Committees for PwC and the International Association of Certified Public Accountants (CPAs).

Denise is often requested as a guest speaker. Most recently, she provided expert insight at Project World*Business Analyst World, the International Association of Business Analysis, Society of PMPs of Greater Vancouver, itSMF Annual National Conference, BC Manufacturer’s Executive Council and PwC’s Annual Global Forestry Industry Conference.

[Executive Education Programs] Project Management Essentials and Developing Successful Partnerships

Tracy Page

Tracy Page

Senior Associate

Tracy Page is a certified project management and change management consultant renowned for her expertise and sought after locally and internationally to guide clients through the successful delivery of complex projects.

For over a decade, Tracy has led programs in project management, communication and leadership at UBC Sauder Executive Education and has also taught in UBC Sauder’s MBA program. In her workshops, she consistently brings the latest evidence-based strategies in team and project management, while applying best practices in adult learning.

Known for her empathetic, “people-first” approach, Tracy empowers professionals to enhance their delivery skills, become more effective in their day-to-day working relationships, and elevate team morale.

Tracy has worked with companies ranging in size from 50 to 50,000 employees, spanning industries including construction, healthcare, accounting and real estate. Her client portfolio includes BC Hydro, BC Real Estate Association, Cisco Systems, Copperleaf Technologies, CPA Canada, PHSA and VCHA. She has also served on the boards of two non-profits to establish training and mentoring programs.

Tracy holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Simon Fraser University, a Provincial Instructor Diploma Program from Vancouver Community College, and a Master’s in Adult Education from the University of Calgary. She has held her PMP certification for over 20 years and is also ProSci Change Management certified.

[Executive Education Programs] Project Management EssentialsProject Management for Administrative ProfessionalsLeadership Excellence for Administrative ProfessionalsRisk Management, and Developing Successful Partnerships

Upcoming sessions

calendar Program dates
price_tag Fees and Taxes
notebook Format
filled_point Location
Mar 17 - 19, 2025
$2990.00 + tax (5%)

In-person

UBC Robson Square
Aug 18 - 20, 2025
$2990.00 + tax (5%)

In-person

UBC Robson Square
Mar 16 - 18, 2026
$2990.00 + tax (5%)

In-person

UBC Robson Square

Why UBC Sauder Executive Education?

Elevate your career and organization with UBC Sauder. Recognized as a global leader in executive education by the Financial Times, our programs deliver a transformative learning experience, resulting in tangible impact.

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Participating organizations

Success stories

"An excellent course, providing participants with the tools and fundamentals of project management. I believe the course content is immediately applicable to anyone involved in projects in the corporate world."
"This course provided the tools I needed to bring much-needed structure to my projects. Very informative, and enjoyable too!"

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