Staff within publishing companies are increasingly asked to act as project managers, overseeing new product developments and launches.
This one-day course has been created for those working in non-editorial publishing roles who have to manage projects. Whether you are tasked with organising an event, updating a website, running production schedules, or launching a new app, it will give you the confidence to be a good project manager. You’ll gain tips on how to get the most out of your time, understand the terminology of project management; and learn how to plan, execute and close a project. It will also look at good communication, budgeting, scheduling and dealing with any difficulties that may arise.
Please note that the examples in this course are drawn exclusively from non-editorial projects. We recommend Editorial Project Management for editorial staff to gain a more detailed and sophisticated understanding of managing editorial print and digital projects.
Who is it for?
Anyone within publishing who has been tasked with delivering a project, including Personal Assistants, Event Organisers, Project Managers, Publicity/Marketing Managers, Website Editors/Managers
Those new to project management who need an overview of what it is and how it works
Staff who manage freelancers and offshore suppliers
Those who are thinking of moving into a more project-focused role
What will you achieve?
On completing this course you’ll be able to:
Organise your time effectively to maximise your impact
Manage all steps of a project, from budgeting and scheduling through execution to close
Run a project successfully, delivering it on time and on budget
Deal with communication and other problems
Use templates and tools to help projects run smoothly
Programme
Day 1
Session 1
Projects and Project Managers
Time management
The Project life-cycle
Writing a plan
Building a team
Session 2
Budgeting
Scheduling
The Project Triangle
Day 2
Session 3
Risk management
Managing offshore
Troubleshooting - coping with change
Session 4
Troubleshooting - dealing with delay, communication issues, negotiating
Leading a project
Closing a project
Useful resources
How the course is delivered
The course consists of four x 90-minute sessions, each a mixture of delivery and interaction using Zoom breakout rooms and other online tools. There will be 30-minute breaks between the two sessions during the morning. The course will run on the same day across two weeks, split into two half-day sessions in the morning from 9am to 12.30pm.
You will need to activate a free Zoom account to join the course. This takes two minutes and does not require any payment. It is purely for administrative purposes.
Any information to be completed beforehand will be sent via email.
Accessibility
Please contact us at with any accessibility or special requirements, for example having in-session captions or the learning materials sent to you in advance.
If you have any concerns about technical requirements or access please contact us on or telephone (+44) 020 8874 2718.
In-house training
This course is also available for in-company training, either virtually or in person at your office. Course content is tailored to suit your requirements. Group sizes range from five to twelve attendees. To find out more, email or telephone +44 (0)20 8874 2718.
Delegate feedback
“I enjoyed the course! Especially the interactive side which was particularly good! I’ve gained a basic understanding of project management and what the major keys are.” Graduate Student, Bachelor in Political Science
“I enjoyed the interactive format of the course and appreciated all the tips along the way! I’ve gained new ideas for time management and a good overview of the steps needed to manage a project.” Production Specialist, Frontiers Media
“I thoroughly enjoyed the course. Petra is skilled at encouraging discussions without causing any anxiety/discomfort – I felt happy to contribute, even if I didn't know the answer. I appreciated the warm, non-judgemental group environment. I have increased confidence, sharpness and awareness of the skills required for successful project management and have gained better vocabulary to use going forward."Class Publishing delegate
“I enjoyed the course a lot. It was great to share personal examples from everyone's work environment. I’ve gained tools to improve the structure my day and a better idea of how to formally plan and track all the elements of a project.” Frontiers Media delegate
“I enjoyed the course very much. As a freelancer, it has given me confidence in how I manage my projects, an insight into how the industry expects projects to be run, and an idea of how such a role is decided on in in-house settings.” Freelance Permissions Consultant
“An excellent course. I’ve gained knowledge of how to manage projects effectively.” Editorial Manager, Pan Macmillan
“I enjoyed the course and appreciated Petra's style of presenting. It has allowed me to take a broader, longer-term approach to my workload and scheduling. As someone who gets bogged down working task-to-task without a great deal of foresight, it was useful to take the time to assess that the amount of hours needed is often wildly disproportionate to the hours available. This will give me confidence in setting others' expectations for what is possible and prioritising better and more firmly.” Edward Elgar Publishing delegate
About the tutor
Petra Green is Head of the PTC, Managing Director of a small independent publisher, a business mentor and trainer. She has spent 25 years in book, magazine and online publishing in a variety of roles. Petra has run dozens of projects across data, editorial, events, market research, marketing and production for previous employers and clients.
Related courses
The PTC offers virtual classroom courses, self-study distance-learning courses, and a range of e-learning modules. See below for those that complement or build on this course.
To join the course, you will need access to a computer, tablet or laptop with a camera and microphone. You will need to activate a free Zoom account to join the course. This takes two minutes and does not require any payment. It is purely for administrative purposes.