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Project Management & Business Communications

Contact Joe…
Project Management made easy - the ECCSR approach, by Joe Houghton

Joe offers training courses on different aspects of project management and business communications and can tailor sessions to your specific needs or create longer courses.

He is the author of Project Management made easy - the ECCSR approach.

He has delivered project management training to all departments of the Civil Service in Ireland through the OneLearning programme for almost 10 years, as well as for many corporate, SME and non-profit clients.

In the academic setting, Joe co-created and has, for the past 20 years, directed the Masters in Project Management programmes at University College Dublin's Smurfit Graduate Business School.

Joe is also a Senior Trainer with TriGraph Intelligent Learning, where he delivers training courses on AI, project management, business analysis, and business communications.

Contact Joe today to discuss your needs and let's get some dates in the diary.

Online courses available

My courses can be delivered as stand-alone bookings or as a series, and all courses can be tailored to your specific requirements so we add value to your staff and particular needs. I'm also happy to create new sessions if you would like to explore something that isn't on my existing session list.

Many of these sessions are grounded in a webpage produced in Notion, giving all participants access to the tools we use and explore during the session. Sessions are highly interactive - I demonstrate a tool or technique, then we break out so participants can explore it themselves, then reconvene to discuss and learn from the group experience.

  • Project Management

    A range of PM courses, from a 1-day high-level introduction to basic PM tools and concepts, to longer 2 or 3 day courses. As the creator of the MSc in Project Management at UCD Smurfit, Joe brings both the academic grounding and two decades of delivery.

  • Business Process Mapping (1 day)

    Introduces business process analysis and mapping using Visio or LucidChart. We look at how to break down a business process and then represent it clearly.

  • Report Writing

    Half or full day. We look at creating reports using my ASCRIBE model, breaking down the whole process from identifying the audience through to a finished document.

  • Minute taking (half-day)

    Covers all the essentials of effective note and minute taking. We also look at how modern tech and AI tools can assist in the process.

  • Chairing a meeting (half-day)

    Prepares new or inexperienced chairpersons to act effectively when chairing meetings. Practical tips on setting a meeting up properly and running an agenda.

Joe is a highly experienced online educator who has delivered hundreds of sessions online to audiences in corporates, universities, non-profits and SMEs.

Client list

  • Maynooth University
  • Trigraph
  • Irish Defence Forces Command School
  • ATI
  • Digital Learning Institute

Testimonials

  • Testimonial from Gerry Fitzsimons, Higher Executive Officer, Department of Education. Quote: Joe delivered a fantastic introduction to project management over three days on-line. The materials and resources provided were brilliant and Joe combines an encyclopaedic knowledge of his subject with an amazing approachable style. I highly recommended Joe to anyone
    Gerry FitzsimonsHigher Executive Officer, Department of Education6 April 2020
  • Testimonial from Meadhbh O'Halloran, Research Officer, University College Dublin. Quote: Joe currently delivers a workshop on Project Management as part of our Transferable Skills programme for PhD students. The course is a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental principles of Project Management, and also offers students the opportunity to engage with PM software. Joe is an excellent, engaging speaker and draws on a wealth of experience to provide students with concrete examples of best practice.
    Meadhbh O'HalloranResearch Officer, University College Dublin6 December 2017
  • Testimonial from Kathleen O'Reilly, Assistant Professor & Academic Director, UCD MSc Management Consultancy; Board member, IMCA Ireland. Quote: Year after year, I have received excellent feedback from my students who have paticipated in Joe Houghton's courses. He is an inspirational course leader, who manages to blend the academic with the practical in a highly energised and engaging way. He approaches projects with those same levels of energy, enthusiasm and expertise. Joe also has an impressive track record in dealing with groups of senior executives and business leaders from diverse backgrounds.
    Kathleen O'ReillyAssistant Professor & Academic Director, UCD MSc Management Consultancy; Board member, IMCA Ireland6 August 2008
  • Testimonial from Aoife Kiernan, Client Relationship Manager, Risk Management Practice, Marsh McLennan. Quote: While studying in UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business College I had the pleasure of partaking in the Project Management Module taught by Joe as well as having Joe as an Academic Lead for my dissertation. Throughout the module Joe brought the classroom to life with real life case studies from his experiences in industry and across the span of his entrepreneurial ventures. Joe's depth of knowledge across multiple global industries and organizations as well as current affairs facilitated varied discussions and a fantastic learning environment for all of the students. Aside from Joe’s very apparent professional capabilities, he also acknowledges the importance of building a network and always makes time for a great conversation. It was a pleasure to work with Joe and I hope to have the opportunity again.
    Aoife KiernanClient Relationship Manager, Risk Management Practice, Marsh McLennan13 April 2018
  • Testimonial from UCD Smurfit student, module feedback. Quote: Joe is easily the best lecturer in terms of engagement that I have come across in my years of university. I picked up several tips in engaging and presenting from his own actions during classes. "Students describe a good teacher as accessible, enthusiastic, passionate and humorous" (Domizio, 2008). Joe had these traits in abundance.
    UCD Smurfit student, module feedback
  • Testimonial from Course participant. Quote: Joe was absolutely fantastic. He delivered the course in an engaging and clear manner and made the skills learned applicable to everyday work. His fun and friendly demeanour also made it easy to ask questions and to discuss the course content as we went along. I thoroughly enjoyed this course and would have no hesitation in recommending this course to other people in my organisation.
    Course participant
  • Testimonial from OneLearning, Civil Service. Quote: I felt very confident that the trainer Joe who was so professional and most enlightening that all would go well, which it did. It was a most successful course, whilst challenging was also very enjoyable and it rolled out without any hitches. Well done to all concerned
    OneLearning, Civil Service
  • Testimonial from TriGraph course participants. Quote: Professionally packaged and delivered course. I'm delighted to have taken the course. Joe was a very engaging and knowledgeable teacher. I thought it was excellent and full of tips and information that could be easily and practically applied to the projects I'm working on.
    TriGraph course participants
  • Testimonial from OneLearning and TriGraph course participants. Quote: Joe is a very knowledgeable and affable guy who presented the information really well. This course was excellent. Thank you Joe for a great few days, I learned a lot and really appreciated all your guidance! Cybi I have nothing but good thing to say about the trainer Joe Houghton. He was personable, engaging, very knowledgeable and my favorite trainer to date. I have no suggestions for improvement, the content, pace and delivery of this course was excellent. Excellent course and facilitator. Very good examples and topics and engagement.
    OneLearning and TriGraph course participants

Business process mapping with Visio - course reviews

  • Testimonial from Coursecheck reviews - Business process mapping with Visio. Quote: Five stars, Louise K, 24 August 2022: Joe was an excellent trainer and very helpful in navigating visio with me. Five stars, claire b, 12 August 2022: perfectly delivered. very knowledgeable on the subject and very helpful and pleasant manner to deal with. Five stars, Robert S, 11 August 2022: Great course, trainer was knowledgeable and provided good examples. Five stars: The course was excellent and informative even if you have different levels of knowledge in process mapping and Visio.
    Coursecheck reviews - Business process mapping with VisioAugust 2022

Rates

Basic

My basic day rate is €1,200 per day, or €600 for a half-day. Reduced rates can be discussed for charities and non-profits.

Courses that are already prepared can be delivered with just the delivery time built into the price, so there is no preparation time to add.

Tailored

All my courses can be tailored to suit the specific needs of your audience.

If this approach is adopted, we will normally have an initial free half-hour discussion to outline the needs from the training or consultancy engagement, and to map out a discovery process to include learning about your needs, preparing the materials and then delivering the training or consultancy.

I will prepare a formal proposal document, and we will agree a cost for preparation and delivery broken down into day or half-day amounts. Payment is after delivery, within 30 days.

My company

My company is Zuben Ltd, and I am registered for VAT (IE9842954N) and hold full public liability cover and tax clearance.

I invoice through Fenero who provide accounting services to contractors and businesses.