Effective Planning and Scheduling

COURSE SUMMARY

As project managers and leads, we all know how difficult it can be to accurately determine the duration of a project, yet that is exactly what is expected of us on a regular basis. This workshop will not disclose the secret of creating an accurate schedule, because there isn’t one. However, it will provide the factors and fundamental elements that you should consider and address when creating any type of schedule.

Participants should complete the Intermediate Project Management workshop prior to this course, or have equivalent knowledge.

WHAT STUDENTS LEARN

• Define and create a Work Breakdown Structure
• Identify and understand task relationships
• Estimate task durations and determine project duration
• Construct a network diagram
• Calculate the critical path of a project
• Use the Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) to create estimates
• Plan for risks
• Create a communication plan
• Effectively allocate project resources
• Update and monitor the project schedule

WHAT TOPICS ARE COVERED

• Projects and schedules
• The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
• Estimating activity durations
• Identifying task dependencies
• Aligning resources with activities
• Project Planning with network diagrams, the Critical Path Method, PERT, and Gantt charts
• Scheduling software
• Uncertainty and risk management
• Communication strategies
• Creating a viable schedule
• Updating and monitoring the schedule

COURSE OUTLINE

This two-day workshop will help you teach participants how to:

• Define and create a Work Breakdown Structure
• Identify and understand task relationships
• Estimate task durations and determine project duration
• Construct a network diagram
• Calculate the critical path of a project
• Use the Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) to create estimates
• Plan for risks
• Create a communication plan
• Effectively allocate project resources
• Update and monitor the project schedule

You will spend the first part of the day getting to know participants and discussing what will take place during the workshop. Students will also have an opportunity to identify their personal learning objectives.

Projects and Schedules

To begin, participants will review what a project is and why schedules are so important.

The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

This session will teach participants what a Work Breakdown Structure is, what its role is, what formats and numbering can be used, and the process to create one. Participants will then create their own WBS for taking a camping trip.

Estimating Activity Durations

Next, participants will receive tips on how to estimate the length of each task and the project.

Camping Case Study

In this session, participants will perform task estimations for their camping trip project.

Identifying Task Dependencies

In this session, participants will learn key definitions and the four types of dependencies. Participants will also complete two exercises to give them some hands-on practice.

Aligning Resources with Activities

Next, participants will learn about resources, Resource Breakdown Structures, resource scheduling, and resource leveling. Participants will then complete a case study.

Project Planning

To begin the second day, participants will learn how to create network diagrams, use the Critical Path Method and the Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT), and create Gantt charts. Participants will go through the full Critical Path Method to create a network diagram with earliest and latest start and finish times and slack.

Scheduling Software

In this session, participants will discuss the benefits and disadvantages of using project management software.

Uncertainty and Risk Management

Whether we choose to address it or not, there is some form of risk in every project we undertake. This session will give participants some ways to manage risk.

Communication Strategies

This session will explore the four key elements of any communication and give participants a framework for communicating with various project team members. Participants will also complete a communication plan.

Creating a Viable Schedule

Each of the previous topics will come together in this section to create a workable schedule. Participants will also brainstorm solutions for common scheduling problems.

Updating and Monitoring the Schedule

To wrap up the course, participants will receive some tips on schedule management.

Workshop Wrap-Up

At the end of the course, students will have an opportunity to ask questions and fill out an action plan.