Advanced Project Management & Strategic Leadership
Overview
Discover the world of project management - and enjoy a career that requires leadership, organization, and problem solving skills to successfully complete complex tasks and achieve team goals.
In the current business environment, professionals face many challenges due to the continuously evolving and competitive business world. One of the major challenges they face is managing complex projects that are critical to achieving their organizations strategic initiatives.
The program aligns itself with the PMI® A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) - Seventh Edition, Project Management Institute, Inc., 2021 and heavily utilizes foundational standards and practice frameworks prescribed by the Project Management Institute (PMI).
In the first term of the Advanced Project Management & Strategic Leadership program, students will acquire skills in project management and business leadership by working through unique types of projects and business scenarios. Students will learn how projects originate; how to define scope and work through the project planning process. The student will gain knowledge in professional communications by learning Canadian business practices and communication styles. They will also gain valuable technical and analytical expertise in a hands-on lab environment and/or their personal technological device (laptop or personal computer).
During the second term of the program, students further their project management knowledge by exploring the dynamics of managing project uncertainty including risk and procurement and acquiring the soft skills necessary to be successful leaders. They continue their journey down the project management path by learning how to manage project execution while monitoring and controlling all aspects of the project during this critical phase. In this term, students begin co-op preparation through an instructor led course.
The scope of the third term is heavily focused on Agile Methodologies, including Scrum, Waterfall, etc. in addition to change and project health management while ensuring proper closing of a project. Soft skills are enhanced through an Everything You Need to Know to be a Project Manager course. A capstone project simulation course enhances the core principles learned throughout the two terms.
The fourth term is co-op where the student is provided with the necessary tools and mentoring to acquire a co-op. Should the student not be eligible for co-op, another opportunity exists to enroll and gain further knowledge in the WIL program.
Hear How Saurabh Enjoyed Lambton College
Admission Requirements
- University degree
The admissions process is competitive and meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee admission.
Lambton College reserves the right to alter information including admission requirements and to cancel a program or course at any time; to change the program curriculum as necessary to meet current competencies or changes in the job market; to change the pathways to third-party certification bodies; or to withdraw an offer of admission both prior to and after its acceptance by an applicant or student because of insufficient applications or registrations or over-acceptance of offers of admission. In the event Lambton College exercises such a right, Lambton College's sole liability will be the return of monies paid by the applicant or student to Lambton College.English Language Requirements
- IELTS of 6.5
- or -
- TOEFL iBT 79
- or -
- Passed Lambton Institute of English placement test
Please Note: IELTS is the only proficiency score accepted by the Study Direct Stream (SDS) program. Additional country-specific requirements may also be applicable.
Meeting the minimum English requirements does not guarantee admission. Students with higher English proficiency scores will receive priority in the admission assessment process.
Authorized Training Partner
Issued by the Project Management Institute (PMI)
Lambton College of Applied Arts and Technology is an Authorized Training Partner of the Project Management Institute®. As an Authorized Training Partner, Lambton College, Lambton College In Mississauga and Lambton College in Toronto are authorized to support the educational development needs of those in pursuit of PMI Credentials. This program qualifies for professional development units (PDUs).
The PMI Authorized Training Partner logo is a registered mark of the Project Management Institute, Inc.
Costs
- Term 1 $9,493.17
- Term 2 $8,707.07
- Term 3 $9,477.07
- Co-op Term $0.00
Total Cost of Program
Tuition fees are estimates and are subject to change each academic year. Fees do not include books (unless specifically noted), supplies or living costs.
Lambton College reserves the right to alter information including admission requirements and to cancel at any time a program or course; to change the location and/or term in which a program or course is offered; to change the program curriculum as necessary to meet current competencies or changes in the job market; to change the pathways third-party certification bodies; or to withdraw an offer of admission both prior to and after its acceptance by an applicant or student because of insufficient applications or registrations or over-acceptance of offers of admission. In the event Lambton College exercises such a right, Lambton College’s sole liability will be the return of monies paid by the applicant or student to Lambton College.
Additional Fees
WIL Project Fees
Students who are not successful in securing a co-op or fail to meet the co-op requirements will need to register in CPL-5559 WIL Project.
There is an additional fee of $2,100 for each student enrolled in the WIL Project course.
Important Dates, Deadline & Late Fees
For additional information on registration dates, deadlines and late fees please refer to Registration Dates and Deadlines.
Student Fees
A student services fee is included in your tuition.
Health Insurance Coverage
Emergency medical insurance is mandatory for all international students at Lambton College. This includes students who are full-time and part-time and who are on a co-op. This insurance is provided by guard.me - a third party insurance provider.
See Insurance Costs & DetailsTechnology Requirements
In order to keep pace with the requirements of each and every course in your program, Lambton College requires that each student have access to a laptop while studying at our college.
Courses
Project Management: Overview & Context
In this course, the student is introduced to project management fundamentals and core concepts providing an understanding of the various project life cycles and processes. This course explores the Project Management Institute website and what it has to offer in terms of certifications, practice guides and the reference site. The student will learn about different certifications available demonstrating effort and commitment to the profession. The newest version of the PMBOK Guide and the Standard for Project Management will be the focus laying a sound foundation for all future program courses. Upon completion the students will be aware of several common project management terms, the project management framework, and the profession itself. The student will have experienced team building and teamwork by applying case study assignments to demonstrate their learnings.
Initiating a Project
In this course, students develop a structured approach to project initiation and an understanding of the performance domains of stakeholders, planning and communication. Key to this approach is the linkage of the business need to the project outcomes and application of project selection in an organization. Students will examine the Project Charter, linking the business case to the project objectives and outcomes. Examining various models, artifacts, and methodology to use when initiating a project for traditional, agile and hybrid. Students will learn the Stakeholder Project Management Principles, including analysis of project stakeholders, tailoring to stakeholders and project methodology, determining which artifacts are relevant for stakeholder analysis and creation of a stakeholder engagement plan to deliver identified outcomes. Communication models and methodology will be examined to create a communication plan to engage identified stakeholders. Students will learn appropriate communication methods based on project methodology and how to properly assess communication is delivering planned outcomes.
Professional Communications
This course is designed for international students with diplomas or degrees. It focuses on polishing communications skills acquired through one's academic career and workplace experience. Through various business writing and speaking scenarios, students learn Canadian business practices and communication styles, incorporating inclusivity and diversity. Close attention is paid to proper incorporation of the intellectual property of others to ensure academic integrity. Students will practice organized and dynamic speaking and will strive for polished business documents.
Identifying Project Requirements: Scope & Quality
In this course students identify and define project scope and quality requirements using an array of tools and techniques, including Planning Scope Management, Collecting Requirements, Defining Scope, Creating the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and Planning Quality Management. Materials in this class are based on the A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, (PMBOK® Guide) - Seventh Edition, Project Management Institute Inc., 2021.
Project Resource Planning: Resource Management
The course provides an introduction into the complex topic of resource planning for a project. Students will learn how to: define all the project activities required; estimate the resources required; create a time-phased budget; develop a schedule; and acquire, develop & manage a project team with the three types of project development approaches. Students will learn how all these processes interact with one another over the course of the project life cycle.
MS Project Data Analysis
In this course, the student is introduced to understanding, organizing, and presenting data in useful visual formats to able to interpret, analyze and make decisions on a project. The student is presented with a number of techniques and tools within MS Excel and MS Project to aid with data analysis. Upon completion, the student will be able to use a number of advanced features within Excel as well as create a complete MS Project Schedule. The student will have the knowledge to monitor the progress of the project using Earned Value Management and utilize several reporting tools within MS Project.
Job Search & Success
This course provides student with skills and knowledge to help support their career search and succeed in the workplace. Students align their personal skill set and goals to guide them on their career paths. They will learn how to effectively conduct a job search, build a professional and well-tailored resume and cover letter, and develop and practice interview techniques. Students will also develop their personal brand to help support effective career networking and aid in their job search. Teamwork and collaboration in the workplace are also discussed. Self-reflection is used to inspire insight and support their professional career journey.
Managing Project Uncertainty: Risk & Procurement Management
In this course, the student explores project uncertainty management. First is the assessment of the level of uncertainty in a project. Next is an understanding of projects with processes that do not change significantly from one project to another (defined process control) and those with high uncertainty that have processes that adapt both the solution and the process to discover the solution as the project progresses (empirical process control). Also, the student explores when and how to blend the two approaches to fit the situation when required. Two related planning areas are examined; risk and procurement management. Risk management planning includes identifying and analyzing risk and developing risk response plans. Procurement management planning involves acquiring goods and services from external organizations. In each case, the level of uncertainty and the factors that drive uncertainty in the project environment must be assessed to determine the appropriate approach to management.
Executing the Project
In this course, students explore the execution of projects with differing development approaches and life cycles. Projects may exist in predictable environments characterized by precise requirements and end-to-end plans or in environments of high uncertainty and complexity with processes that adapt both the solution and the process to discover the solution as the project progresses. Project environments may be one or the other or a hybrid. The studies include leading, planning, and managing stakeholders, teams, project work, delivery, measurement, uncertainty, scope, schedules, cost, quality, communications, procurements, conflicts, and ethical and legal issues in a project environment. Students would compare execution for differing project development approaches and life cycles for each.
Advanced Data Analytics
In today's highly connected world, organizations are in a privileged position where they can gather incredible amounts of data. Extracting value, analyzing the data and presenting in a readable form empowers decision makers across all levels and all industries to make critical business decisions on quality reliable data. This is a fundamental skill for all professionals today and in the foreseeable future. In this course, students will: Understand and design strategies to address business problems using reliable quality data. Utilize data gathering techniques to obtain quality data. Describe data repositories and accessibility to data keeping in mind data security requirements. Explore the different sources of data and data manipulation techniques. Ensure data quality by utilizing Excel's built in data quality tools and Power Query. Understand what a data connection is and work with multiple datasets to acquire the desired data for analysis. Manipulate and present data to demonstrate a business problem and solution using Power BI's Dashboard functionality and ad hoc reporting.
Professional Practice & Ethics
A solid sense of your own professional ethical standards allows you to live an professional authentic life and be more confident about the choices you make at work. In your role as a Project Manager or any other professional, this study of ethics will address professional ethical issues by exploring different ethical theories and approaches to decision making. Students will learn the elements of logical discussion and debate as well as cognitive biases that can create flaws in our own thinking. Whether you are faced with a personal ethical dilemma or a disagreement with colleagues, students will be better prepared to analyze the issue and apply ethical reasoning to create a satisfactory conclusion. Students will also gain better insight into the code of ethics as enunciated by the project management institute (PMI) and other Project Management bodies. Also, business ethics represent the standards for right and wrong that govern how business people act. The term also refers to the study of moral principles in the workplace. This course reviews the major ethical issues facing project managers. It looks at the specific challenges project leaders may confront as they deal with team members, vendors, stakeholders, and sponsors.
Project Leadership: Managing the Project Team
By the end of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills necessary to create, develop, and lead high-performing teams for predictive and agile project methodologies. They will be able to implement strategies, best practices, and effective leadership techniques to foster collaboration, motivation, and excellence within project teams, ultimately contributing to the successful achievement of project goals and objectives.
Monitoring & Controlling Project Requirements
In this course, the student explores project management approaches to accomplishing project objectives and meeting quality requirements by tracking and measuring project performance and taking appropriate actions to maintain acceptable performance. Work in the project measurement domain is often concerned with tracking and managing project work, delivery, uncertainty scope, schedules, costs, quality, and stakeholders.
Project Closures Introduction to Agile Methodologies
In this course, the student examines the processes and activities involved in closing the project and handing over the project after completion. This includes; pre-commissioning, commissioning, hand-over to client, financial, contract, and administrative closure. The course also explores other project management methodologies beyond the traditional 'waterfall' planning approach. The course also introduces the Agile concepts from the Agile PMBOK, using the Scrum and Kanban framework as examples. Also, the course introduces students to PRINCE2 framework. PRINCE2 guides you through the stages of a project's lifecycle, bringing structure and a common language to your projects. It represents the "how to" of project management: it is flexible, scalable, and can be tailored to meet your specific requirements. PRINCE2 is based upon the tried and tested experience of project management practitioners around the world, and provides the themes, principles, and processes to deliver successful projects of any size and complexity. Upon completion of the adaptive project management area of this course, students will be able to understand the fundamentals of Agile, Scrum, and Kanban, discover how to leverage early and continuous feedback to deliver products that delight customers, and will be able to define key roles and responsibilities of Agile team members. Finally, students will learn how to improve team productivity and quality by removing impediments and highlighting organizational inefficiencies, understand how to improve lead time and throughput by managing the amount of work in progress, and earn how to guide continuous improvement of the team and the organization.
Project Health and Change Management
In this course the student learns what change management is and the source of change as a result of strategic agility in the business environment for both traditional and agile projects. Assessing an organization's readiness for change will be outlined. Change as a strategy is emphasized, highlighting common models of change, the change life cycle framework, and planning and executing change in an Organizational Project Management (OPM) environment. There will be discussion on what project health is and how a project is assessed. The student will be introduced to continuous improvement techniques and process mapping tools.
Everything you need to be a Project Manager
This course introduces the student to discovering their individual personality type and behaviour using well-known models outlined in PMBOK 7. From there, they are introduced to a variety of required skill building techniques necessary in the pursuit of excellence to becoming effective leaders. Soft skills are the non-technical skills that sets one apart from the individual who may have the same technical skills. Soft skills relate to how leaders interact with others and includes skills such as: emotional intelligence, cultural intelligence, diversity equity and inclusion, conflict management, negotiation, problem solving and decision making. Students, equipped with these tools will excel in any role in the workplace and in their personal life.
Project Management Finance
In this course the student learns how projects are financed and how cash-flow is managed throughout the project life cycle. Unique aspects of project finance will be explored along with a review of key players, products and structures involved with project funding. Students will analyze the financial viability of a project utilizing key financial measurement and assessment tools. The importance of forecasting and managing cash flow through proper estimating and budgeting will also be studied and applied.
Agile - Scrum & Other Methodologies
Current business trends demand that practitioners of Project Management be drivers of disruption in organizations. Increasing uncertainty and volatility have accelerated disruption making digital transformation a necessity for survival. The application of agile thinking has gone beyond software development, agile marketing, management, and organizations are fast becoming mainstream. Business agility rewards include increased Return on Investment (RoI), Reduced Risk, Customer Delight, Rapid Innovation, Adaptable Teams, Employee Retention, and Growth, Faster Time to Market, and Value Driven Decisions. This course shall provide students with an in-depth view of Agile practices utilizing the Scrum framework now used in 80% of agile implementations. It will also briefly review other popular light agile frameworks such as Lean, Extreme Programming (XP), and Crystal as well as more extensive agile approaches such as the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) and Dynamic System Development Method (DSDM) and new popular trends such as DevOps. Also, there is an introduction to PRINCE2 Agile concepts. This is designed to help students deliver agile projects by tailoring PRINCE2 management controls with a broad toolset of agile delivery techniques and frameworks they will learn from this course. To properly illustrate these concepts, the case studies outline the product/software development process using scrum as the framework. Students will review common problems and pitfalls of Scrum implementations. This is a practical hands-on course with students expected to form scrum teams and collaborate in practicing and learning the principles, values, and techniques and documenting the artifacts. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to understand the fundamentals of Agile and Scrum in detail. They would appreciate adaptive and iterative frameworks. They would understand scrum processes, ceremonies, practices, artifacts, roles and, the way all this work together to deliver value to customers. They would know how scrum processes map to traditional project management. This course continues from where EPM-2113 ended.
Project Management Simulation
This course provides the student an opportunity to demonstrate their skills by acting in the role of the project manager. This simulated workshop consolidates the learning from the previous courses and provides an opportunity to put learning into action through the use of a computer-based project management simulation. Upon completion, students prepare a lessons learned audit capturing their reflection of their own performance and that of their teammates.
Co-op Work Term (Full-Time)
Co-operative education provides students with the opportunity to apply classroom learning to the workplace, undertake career sampling and gain valuable work experience that may assist students in leveraging employment after graduation. For further information regarding co-op, please refer to: https://www.lambtoncollege.ca/co-ops-placements
WIL Project
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Project is aimed at enriching students by connecting different program areas of study, cutting across subject-matter lines, and emphasizing unifying concepts. The focus of the WIL Project is to make connections between study and industry by engaging students in relevant and meaningful activities that are connected to and practiced within the professional workplace. WIL Project allows students to enhance and strengthen their employability prospects post-graduation by fine tuning skills and knowledge and meeting the expectations of today's employers. Students are required to attend the scheduled shifts in the WIL office, reporting to the WIL Supervisor. Weekly real-world challenges are presented in the WIL office, designed by industry professionals. In addition to the weekly assigned deliverables, students are also offered professional development sessions, and exposed to industry guest speakers, enhancing their opportunity to develop their professional network.
Co-op Eligibility & WIL Project Fee
In order to be eligible to secure an approved full-time co-op work term (CPL-1049), students must have a GPA of 2.8 or greater and complete all the co-op eligibility requirements. Failing to do so will require students to enroll in CPL-5559 WIL Project at an additional cost.
Contact
Centre for Global Engagement
LAMBTON COLLEGE SARNIA
226-313-7777
1457 London Road
Sarnia ON, N7S 6K4
After Graduation
Employment Opportunities
Project Management Professionals serve as strategic liaisons between the business and technological functions of an organization. Project managers integrate business processes and complex technologies while serving as consultants, designers, leaders and/or implementers of new solutions that assist an organization in achieving their business goals.
Employment opportunities may include: project manager, project control analyst, project analyst, business analyst, project schedule analyst, project control officer, project coordinator, director, and business systems analyst.
Post-Graduate Employment
International students who successfully complete their programs of study at Lambton College may be eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Program. This program allows students to gain valuable Canadian work experience.
A work permit under the PGWP may be issued for the length of the study program, up to a maximum of three years. A post-graduation work permit cannot be valid for longer than the student's study program, and the study program must be a minimum of eight months in length. The length and approval of the PGWP is determined solely by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Students must meet the eligibility requirements to apply for a post-graduation work permit.
Immigration Regulations & Changes
Immigration regulations are legislated by the Federal Government of Canada and are subject to change at any time without notice. Students are responsible for ensuring that they are in compliance with all Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada regulations at all times during their studies and while in Canada. Lambton College staff are not authorized to provide advice or guidance on immigration-related matters. Prospective applicants and current students should consult the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website or call the IRCC Call Centre at 1-888-242-2100 to answer or clarify any immigration-related questions or information.
Co-op
About Co-op
Students in this program have the opportunity to gain valuable work experience by applying classroom learning during co-op experiences.
Learn more about co-op terms and the roles and responsibilities of students and co-op advisors.
Co-op Success Story
As a co-op student, Kshitiji Nilesh Sule was fortunate to work with the Sarnia-Lambton Workforce Development Board. After graduating from the Advanced Project Management & Strategic Leadership program in 2022, he was hired as a Research Associate where he had the opportunity to lead projects and build strong relationships within the community.
"My main reason behind choosing Sarnia-Lambton was because of my educational background and experience. Sarnia is known as a Chemical Hub of Canada, I was able to leverage my skill set, experience and knowledge," said Sule. "I enjoy living and working in Sarnia; it's a small community that resembles my hometown and has a lot to offer for new immigrants. It has beautiful beaches and great weather, all year round."
Kshitiji Nilesh Sule was able to stay in the Sarnia community after securing a full-time job as a Scrum Coordinator at NOVA Chemicals.
More Information
Student Responsibilities
- Course and program delivery schedules are proposed and subject to change for each intake.
- Students are required to bring their own laptop with wireless capability.
- Students are advised to bring an official copy of their most recent police clearance, driver's license, and vaccination record from their home country.
Technology Requirements
It is recommended that students purchase a laptop with a Windows operating system.
Internet Speed Requirements
For best performance for students learning remotely, an internet connection with a minimum of 40 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload speed is recommended in order to effectively use video conferencing and remote lecture delivery software as well as, other online resources remotely. Due to the large area over which students may be dispersed, we are unable to recommend a specific provider, so you will need to inquire around your area to find one that best suits your needs.
Minimum Laptop Requirements
In order to access the internet and virtually-delivered software and courseware, student laptops should include the following at a minimum. By meeting the following specifications, students will be equipped to access software and courseware on their laptop through the internet:
- Intel i5 8th Gen Processor or equivalent
- 16 GB of RAM (with a minimum of 8 GB)
- 100 GB HDD or more
- HD Graphics
- Webcam with a microphone
- Wireless 802.11n/ac 5ghz capable
- Windows Operating System (Windows 11)
Software
To ensure students are getting the most our of their classroom experience, some software will be required.
Lambton College has made this software easily accessible online. Students can leverage our Microsoft Office 365 software packages and services. In addition, much of the software you require for your courses will be available on demand for use on any device - on or off campus.