Project Management @ Amazon

mario.vanhouck…

Welcome

This website is for participants attending the in-house Amazon training on data-driven project management (scheduling, risk, and control).

Below, you will find videos covering the lecture topics. Some videos are quite general, as I use them in training sessions worldwide (including Belgium, the UK, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, China, and Brazil). As a result, certain parts may not be directly relevant to this specific course. However, most videos focus on a single topic per video and align closely with the material covered in the training.

Not all videos are available yet, as they will be uploaded after each lecture. Please check back regularly to see new content appear.

To prepare, it is recommended that you first watch the “Intercom announcement” video before the course begins. You are also advised to watch the “Look who’s talking” video (to hear the captain speaking) and the “Dynamic scheduling” video to become familiar with some basic concepts before you start this journey.

We look forward to starting this data-driven project management journey with you.

Dear project managers,

This is your lecturer speaking. On behalf of the crew of the Operations Research & Scheduling team, let me welcome you aboard Flight OR&SPM to “Project Management” with continuing service to “A Fantastic career” and “Lifelong learning”. We should touch down in “Project Management” within less than a week, 9:00 local time. According to your booking ticket, you will stay there for two fantastic days.

Please have your course slides and data-driven management brains ready. Regular boarding will begin in approximately ten minutes time before departure. We ask that you please fasten your seatbelts at this time and secure all possible ways of distraction underneath your seat or in the overhead compartments. We also ask that your slides are ready and your computer is in the upright position with MS Excel installed for take-off.

Everyone should have a look at the safety instructions that are posted below this message. Not only does it have a summary of the course schedule, but it also has important information about the course organisation, how to operate with the course website, and explains the two-days content for this course module.

Please turn off all personal devices, including cell phones, Facebook and Instagram accounts. Not attending the lectures is prohibited for the duration of the flight. The use of AI is also strictly prohibited on this journey. This includes chatGPT, CoPilot, Gemini, and all other AI devices. All lectures are equipped with AI use detectors. Thank you for choosing PM of the OR&S team.

Enjoy your learning experience!

Thank you.
Mario Vanhoucke

DOWNLOADS

The download links will become available as the course module progresses (refresh if you can't see them).

  • Before you start: Download the course slides, and read how to be prepared for your flight.(right-click mouse and save as).
  • Day 1 (pm). The PSG game requires a licence, so you just have to bring your own computer (with installation permissions) and the licenses will be given to you at the start of the lecture (download game data)
  • Evening break: Be prepared for tomorrow! Download and read about tomorrow's assignment.
  • Day 2 (am). We will solve the COVID-19 PERT Case Study (download the excel sheet).
  • Day 2 (pm). We will solve the 5-minutes exam. Make sure you have a strong coffee at your disposal :-).
  • Extra: More details about the training can be found at PM Knowledge Center, my bookstore and the statistical downloads page.
  • Example: An example MS Excel file for Earned Value Management calculations can be found here.
  • Get access to our free project database.

VIDEOS

The videos will become available as the course module progresses (refresh if you can't see them). The introduction videos are available now for preparation.

Introduction

  1. Intercom announcement
  2. Look who’s talking
  3. Dynamic scheduling

Topic 1. PLAN

(Topics discussed: Lucy's App project; Network Analysis; Critical Path Method (CPM))

  1. Introduction to project planning
  2. Project network analysis
  3. The Critical Path Method

(Topics discussed: Lucy's App project; Programme Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT); probability and service levels)

  1. Programme Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) I
  2. Programme Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) II
  3. Programme Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) III
  4. Programme Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) IV

Topic 2. GAME

(Topics discussed: The Project Scheduling Game (PSG); Time/cost trade-offs; Risk, perception and irrationality)

  1. Introduction to the project scheduling game (PSG)
  2. The Project Scheduling Game I
  3. The Project Scheduling Game II
  4. Complexity and uncertainty in the PSG
  5. Perception and risk in the PSG
  6. Irrationality and risk in the PSG

Topic 3. RISK

(Topics discussed: Linda's car project; Schedule Risk Analysis (SRA); Probability and impact; Bottom-up control)

  1. Introduction to schedule risk analysis
  2. A city trip to Lisbon
  3. Schedule Risk Analysis explained
  4. Sensitivity metrics I
  5. Sensitivity metrics II
  6. Bottom-up project control

Topic 4. CONTROL

(Topics discussed: Bob's and Bobette's projects; Earned Value Management (EVM); Earned schedule; Top-down control)

  1. Introduction to project control
  2. The three key metrics of EVM
  3. Measuring project performance
  4. Earned Schedule
  5. The quirky behaviour of the SPI
  6. Project Forecasting
  7. Earned Value Management
  8. Top-down project control

Afterword. Wrap up

(Topics discussed: Control efficiency; Books, music and goodbyes)

  1. Dynamic Scheduling: A summary
  2. Control efficiency
  3. Bookstore
  4. Saying goodbye (and meet my best friend! He's only 5 seconds on screen!)

INTERESTING LINKS

EAGER TO LEARN MORE?

You'll see in my bookstore that I have written several books on data-driven project management. The one that comes closest to the topics of this training is the technical business novel entitled "The data-driven project manager". Click on the picture to order (eBook or Soft Cover).

 

Visit our bookstore at www.or-as.be/books

 

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