Business Acumen for Project Leaders

The purpose of this three-day program is to provide project and program managers with an improved understanding of the context in which companies operate during the time when large procurement projects progress through the various stages including definition of requirements, options analysis, solicitation and implementation. The program attempts to take Government of Canada employees out of their day-to-day context and transpose them into the roles of business executives who grapple with decisions related to projects to improve their chances of a successful outcome. The program includes instructor-led presentations, invited speakers from industry as well as exercises and simulations that are designed to allow participants to develop the business acumen needed to form effective relationships with industry and to achieve successful project outcomes.

What You Will Learn

The program will provide participants with an understanding of business acumen as it applies to defence companies that supply equipment and services to the Canadian Department of National Defence. Participants will gain:

• a thorough understanding of the macro and micro environment in which defence companies operate
• a thorough understanding of what drives profitability
• an awareness of various financial ratios and metrics that are common in annual reports and financial analyses
• a market focused approach to the business of defence procurement
• an understanding of business practices and behaviours in trade agreements such as ITAR and industrial and technological benefits (ITB) requirements

Program Takeaways

The program will provide participants with:

• an overall big-picture understanding of the organization of defence companies and their inter-relationships, enabling better business decision-making