Project Scheduling & Cost Planning Skills Training Course

Introduction:

The Project Scheduling & 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.

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 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:

• 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.