The project manager does not need to become a legal expert!
Rather, effective project management is about having an awareness of critical areas of the project. In addition, they must be able to know who else may have the relevant expertise and when they need to become involved to provide the necessary support.
Understanding some of these factors will provide an appreciation of how they are likely to impact the project.
Working conditions
Employees’ working conditions are set out in the basic foundation of employment law. This law regulates the relationship between employers and employees.
It governs what employers can expect from employees, what employers can ask employees to do, and employees’ rights at work.
Areas covered by employment law include all types of discrimination, disability provisions, dismissal of employees and grievance procedures, working hours, leave entitlement, employment contracts and pay.
The project manager must first determine the applicable legislative requirements and ensure that the necessary training and communication is conducted in order for all project personnel to understand their duties of compliance.
Acting in a compliant manner may influence decisions on how work is allocated, who is allocated, and how the performance of that work is then managed, ensuring that targets and objectives are judged to be realistic and fair.
Ultimately the project manager must create the right working conditions for the project in accordance with legislation.
Management of risk in the workplace
There is a key duty of the project manager which also extends to all project personnel – to understand the risks in their area of work and take the necessary steps to highlight these plus take proactive measures to manage these risks to an appropriate degree.
Individuals must utilize sufficient knowledge to understand their main duties to be compliant with the law.
All employers must protect the health, safety, and welfare at work of all their employees, as well as others on their premises, including temporary and casual workers, self-employed, clients, visitors, and the general public.
All workers also have a duty of care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions at work. All workers must cooperate with employers and co-workers to help everyone meet their legal requirements.
The focal point for health and safety in the project will be the health, safety, and environmental management plan.
It will outline the safety requirements and the duties required for compliance, such as procedures for risk assessments, training, availability of suitable protective clothing, and environmental impact.
The project will have to ensure that all aspects of workplace risk are budgeted for in addition to the overall budget for completing the work.
Governance
The sponsor is the person accountable for ensuring that the work is governed effectively and delivers the objectives to meet identified needs.
The project manager must be sufficiently aware of the practices underpinning project-based working to be able to provide a high degree of assurance to the sponsor that the work is being managed effectively, responsibly, and sustainably.
This will allow the sponsor to make informed decisions about whether the business case is likely to be realized and to take the most appropriate resulting actions.
Governance will impact how the project is managed, the processes the project will use, and how project status will be assured and reported when the project is being delivered.
The project manager must understand the governance framework required and how the resulting management approach must be tailored to provide confidence to stakeholders that the project is being managed in a compliant manner.
Sustainability
Sustainability is concerned with balancing the environmental, social, economic, and administrative aspects of project-based work to meet the current needs of stakeholders without compromising or overburdening future generations.
Sustainability involves both individual and organizational responsibility to ensure that outputs, outcomes, and benefits are sustainable over their life cycles and during their creation, disposal, and decommissioning.
Sustainability is relevant across all areas of project-based working. For example, the procurement team seeking opportunities to buy from sustainable sources and to make the supply chain more efficient.
Even minor players in a project-based team can have an influence, however small, on sustainability and may therefore be expected to think creatively and act responsibly in their day-to-day work.
This may be something as simple as reducing unnecessary travel or the use of paper.
Sponsors and stakeholders, especially those with seniority, can put in place mechanisms to identify, monitor, and reward working practices that support sustainability.
They can also influence wider stakeholders and challenge aspects of sustainability.
Project managers must seek and follow the environmental guidelines of the commissioning organization.
Once they understand the requirements, they should monitor and report team adherence and ensure that their risk strategy incorporates impacts on sustainability.
APM 2021 – Project Management Qualification Masterclass
APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ)
Designed to meet and exceed the APM PMQ 2021 Syllabus
The APMG APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ) is an internationally recognised knowledge based qualification (IPMA Level D) that enables you to satisfy the needs of modern-day projects by fully participating in project endeavours ranging from individual assignments to large capital projects. It is the benchmark qualification for anyone embarking on a project management career, or looking to add project management to their portfolio of skills.
About this course
Projex Academy’s APM Project Management Qualification self-study video training contains all the training and materials you need to attain your APMG APM PMQ Qualification – without attending a classroom!
This certificate is the first qualification in the APM’s development path, and there are NO Prerequisites to prepare or sit the exam
Get a firm understanding of the core skills needed to be a successful project manager. Our fully-accredited e-learning allows you to learn at a pace that suits you, at home or on the go.
What is included?
The APM PMQ MASTERCLASS is designed for project managers, project team members, and all professionals who want to improve their career scope using best practice in project management within any industry.
Our Masterclass online learning for APM PMQ combines approximately 15 hours of online learning, with simple to understand HD video lessons, presentation and study material for students to download and enjoy at their own pace and time. Extremely cost effective, extremely knowledge effective and guaranteed to boost your career.
