Effective Planning and Scheduling

Trainers working with project managers and team leaders know how challenging it can be to accurately determine the duration of a project, yet that is exactly what is expected on a regular basis!

This course 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 people need to consider and address when creating any type of schedule.

Course Topics:

Session One: Course Overview

Session Two: Projects and Schedules

Session Three: The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

• What is a Work Breakdown Structure?
• The Role of a Work Breakdown Structure
• Creating a Work Breakdown Structure
• Work Breakdown Structure Formats
• Work Breakdown Structure Numbering
• Work Breakdown Structure Dictionary
• Work Breakdown Structure Exercise

Session Four: Estimating Activity Durations

Session Five: Camping Case Study

Session Six: Identifying Task Dependencies

• About Task Dependencies
• Task Dependency Types
• Case Study: Trip to New York
• Task Relationships Exercise

Session Seven: Aligning Resources with Activities

• Definitions
• Stages of Resource Scheduling
• Case Study: Planning an Outdoor Concert

Session Eight: Project Planning

• Network Diagrams
• Critical Path Method
• Critical Path Exercise
• Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)
• About Gantt Charts
• Gantt Chart Exercise

Session Nine: Scheduling Software

Session Ten: Uncertainty and Risk Management

• About Risk Management
• Risk Management Planning
• Pre-Assignment Review

Session Eleven: Communication Strategies

• About Communication
• Team Members
• Communication Exercise

Session Twelve: Creating a Viable Schedule

• Creating a Schedule
• Common Scheduling Problems

Session Thirteen: Updating and Monitoring the Schedule

• Schedule Updates
• Case Study
• Recommended Reading List
• Personal Action Plan