The certificate course aims at helping managers to not only gain initial competency in the basics of project management, but also equip them with strategies and tools to carry out projects more efficiently and professionally. It provides a foundation for the development of expertise in a range of core areas, including planning, scheduling and implementing projects in time, designing project business frameworks and associated strategies, team-based learning and functioning, cost engineering and management, continuous process improvements and assessment, and use of information technology in project management.

The programme is to be launched by the SP Jain Institute of Management and Research. Incidentally, the institute is the first in the country to launch a Centre for Project Management. The centre has two distinct areas of focus, one primarily being technology driven projects in the information, communication and entertainment industry and the second being the traditional, indispensable projects of brick and mortar organisations. In addition to the Master's certificate in Project Management, the centre will also provide customised inhouse training for organisations, public seminars and research and consultancy.

The first programme will be held at the SP Jain Institute and the participants will undergo five days' training in a month. All middle and senior-level execs responsible for project management and development, also individuals of any discipline who work on projects in either the public or the private sector are eligible for the programme.

Professor Ajay Parasrampuria, a core member of the faculty, outlined the course structure. "The entire programme is divided into eight modules," he said. The first module, comprising four days and titled `Principles and Framework for Project Management', will prepare managers to earn the PM1 certification. The second module, `Project Planning, Scheduling and Controlling', covers some of the modern methods in planning, estimating, scheduling and controlling projects. Its duration is of three days.

The third module, `Project Risk Management', will draw together an overall picture of the modern skills, methods and tools needed for project risk management. It will last for two days. The fourth module is the `Managing Project Organisations and Working in Teams'. The objective of this four-day module is to help develop awareness of an individual's strengths and weaknesses and how these influence interpersonal and team dynamics.

The fifth module, `Project Management and Information Technology-Managing Projects' using Microsoft Project and the Web is of four days' duration and is a hands-on module on Microsoft Project, which will also cover the fundamentals of information needs, requirements and management of the same, understanding virtual and distributed team work and collaborative effort. The sixth module of three days is `Mastering and Improving Project Management'. The objective of this module is to enable transfer of knowledge of project managers, from one project to another.

The seventh module is `Project Procurement and Contract Management' and is of three days' duration. It aims to equip project managers with skill and tools for planning, solicitation, contract negotiation, drafting and administration. The eighth module is `Project Financing Techniques'. The objective is to provide insights into the technical as well as conceptual aspects relating to financing a project. It has a duration of three days.

Professor C N Narvekar, head of the manufacturing and operations department at the centre, said the modules are not progressive or graded. Therefore, each module is independent and a candidate has the choice to opt for any number of modules separately.

"It is not mandatory to take the examination at the end of each module. A certificate of participation will be given to the candidates for each module," explained Narvekar.