Project Management Foundations for Finance
1h 9mIntermediate2026-08-21
Authors
Bob McGannon
PMP and PRINCE2 Certified Consultant, Author, and Speaker
Course details
In today’s project landscape, success isn't just about staying "under budget"—it's about delivering measurable business value. This course, designed for the July 2026 PMP exam update and the latest PMBoK standards, moves beyond traditional cost management into the broader realm of Project Finance.
Instructor Bob McGannon guides you through the shift from being a "cost tracker" to a "value optimizer." You will explore the entire financial lifecycle of a project, from defining tangible and intangible value to tailoring budgets for uncertainty and reporting on financial performance. Through practical, high-contrast frameworks and real-world challenge scenarios, you’ll learn how to make the financial tradeoffs that prioritize business outcomes and long-term ROI.
Learning objectives
Define project financial management as a tool for value delivery rather than just expense control, transitioning yourself from cost-focused to value-focused.
Build, interpret, and adjust project budgets that account for constraints and organizational strategy, improving your financial planning skills.
Apply decision frameworks and use ROI and cost-benefit thinking to make informed tradeoffs during project execution.
Measure comprehensive success by evaluating project performance using both traditional (earned value) and modern (value-based) metrics.
Communicate strategic impact by reporting financial health in a way that resonates with stakeholders and business leads.
Instructor Bob McGannon guides you through the shift from being a "cost tracker" to a "value optimizer." You will explore the entire financial lifecycle of a project, from defining tangible and intangible value to tailoring budgets for uncertainty and reporting on financial performance. Through practical, high-contrast frameworks and real-world challenge scenarios, you’ll learn how to make the financial tradeoffs that prioritize business outcomes and long-term ROI.
Learning objectives
Define project financial management as a tool for value delivery rather than just expense control, transitioning yourself from cost-focused to value-focused.
Build, interpret, and adjust project budgets that account for constraints and organizational strategy, improving your financial planning skills.
Apply decision frameworks and use ROI and cost-benefit thinking to make informed tradeoffs during project execution.
Measure comprehensive success by evaluating project performance using both traditional (earned value) and modern (value-based) metrics.
Communicate strategic impact by reporting financial health in a way that resonates with stakeholders and business leads.
Concepts
Introduction
- Project finance - Managing value creation
- Defining value
- Financial management responsibilities
The Financial Planning Process
- The financial management plan
- Project budget confidence
- Data elements in the budget
- Budget accuracy and precision
- Baselines and reserves for your budget
Estimating and Managing Costs
- Developing a budget
- Balancing competing budget constraints
- Organizational considerations for your budget
Measurement Techniques
- The right metrics for finance management
- Baseline budget performance
- The earned value approach
- Tailoring the budget
Budget Reporting
- Verifying budget results
- Adjusting cost forecasting
- Assessing project success
Handling Budget Challenges - Exercises
- Challenge - Making concessions
- Solution - Making concessions
- Challenge - Proposing project value
- Solution - Proposing project value
- Challenge - Troubleshooting performance
- Solution - Troubleshooting performance
Conclusion
- Your financial management toolkit