Project Scheduling & Cost Planning Skills Training Course

Introduction:

The Project Scheduling and Cost Planning Skills Training Course is designed to equip professionals with the tools and techniques to effectively plan, schedule, and control project costs. This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles of project scheduling, emphasizing the importance of time management and resource allocation in achieving project goals.

Participants will gain a deep understanding of cost planning methodologies, enabling them to create accurate budgets and forecasts and ensure projects are completed on time and within budget. Through practical exercises and real-world scenarios, this course prepares participants to navigate the complexities of project management and ensure successful project delivery.

Understanding project scheduling is essential for any project scheduler. This course module will explore a variety of project scheduling tools and techniques. We will delve into the definition of project scheduling, its advantages and benefits for successful project outcomes, and identify best scheduling practices that can be applied to real-world project management scenarios.

The Project Scheduling and Cost Planning Skills course will define and examine the cost planning process. Participants will be trained in cost-planning techniques and methods and learn to utilize various tools effectively. This focus on project cost planning aims to ensure economic viability and forecasting accuracy, optimizing fiscal resources and outcomes.

Targeted Groups:

• Project Managers.
• Cost Engineers.
• Project Planners.
• Financial Analysts.
• Construction Managers.
• Engineers involved in project planning.
• Procurement Specialists.
• Project Coordinators.
• Budget Managers.
• Professionals in Project Management Offices (PMOs).

Course Objectives:

At the end of this Project Scheduling and Cost Planning Skills course, the participants will be able to:

• Develop effective project scheduling strategies.
• Learn to create and manage project budgets.
• Apply cost estimation techniques accurately.
• Implement resource allocation and optimization methods.
• Master risk management in project planning.
• Utilize the Critical Path Method to identify project timelines.
• Apply Earned Value Management to track project performance.
• Forecast and control project costs effectively.
• Enhance skills in project monitoring and reporting.
• Improve communication with stakeholders regarding project status.

Targeted Competencies:

Participants competencies in this Project Scheduling and Cost Planning Skills training will:

• Project Scheduling Techniques.
• Cost Estimation and Budgeting.
• Resource Allocation.
• Risk Management.
• Time Management.
• Critical Path Method (CPM).
• Earned Value Management (EVM).
• Forecasting and Cost Control.
• Project Monitoring and Reporting.
• Stakeholder Communication.

Course Content:

Unit 1: Introduction to Project Scheduling and Cost Planning:

• Define project scheduling and cost planning.
• Understand the role of scheduling and cost planning in project management.
• Explore key terms and concepts in project scheduling.
• Discuss the importance of accurate cost planning.
• Review common challenges and pitfalls in scheduling and cost planning.
• Examine real-world examples of successful scheduling and cost planning.

Unit 2: Project Scheduling Techniques:

• Learn about different project scheduling methodologies.
• Study the Critical Path Method (CPM) and its applications.
• Understand Gantt charts and their uses.
• Explore Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT).
• Analyze schedule network diagrams.
• Practice creating and interpreting project schedules.
• Discuss methods for adjusting schedules as projects evolve.

Unit 3: Cost Estimation and Budgeting:

• Learn cost estimation techniques and principles.
• Understand different types of cost estimates (e.g., rough order of magnitude, definitive).
• Explore methods for developing project budgets.
• Study cost estimation tools and software.
• Practice creating cost estimates for various project components.
• Discuss cost control measures and budget adjustments.
• Review case studies of budget management.

Unit 4: Resource Allocation and Optimization:

• Understand the importance of resource planning.
• Learn techniques for effective resource allocation.
• Study methods for optimizing resource use.
• Explore tools for resource leveling and smoothing.
• Discuss the impact of resource constraints on project schedules.
• Practice creating resource allocation plans.
• Analyze case studies on resource management.

Unit 5: Monitoring, Controlling, and Reporting:

• Learn methods for monitoring project progress.
• Understand techniques for controlling project costs and schedules.
• Study Earned Value Management (EVM) for performance tracking.
• Explore tools for project performance reporting.
• Practice creating progress reports and dashboards.
• Discuss strategies for addressing project deviations.
• Review best practices for stakeholder communication and reporting.