Project Management in Times of Crisis, Urgency, and Uncertainty
Based on Project Management Standards and Own Experience of the Trainer

Project Management in Conditions of War

This 3-day training program equips participants with essential project management skills for navigating crisis and emergency contexts. Designed to address the challenges of managing projects in unstable and high-pressure environments, the program combines international project management standards with practical, interactive exercises.

Participants will gain hands-on experience in key areas such as risk management, contingency planning, stakeholder engagement, and emergency management tools. The training emphasizes the application of best practices and international standards, ensuring that attendees are well-prepared to deliver successful projects in even the most challenging conditions.

  • Instructor: Anatolii Savin, PMP, PfMP, M.S.P.M (volunteer, a reservist officer of the Ukrainian Army)
  • Training Duration: 3 days (24 hours).
  • Number of Participants: 9-15 people
  • Language: Ukrainian or English.

Target Audience

This training is tailored for:

  • Project managers working in emergency settings.
  • Government and NGO professionals involved in crisis response.
  • Humanitarian workers and managers.
  • Specialists in monitoring, evaluation, and program design.
  • Professionals transitioning to work in crisis contexts.

Knowledge and Skills Acquired

Upon completion of the pm.Crisis training, participants will:

  • Knowledge:
    • Expertise in designing and implementing projects under challenging conditions.
    • Understanding of project management life cycles suitable for crisis situations.
    • Techniques for effective monitoring and evaluation of projects in crisis contexts.
    • Familiarity with international standards and best practices in project management.
    • Awareness of ethical considerations in emergency response.
  • Skills:
    • Risk and stakeholder management in high-pressure contexts.
    • Crisis-specific project design and implementation.
    • Adaptive monitoring and evaluation methods.
    • Conflict-sensitive communication and stakeholder engagement.
    • Scenario-based decision-making in urgent situations.

Main Topics to be Covered

Day 1: Introduction and Foundations (8 Hours)

  • Foundations of Crisis Project Management
    • Overview of project management principles.
    • Understanding crisis contexts and challenges.
    • Differences between traditional and crisis project management.
    • Key challenges in unstable contexts.
  • Project Design in Crisis Contexts
    • Needs assessments in emergency settings.
    • Logical frameworks and theory of change.
    • SMART goals under uncertainty.
    • Identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks in crisis situations.
    • Emergency Management Tools and Techniques.
  • Group Exercise: Designing a crisis response project.

Day 2: Implementation and Monitoring (8 Hours)

  • Implementation in Crisis Conditions
    • Resource mobilization and constraints.
    • Agile and adaptive project management techniques.
    • Engaging and managing stakeholders effectively in crisis contexts.
    • Ensuring clear and effective communication.
    • Crisis-specific procurement and logistics management.
    • Developing and implementing contingency plans to address unforeseen challenges.
  • Interactive Workshop: Risk identification, assessment, and mitigation.
  • Monitoring, Evaluation, and Adaptation
    • Adaptive monitoring frameworks.
    • Real-time data collection and analysis.
    • Outcome-based evaluation during crises.
  • Practical Exercise: Developing a Monitoring Plan

Day 3: Advanced Topics and Practical Application (8 Hours)

  • International Standards and Ethical Considerations
    • PMBOK, ISO21502, and Agile Frameworks.
    • Do-no-harm principles and safeguarding.
    • Risk management and compliance.
  • Leadership and Team Dynamics in Crisis
    • Leadership in emergencies. Leading teams under stress and uncertainty.
    • Conflict resolution and ethical decision-making.
    • Cross-cultural sensitivity in diverse teams.
  • Exit Strategies and Recovery
    • Transition from emergency to recovery.
    • Building sustainability into project closure.
    • Handover to local authorities and communities.
  • Closing Session: Feedback, lessons learned, and post-training support.

Training Delivery and Methods

  • Online Delivery Tools: Use of platforms like Zoom, MS Teams, or Google Meet for interactive sessions.
  • Interactive Elements: Polls, breakout groups, live Q&A sessions.
  • Materials: Training manual, case studies, templates, and tools for crisis project management.
  • Follow-Up Support: Post-training supervision and mentorship for three months to ensure practical application.

Practical Training Exercises

Participants will engage in a series of hands-on exercises that foster real-world skills, including:

  1. Case Study Simulations: Analyze and resolve real-life scenarios, such as project implementation in conflict zones or responding to a refugee crisis.
  2. Role-Playing: Role-playing exercises to practice stakeholder engagement and communication in crisis situations.
  3. Decision-Making Drills: Participants respond to rapid changes in crisis scenarios, emphasizing adaptive planning and quick decision-making.
  4. Monitoring and Evaluation Design: Participants create a monitoring framework for a given project.
  5. Risk Assessment Exercise: Group activity to identify and mitigate risks in emergency project settings.
  6. Scenario-Based Exercises: Participants will engage in simulated crisis scenarios to apply their learning in a practical context.
  7. Interactive Workshops: Hands-on workshops to develop and refine project management skills in emergency settings.

Booking the Training

To book the training and for additional consultation, visit PMDoc.ua/Contacts. For training customization and detailed information about the content, please contact instructor Anatolii Savin: