Summary
Effective Planning and Scheduling
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 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 you should consider and address when creating any type of schedule.
Introduction
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• 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
Outline
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Session 1: Course Overview
- Learning Objectives
- Pre-Assignment
- Pre-Course Assessment
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Session 2: Projects and Schedules
- Making Connections
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Session 3: The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
- What is a Work Breakdown Structure?
- Sample WBS
- The Role of a Work Breakdown Structure
- Creating a Work Breakdown Structure
- Steps for Creating the Work Breakdown Structure
- Types of Work Breakdown Structure Diagrams
- Work Breakdown Structure Formats
- Indented List
- Spreadsheet
- Organizational Chart
- Work Breakdown Structure Numbering
- Sample Numbering
- What is a Work Breakdown Structure Dictionary?
- Work Breakdown Structure Exercise
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Session 4: Estimating Activity Durations
- Estimating Tips and Techniques
- Sample Spreadsheet
- Gathering Resources
- Activity List
- Resources
- Estimating Activity Durations
- Tips for Increasing Estimation Accuracy
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Session 5: Camping Case Study
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Session 6: Identifying Task Dependencies
- About Task Dependencies
- Washing a Car
- Key Questions
- Dependency Definitions
- Task Dependency Types
- FS: Finish-to-Start
- SF: Start-to-Finish
- FF: Finish to Finish
- Case Study: Trip to New York
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Session 7: Aligning Resources with Activities
- Definitions
- Resource Breakdown Structure
- Sample Resource Breakdown Structure
- Creating the Resource Breakdown Structure
- Availability and Skills
- Resource Calendars
- Stages of Resource Scheduling
- Definition
- Allocation
- Aggregation
- Leveling
- Considering the Constraints
- Resource Turnover
- Case Study: Planning an Outdoor Concert
- Task Two
- Task Three
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Session 8: Project Planning
- Network Diagrams
- About Activity on Node Diagrams
- Sample Activity on Node Diagram
- About Activity on Arrow Diagrams
- Sample Activity on Arrow Diagram
- Critical Path Method
- Sample Project
- Creating a Network Diagram
- Starting Network Diagram
- Perform Forward Pass through Network
- Perform Backward Pass through Network
- Determine Slack
- Establish the Critical Path
- Critical Path Exercise
- Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)
- The PERT Formula
- Creating Time Estimates
- Making Connections
- The Value of PERT
- About Gantt Charts
- Sample Gantt Chart
- Gantt Chart Exercise
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Session 9: Scheduling Software
- Choosing the Right Tools
- How Do You Know What Software is Best For You?
- Open Workbench
- Microsoft Project
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Session 10: Uncertainty and Risk Management
- About Risk Management
- Sample Risk Register
- Risk Management Planning
- Identification of Risk
- Quantification of Risk
- Responding to Risk
- Monitoring and Controlling Risk
- Mini Case Study
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Session 11: Communication Strategies
- About Communication
- Purpose
- Information Required
- Frequency
- Method
- Tips for Successful Communication
- Team Members
- Project Stakeholders
- Project Team
- Other Special Target Groups/End Users
- Cross-Functional Teams
- Communication Exercise
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Session 12: Creating a Viable Schedule
- Creating a Schedule
- Common Scheduling Problems
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Session 13: Updating and Monitoring the Schedule
- Schedule Updates
- Frequency of Updates
- Receiving Updates
- Format for Updates
- Better Predicting
- Schedule Monitoring
- Case Study
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Session 14: A Personal Action Plan
- Starting Point
- Where I Want to Go
- How I Will Get There
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Summary
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Recommended Reading List
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Post-Course Assessment
Course Schedule
*Indicates a course that spans over multiple days.**Indicates a course that is only a half day.