ICT Strategy, Governance and Project Management

INTERNATIONAL TRAINING ON ICT STRATEGY, GOVERNANCE AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT

COURSE BACKGROUND

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are no longer just support functions but strategic assets that drive innovation, efficiency, and competitive advantage across all sectors. However, simply investing in technology is not enough. Organizations must develop clear ICT strategies that align with overarching business objectives, establish robust governance frameworks to ensure responsible and effective technology use, and master project management methodologies to successfully deliver complex ICT initiatives. Without these three pillars, ICT investments risk becoming misaligned, inefficient, or even counterproductive. This requires a new breed of leaders and managers who can bridge the gap between business vision and technological execution.

ECAS Institute offers this “ICT Strategy, Governance, and Project Management” course to equip professionals with the essential knowledge and practical skills to lead and manage ICT effectively within their organizations. This program will provide a comprehensive framework for developing strategic ICT roadmaps, implementing sound governance principles, and ensuring the successful delivery of technology projects that generate tangible business value.

COURSE OBJECTIVES OF THE TRAINING

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Develop and articulate an ICT strategy that is fully aligned with the organization’s strategic goals and objectives.
2. Understand and apply key ICT governance frameworks and principles (e.g., COBIT, ITIL) to ensure effective decision-making, risk management, and compliance.
3. Master various ICT project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Waterfall) for planning, executing, and monitoring technology initiatives.
4. Identify and mitigate risks associated with ICT investments and projects.
5. Manage stakeholder expectations and communication effectively throughout the ICT lifecycle.
6. Evaluate and optimize ICT investments to demonstrate business value and return on investment (ROI).
7. Lead and manage organizational change driven by ICT implementations.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

This course will provide you with a holistic understanding of how to strategically manage Information and Communication Technologies to drive organizational success. You will learn to:

• Formulate a compelling ICT vision and strategy that translates business needs into actionable technology plans and roadmaps.
• Implement robust IT governance structures to ensure accountability, transparency, and effective oversight of technology resources and projects.
• Apply leading project management techniques to define scope, manage timelines, control budgets, and deliver high-quality ICT solutions on time and within specifications.
• Identify critical success factors and common pitfalls in ICT project implementation, enabling proactive risk mitigation.
• Engage and communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, from executive leadership to technical teams and end-users, to secure buy-in and manage expectations.
• Measure the performance and impact of ICT initiatives, demonstrating their value to the organization.
• Navigate the complexities of technological change and foster an adaptive organizational culture.
• Understand the interplay between ICT strategy, governance, and project execution to build resilient and future-proof digital capabilities.

DURATION AND PROGRAM

This is a structured training course designed to provide a comprehensive and practical understanding of ICT strategy, governance, and project management. The program will combine theoretical concepts with real-world case studies, interactive discussions, group exercises, and practical templates to facilitate immediate application of learned skills. Participants will engage in strategic thinking and problem-solving relevant to their organizational contexts. The detailed program schedule, including specific session timings and learning activities, will be communicated upon registration.

TARGET PARTICIPANTS

This course is essential for professionals who are responsible for, or contribute to, the strategic direction, oversight, and delivery of Information and Communication Technologies within their organizations. It is particularly beneficial for:

• IT Managers and Directors
• Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and Chief Technology Officers (CTOs)
• Project Managers and Program Managers leading ICT initiatives
• Business Analysts involved in technology requirements and solutions
• ICT Consultants and Enterprise Architects
• Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Professionals
• Senior Business Leaders seeking to better leverage technology
• Department Heads with significant reliance on ICT
• Students in IT management, business administration, and project management.

TRAINING MODULES

The course is structured to provide a logical flow from strategic planning to effective execution and oversight of ICT initiatives:

No	Module	Details
1.	Foundations of ICT Strategy	This module establishes the critical link between an organization’s overall business strategy and its Information and Communication Technology strategy, highlighting the importance of alignment for sustained success. Topics: Defining ICT Strategy: Vision, mission, goals, and objectives Aligning ICT with Business Strategy: From reactive support to strategic enabler Components of an ICT Strategic Plan: Current state assessment, future state design, roadmap Competitive advantage through ICT innovation Key trends shaping ICT strategy (e.g., cloud, AI, data analytics, cybersecurity)
2.	ICT Governance Frameworks and Principles	This module delves into the critical role of governance in ensuring that ICT investments deliver value, manage risks, and comply with regulations, exploring leading frameworks and best practices. Topics: What is ICT Governance? Scope, purpose, and importance Relationship between Corporate Governance and IT Governance Introduction to key governance frameworks: COBIT (Control Objectives for Information and Related Technologies), ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) Roles, responsibilities, and decision-making structures in ICT governance Risk management and compliance in the context of ICT
3.	Strategic ICT Investment and Portfolio Management	This module focuses on how organizations can make informed decisions about ICT investments, manage their portfolio of ICT initiatives, and ensure optimal resource allocation. Topics: IT investment strategies and prioritization criteria Cost-benefit analysis and Return on Investment (ROI) for ICT projects ICT portfolio management: Balancing innovation, maintenance, and growth Budgeting and financial planning for ICT initiatives Optimizing IT operations for efficiency and effectiveness
4.	Fundamentals of ICT Project Management	This module introduces core project management principles and methodologies specifically tailored for the unique challenges and characteristics of Information and Communication Technology projects. Topics: Project lifecycle phases: Initiation, planning, execution, monitoring & control, closure Key project management methodologies: Waterfall, Agile (Scrum, Kanban), Hybrid approaches Defining project scope, objectives, and deliverables in ICT projects Managing the triple constraints: Scope, Time, and Cost Quality management in ICT projects
5.	Advanced ICT Project Management Practices	Building on the fundamentals, this module explores advanced techniques and considerations for successful planning, execution, and oversight of complex ICT projects. Topics: ICT project planning and scheduling techniques Resource management and capacity planning for ICT teams Risk assessment and mitigation strategies for technology projects Procurement and vendor management in ICT projects Performance measurement and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for ICT projects
6.	Leading Change and Stakeholder Management in ICT	This module focuses on the crucial human element in ICT projects, emphasizing effective communication, stakeholder engagement, and managing organizational change associated with technology adoption. Topics: Understanding organizational change in ICT implementations Developing a change management plan for technology initiatives Identifying and engaging key stakeholders in ICT projects Effective communication strategies for diverse audiences Overcoming resistance to technology adoption and fostering user acceptance
7.	ICT Service Management and Continuous Improvement	This module integrates the concepts of strategy, governance, and project management into the ongoing delivery and improvement of ICT services, ensuring long-term value and operational excellence. Key Topics: Introduction to IT Service Management (ITSM) and its principles Service delivery models and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) Problem and incident management in ICT operations Monitoring ICT performance and identifying areas for continuous improvement Auditing ICT governance and project outcomes for effectiveness

TRAINING STYLE

The modules will be taught through PowerPoint presentations, and lectures and will include a case study/field visit, breakout sessions, case studies and other interactive discussion components.

The course will also include a few guest speakers, both in person and via Zoom and other online learning platforms for overseas speakers. This provides useful real-world insights alongside the more theoretical aspects of the course.

The conference faculty shall consist of experienced decision makers, as well as practitioners and representatives from established educational and research institutions active around climate change, engineering and international development. Throughout the course, theoretical presentation of concepts will be moderated and more group discussions and plenary engagements will be optimized. PowerPoint presentations will be made by facilitators and resource persons, to highlight key concepts before embarking on group work.

GENERAL NOTES

• Training manuals and additional reference materials are provided to the participants.
• Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be issued with a certificate.
• We can also do this as a tailor-made course to meet organization-wide needs. Contact us to find out more: info@ecasiafrica.org.
• Payment should be sent to our bank account before the start of training and proof of payment sent to: info@ecasiafrica.org.

ABOUT ECAS INSTITUTE

The ECAS Institute designs and delivers independent and targeted training, research, and consulting services. Our work focusses on climate change and resilience building, carbon markets, renewable energy, nature-based solution, biodiversity conservation, agriculture and food systems, We are located in Nairobi Kenya and work across the African region. We have implemented training and research assignments in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Somalia, Malawi, Rwanda, Congo, and South Africa. Globally, we have supported our partners from the UK, Denmark, Italy, Sweden, Germany, and USA.