Introduction:

Effective project scheduling and control are crucial to the success of any project. This 5-day training course is designed to provide participants with the essential knowledge and skills needed to develop, manage, and control project schedules. Participants will learn various project scheduling techniques, such as critical path method (CPM), Gantt charts, and resource leveling. The course will also cover project control strategies to track progress, manage changes, and mitigate risks. Practical applications, case studies, and hands-on exercises will help participants understand how to apply these concepts to real-world project management scenarios.

Objectives:

By the end of this course, participants will:

1. Understand the fundamentals of project scheduling and control.
2. Learn how to create detailed project schedules using various techniques and tools.
3. Gain knowledge of critical path method (CPM), Gantt charts, and other scheduling methods.
4. Understand how to manage resources, including handling resource leveling and allocation.
5. Learn how to monitor and control project progress using earned value management (EVM) and other control techniques.
6. Be able to effectively handle changes in project schedules and implement corrective actions.
7. Develop skills in identifying and mitigating risks that can affect the project schedule.

Who Should Attend:

This course is ideal for professionals involved in project management, scheduling, and control, including:

• Project Managers and Project Coordinators
• Construction Managers
• Project Planners and Schedulers
• Resource Managers and Engineers
• Risk Managers
• Anyone involved in project delivery and control

Course Outline:

Day 1: Introduction to Project Scheduling and Control

• Session 1: Overview of Project Scheduling and Control
  • The Importance of Scheduling and Control in Project Management
  • Key Concepts: Scope, Time, Cost, and Quality
  • Introduction to Project Management Methodologies (PMBOK, PRINCE2)
• Session 2: Project Phases and Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
  • Defining Project Phases and Deliverables
  • Developing a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
  • How WBS Supports Scheduling and Control
• Session 3: Project Scheduling Fundamentals
  • Scheduling Concepts: Activities, Milestones, Dependencies
  • Time Estimation Techniques: Expert Judgment, Analogous Estimating, Parametric Estimating
  • Using Software Tools for Scheduling (Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, etc.)
• Activity: Group Exercise – Creating a WBS for a Sample Project

Day 2: Scheduling Techniques and Tools

• Session 1: Gantt Charts and Task Dependencies
  • Introduction to Gantt Charts: Visualizing Project Timelines
  • Understanding Task Dependencies: Finish-to-Start, Start-to-Start, Finish-to-Finish, and Start-to-Finish
  • Creating and Interpreting Gantt Charts
• Session 2: Critical Path Method (CPM)
  • Definition and Purpose of the Critical Path
  • Calculating the Critical Path and Duration of a Project
  • Float and Slack Time: Importance and Use in Project Control
• Session 3: Resource Scheduling and Leveling
  • Resource Allocation and Constraints
  • Resource Scheduling Techniques: Resource Histogram, Resource-Constrained Scheduling
  • Resource Leveling: Techniques for Optimizing Resource Use and Reducing Conflicts
• Activity: Hands-on Exercise – Creating a Gantt Chart and Calculating Critical Path for a Sample Project

Day 3: Project Control Techniques

• Session 1: Monitoring and Controlling Project Schedules
  • Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Schedule Control
  • Techniques for Tracking Progress: Percent Complete, Milestone Monitoring
  • Dealing with Delays and Schedule Deviations
• Session 2: Earned Value Management (EVM)
  • Introduction to EVM: Integrating Cost, Time, and Scope
  • Key EVM Metrics: Planned Value (PV), Earned Value (EV), Actual Cost (AC)
  • Interpreting EVM Data: Schedule Variance (SV), Cost Variance (CV), Performance Index (SPI, CPI)
• Session 3: Change Management and Schedule Adjustments
  • Handling Changes in the Schedule: Change Control Process
  • Impact of Changes on Scope, Cost, and Time
  • Methods for Adjusting Project Schedules: Fast-Tracking, Crashing
• Activity: Group Exercise – Using EVM to Monitor Progress and Adjust the Project Schedule

Day 4: Risk Management and Mitigation Strategies

• Session 1: Introduction to Risk Management
  • Identifying and Assessing Risks: Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis
  • Risk Register: Documenting Risks and Mitigation Strategies
  • Techniques for Risk Avoidance, Mitigation, and Transfer
• Session 2: Risk Impact on Project Scheduling
  • How Risks Affect Project Timelines and Resource Allocation
  • Quantifying the Impact of Risks on Schedule: Monte Carlo Simulation, Sensitivity Analysis
  • Incorporating Risk Buffers into Schedules
• Session 3: Advanced Project Control Techniques
  • Techniques for Schedule Forecasting: Critical Chain Method, Rolling Wave Planning
  • Use of Buffer Management and Project Buffering for Schedule Control
  • Schedule Compression Techniques: Crashing vs. Fast-Tracking
• Activity: Hands-on Exercise – Identifying Risks and Developing Mitigation Plans for a Project Schedule

Day 5: Best Practices in Project Scheduling and Control

• Session 1: Advanced Scheduling Techniques
  • Using Project Management Software for Schedule Optimization
  • Scheduling for Multi-Project Environments: Portfolio Management
  • Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) and Collaborative Scheduling
• Session 2: Effective Communication and Reporting
  • Communicating Schedule Changes and Progress to Stakeholders
  • Developing Effective Schedule Reports and Dashboards
  • Reporting Tools for Project Managers and Teams
• Session 3: Continuous Improvement and Lessons Learned
  • Reviewing Project Schedules for Future Improvements
  • Post-Project Schedule Analysis and Lessons Learned
  • Implementing Best Practices in Future Projects
• Activity: Final Project – Developing a Complete Project Schedule with Risk Analysis, Control Plans, and Reporting

Course Delivery:

• Interactive Lectures: Detailed discussions on scheduling techniques, tools, and best practices.
• Hands-on Exercises: Practical exercises using project management software to create schedules, calculate critical paths, and apply EVM techniques.
• Case Studies: Real-world examples of successful and troubled projects to understand the application of scheduling and control principles.
• Group Activities: Collaborative work in teams to solve scheduling and control challenges.
• Software Demonstrations: Guidance on using Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, or other industry-standard tools for scheduling and monitoring projects.