2010.05.8–9 Stellenbosch: Intensive Weekend Workshop in Project Management
See also
Workshop overview, fees, dates and cities
Interview about Workshop
Booking form
Feedback: Participants' overall experience
How would you describe your overall experience of the workshop to colleagues or friends?
A wonderful, intense, enlightening experience that leaves me wanting to know more! — Merrick Holtak | A very informative workshop that gives a intense insight into project management. A must go! — Marty Walters, Cricketer | Great! Crash course with the perfect mix between theory and practical examples. Definitely worthwhile! — Tim Shier, Quirk eMarketing | Just do it. Unforgettable. It's one weekend that will affect everything you do. — David Smith, DataCentrix | Very informative - well presented course. That will give you a holistic view of project management. The... and what is required as a career. — Sherieen Pretorius , Spier Wines | Doggone Good. Woof! Woof! — Mark O'Brien, Securitech SA (Mark's comment is based on an inside joke which pervaded the Workshop.) | A good all-round package to get started in project management. — Jaco van Tonder, iGubu Leadership Agency | If they are interested a definite must. — Gert van Rensburg, Corporate & Retail Construction | Well worth presented and value for money. — Meg Holtzhausen, J. Walter Thompson | Would recommend this to anyone that has an interest in PM. — Norman Sauermann, Corporate & Retail Construction | Ek het dit baie geniet, was leersaam en ek glo ek stap as 'n ryker mens weg. — Carina van Niekerk, Project Man | Very informative. Great value for money. Would recommend this. — Wayne Wolmarans, Corporate & Retail Construction | Value adding and learnt things I had heard of but never really knew about. — Tammy Joseph, Quirk eMarketing | Highly recommended for anyone that needs to manage things as part of their work. — John Murray, New Horizons | Very insightful and informative - a great foundation and very well presented. — Participant
What were the main positive things that contributed to your overall experience?
A concise understanding of PM. — Merrick Holtak | Learnt that the quiet people turn out the most effective project managers. — Marty Walters, Cricketer | Learning environment was great and very experiential and relaxed. — Tim Shier, Quirk eMarketing | The association and application of content. — David Smith, DataCentrix | The people interaction; the course material; the lecturer; the setting and service (food was excellent) — Sherieen Pretorius , Spier Wines | Learning can be enjoyable. — Mark O'Brien, Securitech SA | Diversity of the group; informal lecture style; — Jaco van Tonder, iGubu Leadership Agency | People's attitudes. — Gert van Rensburg, Corporate & Retail Construction | Understand that I've worked on projects for 8 years and still learned so much.— Meg Holtzhausen, J. Walter Thompson | The... interactive way of the workshop. — Norman Sauermann, Corporate & Retail Construction | Tipe aanbieding - interaksie met die groep. — Carina van Niekerk, Project Man | Fun and easygoing format and atmosphere; great facility; working in groups. — Wayne Wolmarans, Corporate & Retail Construction | Learning the step by step process. — Tammy Joseph, Quirk eMarketing | Venue, food, lecturers.— John Murray, New Horizons | Learning to draw from group experience and a great group of participants. — Participant
What are the main negative things that contributed to your overall experience?
Overall just a little fatigued. — Merrick Holtak | Too cold :( . Would have liked to really process some of the work (again, this was not the objective given time limitations) — Tim Shier, Quirk eMarketing | Once or twice my attention was lost with things not pertaining to me. — Gert van Rensburg, Corporate & Retail Construction | My tummy bug! — Meg Holtzhausen, J. Walter Thompson | It is a bit long for a day. — Wayne Wolmarans, Corporate & Retail Construction | Sometimes in the group things/concepts got lost and confused me because people had differing views. — Tammy Joseph, Quirk eMarketing | Final group exercise.
Most participants left this question blank or wrote "Nothing".
Enhancements to be introduced at the next Workshop (based on participants' input)
- Pre-drawn matrices for drawing Gantt charts (based on suggestion by John Murray of New Horizons and David Smith of DataCentrix).
- Model answers for key exercises (based on input from Tim Shier of Quirk eMarketing and provincial cricketer Marty Walters).
- "Parking" of participants' questions to be addressed later in relevant sections of the Workshop rather than answering immediately (based on comments by Wayne Wolmarans of Corporate & Retail Construction and Tammy Joseph of Quirk eMarketing).
- Team allocation according to experience for specific group exercises (based on recommendation by Meg Holtzhausen of J. Walter Thompson).
- Quicker confirmation of receipt of payment during booking process (based on comment by Merrick Holtak).
- Early notification of pending break by co-facilitator to prevent lecturer from continuing into scheduled break time (based on comments by Norman Sauermann of Corporate & Retail Construction and Sherieen Pretorius of Spier Wines).
- Regular monitoring of participants' physical needs (toilet breaks, smoke breaks and room temperature) by co-facilitator (based on feedback from Tim Shier of Quirk eMarketing, and others).
Feedback: Detailed comments
About signing up for the workshop
Tell us about the way which we responded to your initial enquiry.
Well, just needed confirmation on payment. — Merrick Holtak | A very prompt and efficient response. — Marty Walters, Cricketer | Simple, easy and informative communications helped me to quickly decide to take the workshop. — David Smith, DataCentrix | Very professionally and comprehensively. — Sherieen Pretorius , Spier Wines | The phone calll helped to decide on the best option to use. — Mark O'Brien, Securitech SA | Quick and effectively. — Jaco van Tonder, iGubu Leadership Agency | I didn't actually know what to say, thought I will never receive a phonecall, as you post questions to companies sometimes and hear nothing. — Meg Holtzhausen, J. Walter Thompson | Informative and completely professional. — Norman Sauermann, Corporate & Retail Construction | Ek was baie beïndruk. Baie profesioneel maar ook warm en vriendelik. — Carina van Niekerk, Project Man | Swiftly. — Wayne Wolmarans, Corporate & Retail Construction | Good. Quick. — John Murray, New Horizons | Quickly and efficiently - response was friendly and informative.— Participant
What made you decide to book?
I wanted to find out more about project management, before committing any time and money. — Merrick Holtak | Want to learn/know more about project management. — Marty Walters, Cricketer | Always enjoyed project management but finding myself in different projects (software) to which the learning curve and risk is..." — Tim Shier, Quirk eMarketing | The professionalism of communication and feedback viewed from previous workshops.— David Smith, DataCentrix | Received a referral from someone else. Tania answered my call and was very informative. — Sherieen Pretorius , Spier Wines | New KPA at work.— Mark O'Brien, Securitech SA | I needed skills urgently. — Jaco van Tonder, iGubu Leadership Agency | We wanted to know more and a direction.— Gert van Rensburg, Corporate & Retail Construction | After my phone call with Marius as it's been something I wanted to do for a long time. — Meg Holtzhausen, J. Walter Thompson | To excel more in what I am doing. — Norman Sauermann, Corporate & Retail Construction | Ek glo dit is wat ek nodig gehad het. | — Carina van Niekerk, Project Man | After talking to Marius on the phone, he outlined the course content and aims. — Wayne Wolmarans, Corporate & Retail Construction | Would be a valuable contribution and learning experience in my field.—Tammy Joseph, Quirk eMarketing | Twitter Discount. — John Murray, New Horizons | I have been interested for a while and my colleague and I decided to do it together. — Participant
About the environment
What did you think of the venue and catering?
Great food, pity about the construction, however really good. — Merrick Holtak | Venue and catering were exceptional. — Marty Walters, Cricketer | Great! Food was excellent, atmosphere was very relaxing and let to a good learning environment. — Tim Shier, Quirk eMarketing | Excellent, I cannot fault anything. I may have to compliment on everything should the writing space be provided :) — David Smith, DataCentrix | Excellent, outstanding. The best I have experienced by far at any conference I have attended. — Sherieen Pretorius , Spier Wines | Best venue I've ever been to. catering was more than expected. — Mark O'Brien, Securitech SA | Very good. — Jaco van Tonder, iGubu Leadership Agency | Could not be better! — Norman Sauermann, Corporate & Retail Construction | Excellent - beste ooit. — Carina van Niekerk, Project Man | Excellent. — Wayne Wolmarans, Corporate & Retail Construction | Excellent. — Tammy Joseph, Quirk eMarketing | Very good, food and drink was excellent. Decent sized mugs would be nice. | — John Murray, New Horizons | Beyond expectations, all beautifully presented - very neat and clean.— Participant
| ProjectManagement.co.za thanks Jo Venter and her team at the Wallenberg Centre @ STIAS, who provided exquisite class and elegance in the high-quality catering (all Halaal), the modern floral decorations and facilitation of the layout specified by ProjectManagement.co.za for effective learning. |
About the learning materials
What did you think of the workbook?
Refreshing — Merrick Holtak | Fun, easy to follow and kept you in the "loop" of things.— Marty Walters, Cricketer | Loved it, removed technical waffle, nice and practical. — Tim Shier, Quirk eMarketing | It is good. It compliments the teaching method well. — David Smith, DataCentrix | Well presented - easier to understand and remember. — Sherieen Pretorius , Spier Wines | Very original. Loved Slayer's chirps. — Mark O'Brien, Securitech SA | It facilitated the learning process well. — Jaco van Tonder, iGubu Leadership Agency | Well thought up and laid out. — Gert van Rensburg, Corporate & Retail Construction | Love it! — Meg Holtzhausen, J. Walter Thompson | A nice, pleasant, comical way to be informed about facts. — Norman Sauermann, Corporate & Retail Construction | Wonderlik - die inhoud was komieklik maar het sodoende jou aandag gehou. Baie anders maar baie oorspronklik.— Carina van Niekerk, Project Man | Fun and informative. — Wayne Wolmarans, Corporate & Retail Construction | Creative, clever way of representing the course material and giving examples. — Tammy Joseph, Quirk eMarketing | Very good for the format of the course. — John Murray, New Horizons | Brilliantly executed. — Participant
What could be improved?
Templates of the actual reports just a examples. — Marty Walters, Cricketer | I'd like a set of examples of completed documents for reference at the end of the book. Not always sure if we got it "right". — Tim Shier, Quirk eMarketing | Pages where Gantt Charts are to be done, it would be helpful if a table was printed on them (blank of course). Could be applied elsewhere perhaps. — David Smith, DataCentrix | Some additional reading/study sources. — Jaco van Tonder, iGubu Leadership Agency | People who have experienced working on a project be in a separate group as the less experienced participants just go with the flow in both groups I've been in. — Meg Holtzhausen, J. Walter Thompson | Hard to say, only time will tell. For me it was excellent. — Norman Sauermann, Corporate & Retail Construction | Kan nie dink aan iets nie. — Carina van Niekerk, Project Man | More notes. — Tammy Joseph, Quirk eMarketing | Pre-drawn Gantt chart ( or provide us with rulers). — John Murray, New Horizons | Definitions of WBS and PBS (this is more personally than generally)— Participant
Several participants left this question blank or wrote "Nothing".
Did you find the quizzes helpful?
Quizzes helped with the brushing up of things covered. Possibly more questions could be set. — Marty Walters, Cricketer | Yes, helped to show team strengths and where they needed support or could support me/team :) — Tim Shier, Quirk eMarketing | Yes, and tricky! — Norman Sauermann, Corporate & Retail Construction
All the other participants wrote, "Yes."
About the lecturer
What did she do well?
To create and interactive environment, with a wealth of practical examples that explained her principles. — Merrick Holtak | Explained topics in a friendly, approachable manner. Related many topics to real life experiences. — Marty Walters, Cricketer | Excellent overall, very engaging. Took time for questions and demonstrated through personal experience and specific examples of tech application. — Tim Shier, Quirk eMarketing | Explanations were well linked to situational experiences. — David Smith, DataCentrix | Relating, communicating, explaining in terms we could understand. Also enjoyed the encouragement and the fact that she spoke to us not at us. — Sherieen Pretorius , Spier Wines | Never waffled but knew her content. Also passionate about what she does which maintains interest. — Mark O'Brien, Securitech SA | Explain PM concepts well and gave good examples. — Jaco van Tonder, iGubu Leadership Agency | Gets the info across very well. Keeps your attention. — Gert van Rensburg, Corporate & Retail Construction | Explaining. Quirky sense of humour. — Meg Holtzhausen, J. Walter Thompson | Kept your attention, first time I did not doze off during a lecture. — Norman Sauermann, Corporate & Retail Construction | Goeie aandbiedingsvermoë, "ability" om haar gehoor te hou. — Carina van Niekerk, Project Man | Great speaker/ lecturer and storyteller. Kept me interested. — Wayne Wolmarans, Corporate & Retail Construction | Provide good examples and set context. | — Tammy Joseph, Quirk eMarketing | Explained concepts and possible implementation very well. Answered questions well, kept audience engaged.— John Murray, New Horizons | Just about everything.— Participant
What could she have done better?
Can't think of anything. | — Merrick Holtak | After explaining a certain aspect with group activities, just clarify what actually was the correct way in producing say a business plan. Many groups had different answers and there was a slight gray are there. — Marty Walters, Cricketer | Given the "correct" solution, i.e. be a bit tougher on the delegates and show who did what well/badly (that said, for the teaching style I understand the approach). — Tim Shier, Quirk eMarketing | Timekeeping (lol) — Sherieen Pretorius , Spiar Wines | Sometimes spent too much time explaining a question. — Mark O'Brien, Securitech SA | I could not have done it better, therefore nothing. — Meg Holtzhausen, J. Walter Thompson | Varied off the subject at times. — Wayne Wolmarans, Corporate & Retail Construction | Sometimes waiver from the topic - stick to... better. — Tammy Joseph, Quirk eMarketing
Several participants left this question blank or wrote "Nothing".
Transformation
What one thing that you have learned will have the greatest impact on your work on Monday morning?
Rethink current methodology, and work through workbook, and implement what I have learned. — Merrick Holtak | Planning is essential and so is preparation. "Measure twice, cut once." — Marty Walters, Cricketer | You reminded me how anal I used to be about project management and documentation. It's not a priority in my current life and you have 1) Reignited this. 2) Empowered me with great knowledge. 3) Given me the ability to control current projects. — Tim Shier, Quirk eMarketing | Insight. Everything is going to change now. — David Smith, DataCentrix | How to approach Project Management - develop my own methodology - I see the Big Picture as far as a documentation point of view. — Sherieen Pretorius , Spiar Wines | Apply knowledge to existing projects first and then future projects. — Mark O'Brien, Securitech SA | Systemising the way in which we work. — Jaco van Tonder, iGubu Leadership Agency | Organization! — Gert van Rensburg, Corporate & Retail Construction | To be able to create a better project plan and make it easier for all the different departments and stakeholders about my expectations.— Meg Holtzhausen, J. Walter Thompson | A more fresh mind on how to approach any project regarding details.— Norman Sauermann, Corporate & Retail Construction | Om my deurmekaar gedagtes te kan orden op 'n logiese, haalbare manier. — Carina van Niekerk, Project Man | Planning structures for decision making. — Wayne Wolmarans, Corporate & Retail Construction | More focus and process on all the work that I will carry out. — Tammy Joseph, Quirk eMarketing | Where to start. — John Murray, New Horizons | Thought process on work projects. — Participant
Help us
Anything else we should know that could be helpful?
Perhaps a follow-up, to weekend 2. — Merrick Holtak | Better understanding on projects in the advertising industry. — Meg Holtzhausen, J. Walter Thompson | Give more detailed scenario for group exercise (rather than letting a student decide what to explain) — John Murray, New Horizons (It had been planned to implement this even prior to receiving this suggestion.) | That both Tania and Marius are fabulous! — Participant
Most participants left this question blank. Some requested that the Workshop be conducted for their teams in-house. |