Association of Corporate Counsel Boston University School of Management
Business Education for In-house Counsel

PROJECT MANAGEMENT FOR THE IN-HOUSE LAW DEPARTMENT

2012 Date:

  • November 7-8

Projects are the way work gets done in companies of all types and sizes. In this new program, learn the strategic dimensions of project management, including critical aspects of project definition, planning, execution, project tools and monitoring. Concepts and approaches for dealing with complexity, uncertainty, vague mandates, project team dynamics, stakeholders, risk management and time-critical deadlines are emphasized. You will identify a project from your work environment to use to exercise your new skills. Past class projects include matter management system deployments, E-discovery system and process improvement projects, litigation and compliance programs. Many corporate counsel are tested on the job through tough assignments in project settings. Your performance there is highly visible. Prepare now for success in strategic project management by developing the skills and perspectives covered in this program.

In this program, you will:

  • Learn why successful project management is essential for innovative organizations
  • Understand project constraints and examine how to balance priorities between the constraints to arrive at a project plan
  • Discuss the important roles and responsibilities for successful projects including the project charter and team composition
  • Define processes for facilitating appropriate teamwork, collaborative problem solving and managing conflict
  • Examine why projects fail and how to apply best practices to create success
Sample Program:
  Day 1 Day 2
AM Project Management Process, Business Context and Deliverables Executing and Controlling the Project
PM Scoping and Launching the Project
The Dynamics of a High-Performance Project Team
Applying Project Management in the Real World
Session Descriptions:
Title Description
Project Management Process, Business Context and Deliverables
  • Discuss why successful project management is essential for innovative organizations
  • Understand the primary characteristics of projects and the criteria for success
  • Understand how the environment, stakeholders, schedule, cost and quality requirements impact the definition of deliverables
  • Define project needs, solutions and deliverables
Scoping and Launching the Project
  • Understand how to frame the project using the work breakdown structure, critical path analysis, responsibilities matrix
  • Understand project constraints and examine how to balance priorities between the constraints to arrive at a project plan
  • Determine the communication plan for the project
  • Identify project tools that can contribute to successful projects
Executing and Controlling the Project
  • Discuss the important roles and responsibilities for successful projects including the project charter and team composition
  • Discuss the importance of project tracking and the establishing of project milestones
  • Work to identify potential project risks and develop strategies for risk mitigation
  • Develop frameworks for monitoring project costs and for assessing time/cost trade-offs
The Dynamics of a High Performance Project Team
  • Develop understanding of the process of building a high performance team environment
  • Discuss the formal and informal roles of project manager and members to ensure successful project execution
  • Define processes for facilitating appropriate teamwork, collaborative problem solving and managing conflict
Applying Project Management in the Real World
  • Comparative overview of projects vs programs vs portfolios
  • Discussion of project examples from class participants
  • Why projects fail and how to apply best practices to create success
  • Define projects vs operational work in your business environment
Registration Information:
Program Date Early Registration Deadline Early Registration Rate (ACC Members/Non Members*) Regular Registration Rate (ACC Members/Non Members*)  
Nov 7-8 Sept 5 $1,552/$1,847 $1,632/$1,927 Register
*Must be in-house counsel to attend. Nonmember rate includes a one-year membership to ACC.
**In-Transition Rate: A special in-transition rate for Mini MBA is available to existing ACC members who are actively seeking an in-house position. In-transition counsel who are not current members of ACC are not eligible for this rate.
Program Faculty:
(for individual faculty bios, please visit the Faculty Information page)

Visit the Registration page
All programs take place at the Executive Leadership Center, Boston University School of Management in Boston, MA.
For hotel and travel information, please visit the Lodging page.
Payment and Cancellation Policy