Mastering Project Scheduling: A PMI-SP Certification Training Course (Online / Remote)
1Summary
A project plan that looks solid on paper often falls apart the moment resources get double-booked, a dependency gets missed, or a delay ripples through the critical path. The professionals who keep complex, multi-stakeholder projects on track are the ones who master scheduling as a discipline in its own right, not just a byproduct of planning.
This training course builds that discipline from the ground up, aligned with Project Management Institute (PMI) standards, covering everything from building a Work Breakdown Structure and estimating durations to critical path analysis, schedule software, and performance reporting, so that participants can build accurate, defensible schedules and pursue the PMI-SP credential with confidence.
2Objectives and target group
Course Objectives
By the end of this training course, participants will be able to:
- Design accurate schedules that meet project requirements and constraints.
- Build and use a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) as the foundation for scheduling.
- Apply advanced tools and methodologies, including critical path analysis and Earned Value Management, to analyse schedule performance.
- Use specialised scheduling software such as Primavera and MS Project effectively.
- Manage schedule variances, changes, and compression while keeping stakeholders aligned.
- Prepare confidently and competently for the PMI-SP examination.
Target Audience
- Project managers working in construction, engineering, and IT sectors.
- Scheduling engineers and analysts seeking to build their professional expertise.
- Programme and portfolio management professionals specialising in project scheduling.
- Anyone pursuing PMI-SP certification as an internationally recognised professional qualification.
3Course Content
Module 1: Scheduling Foundations and the PMI-SP Credential
- The concept of scheduling and its role in project success.
- The difference between planning and time scheduling.
- Schedule development stages within the project lifecycle.
- The role of the scheduling professional within project management.
- The scope and importance of PMI-SP certification.
- The knowledge areas covered by the certification.
Module 2: Professional Skills and Ethical Standards for Schedulers
- Core responsibilities of a scheduling professional.
- Coordination with cross-functional project teams.
- Providing scheduling support for decision-making.
- Professional conduct principles for schedulers.
- Adherence to PMI standards.
- Maintaining integrity and transparency.
Module 3: Building the Schedule — WBS and Schedule Components
- Identifying activities and sequencing them logically.
- Milestones and organisational constraints.
- Task dependencies and their impact.
- Building the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) as a core scheduling tool.
- Converting WBS deliverables into measurable activities.
- Organising task and activity relationships.
Module 4: Sequencing Activities and Allocating Resources
- The four types of schedule relationships.
- Analysing time dependencies and their impact.
- Managing inter-task links to minimise conflicts.
- Classifying project resources.
- Assigning resources to different activities.
- Resolving resource overlaps and levelling.
Module 5: Estimating Duration and Analysing the Critical Path
- Traditional and expert-based activity estimation.
- Three-point estimation using PERT.
- Using historical data for estimation.
- Identifying the critical path and schedule risk.
- Calculating float and reserve time.
- Assessing the impact of delays on overall project duration.
Module 6: Measuring and Reporting Schedule Performance
- Measuring progress using Earned Value Management (EVM).
- Analysing deviations from the plan.
- Key performance indicators for decision-making.
- Designing effective schedule performance reports.
- Using charts to illustrate progress.
- Presenting analyses to management and stakeholders.
Module 7: Scheduling Software and Compression Techniques
- Comparing leading scheduling tools.
- Using Primavera and MS Project effectively.
- Creating schedules with advanced software.
- Techniques to accelerate the schedule and reduce duration.
- Applying Crashing and Fast Tracking.
- Managing the impacts of schedule compression.
Module 8: Finalising and Integrating the Schedule
- Characteristics of practical and realistic schedules.
- Reviewing schedules with stakeholders.
- Approving schedules as an official execution reference.
- Links between scheduling, cost, and quality management.
- Connecting scheduling with risk management.
- Adapting the schedule to changes and corrective actions.
Module 9: Planning for Schedule Control
- Components of a schedule management plan.
- Defining scheduling standards and procedures.
- Formal approval of the schedule plan.
- Regular tracking of schedule progress.
- Recording actual data and comparing it with planned values.
- Updating the schedule to ensure accurate execution.
Module 10: Managing Variances and Change Requests
- Early identification of schedule deviations.
- Analysing causes and implementing corrective actions.
- Resetting schedules to return to baseline.
- Receiving and documenting change requests.
- Analysing the time impact of changes.
- Revising the baseline schedule and obtaining approval.
Module 11: Learning from Experience — Post-Project Review and Continuous Improvement
- Reviewing project schedule performance.
- Extracting lessons learned in scheduling.
- Comparing results to the original plan.
- Enhancing processes based on experience.
- Preparing reference models for future schedules.
- Applying continuous improvement in upcoming projects.
Module 12: Preparing for the PMI-SP Exam
- Distribution of knowledge areas in the exam.
- Study and review strategies.
- Reviewing official study resources.