Course Overview
This course provides comprehensive knowledge and practical skills in the critical areas of project planning, scheduling, and control. Participants will learn how to develop realistic project plans, create detailed schedules using industry-standard techniques, monitor progress, and implement control measures to keep projects on track in terms of time, cost, and scope.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Develop comprehensive project plans aligning with project objectives and stakeholder expectations
- Create detailed, realistic project schedules using various scheduling methodologies
- Utilize tools and software (e.g., MS Project, Primavera) for scheduling and resource allocation
- Apply techniques for effective project monitoring and progress reporting
- Identify schedule variances and implement corrective actions to control project timelines
- Integrate cost and resource control methods with scheduling to optimize project delivery
- Communicate planning and scheduling information effectively to stakeholders
Who Should Attend
- Project Managers and Planning Engineers
- Project Controls Professionals and Schedulers
- Program Managers and Project Coordinators
- Construction Managers and Site Supervisors
- Project Team Members involved in planning and execution
Course Outline
Introduction to Project Planning
- Importance of project planning for success
- Components of a project plan: scope, schedule, cost, resources, quality, risk
- Defining project objectives, deliverables, and milestones
- Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) development and its significance
Project Scheduling Fundamentals
- Overview of scheduling concepts and terminology
- Types of schedules: Gantt charts, network diagrams, milestone charts
- Critical Path Method (CPM) and its application
- Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) basics
- Float, lead and lag concepts in scheduling
Resource Planning and Allocation
- Identifying and estimating resource requirements
- Resource leveling and smoothing techniques
- Managing resource constraints and conflicts
- Incorporating labor, equipment, and material resources into schedules
Scheduling Tools and Software
- Introduction to popular project scheduling software (MS Project, Primavera P6)
- Creating and updating schedules using software tools
- Tracking progress and updating baselines
- Generating reports and dashboards for stakeholders
Project Monitoring and Control
- Techniques for schedule monitoring: status reporting, progress measurement
- Earned Value Management (EVM) basics for schedule and cost control
- Identifying schedule variances and root cause analysis
- Implementing corrective actions and change control processes
- Risk management integration with planning and scheduling
Communication and Documentation
- Effective communication of schedule and progress information
- Stakeholder reporting and documentation standards
- Maintaining audit trails and project records
Practical Workshops and Case Studies
- Developing WBS and project schedules from sample projects
- Hands-on exercises with scheduling software
- Analyzing schedule variances and developing recovery plans
- Case studies on successful and challenged projects