PROJECT MANAGER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (PMDP)
About The Program
The Project Manager Development Program (PMDP) gives new and aspiring project managers in commercial construction the foundation they need to lead projects with confidence. Technical knowledge matters, but what separates successful projects is a project manager’s ability to plan, communicate, and work effectively with owners, architects, subcontractors, and their own teams.
Across five units, participants build a working command of core project management concepts and terminology, then put them into practice through hands-on activities grounded in real construction scenarios. Just as valuable is the room itself. You’ll learn alongside peers from across Arizona’s construction industry, sharing challenges, comparing approaches, and building relationships that last well beyond the program.
Whether you’re stepping into your first project management role or preparing your team’s next generation of leaders, PMDP delivers practical skills that make an immediate impact on the jobsite and in the office.
What You Will Learn
Unit 1 | Introduction to Project Management
Great project managers are made, not born, and it starts with understanding what the role truly demands. In this unit, you’ll explore the real responsibilities of a construction project manager, from managing personnel issues and company policies to maintaining the work/life balance that keeps you effective for the long haul. You’ll learn the essential soft and technical skills every successful project manager must master, with practical examples of how each one is applied on an actual project.
You’ll also gain a high-level overview of construction law, including key terms and the legal responsibilities that come with leading a project. Just as important, you’ll see why safety is a core part of every project manager’s job and how your leadership sets the tone on the jobsite. You’ll leave this unit with a clear picture of what it takes to lead projects with confidence and credibility.
Unit 2 | Initiating and Planning, Part 1
Every successful project is won or lost before the first shovel hits the ground. In this unit, you’ll learn how strong project managers set their projects up for success from day one. You’ll identify the stakeholders who shape a construction project from initiation through closeout, define clear project objectives, and build a Project Charter that gets everyone aligned.
Next, you’ll explore how to choose the right project delivery method and why a well-defined scope protects your project, your team, and your margins throughout the entire lifecycle. From there, you’ll move into planning, breaking down the key elements of a Project Management Plan and developing a construction schedule you can actually manage to. You’ll leave this unit with the tools to turn a new project into a clear, actionable roadmap.
Unit 3 | Initiating and Planning, Part 2
A schedule tells you when the work gets done, but a strong plan tells you how it gets paid for, who does it, and what could go wrong along the way. Building on Unit 2, this unit takes a deep dive into project cost, walking you through estimates, bids, and the development of a final budget you can stand behind. You’ll learn how to identify the resources your project needs and assemble the right team to deliver it.
From there, you’ll develop the supporting plans that keep a project on track, including quality, communication, procurement, and stakeholder management. You’ll also learn how to identify and manage risk before it becomes a costly problem in the field. You’ll leave this unit with a complete planning toolkit to protect your budget, your schedule, and your client relationships.
Unit 4 | Executing
Once the plan is in place, it’s time to put it into action, and that starts with understanding the contracts that drive every construction project. In this unit, you’ll learn the steps to creating a contract, how to review contract documents with a critical eye, and the key differences between contractors and subcontractors. You’ll also learn how billing works throughout a project so you can keep cash flowing and your client relationships strong.
Not every contract ends as expected, so you’ll explore the reasons a contract may be terminated and the proper steps to follow when it happens. From there, you’ll focus on effective project execution, turning your plans into coordinated, productive work in the field. You’ll leave this unit ready to lead your project through its most active phase with clarity and control.
Unit 5 | Monitoring and Controlling and Project Closeout
No project goes exactly as planned, and how you respond to change is what separates good project managers from great ones. In this final unit, you’ll learn how monitoring and controlling work hand in hand with execution, giving you the ability to track progress, spot issues early, and adjust course throughout the project. You’ll master change order management, including how to document changes, evaluate their impact on schedule and budget, maintain quality assurance, and resolve disputes before they escalate.
As the project nears completion, you’ll learn how to bring it to a strong and professional finish. You’ll walk through the full closeout process, covering both administrative and contract closure along with the communication and documentation owners expect. You’ll leave the program with the skills to deliver projects that end with satisfied clients and set the stage for the next opportunity.
PMDP
DETAILS
Location
Arizona Builders Alliance Training Center
1475 N Scottsdale Rd, Suite 120, Scottsdale, AZ 85257
Dates
- January 7, 2027
- February 4, 2027
- March 4, 2027
- April 1, 2027
- May 6, 2027
Time
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Cost
Members : $2,200
Non-Members: $4,400