Offered By: Administrative Controls Management
Professional Development Hours: 14
Course Number: AEP3001-PMPS2D

This course provides project managers and others with the key skills and techniques for successful project management to complete projects above your client's expectations.

Course Outline

Topic 1: Project Management - A discussion of project management provides a background for management requirements and functions as they relate to the project's phases and stages. An insight into the differences and similarities between large and small projects is presented. Project management organizations are discussed as well as which type is most applicable to a multi-project environment. Why management of small and multiple projects is a necessity is also addressed.

Topic 2: Planning - Principles of planning provides an understanding to the question, "Why Plan?" It addresses the consequences of poor planning and the benefits of proper planning. The method and approach to the function of the planning process are described including work breakdown structures and work packages. This session also discusses the development of an activity list, understanding the relationships between predecessor and successor activities, and assigning duration to the activities. Contract schedule requirements are reviewed, and why only CPM schedules are acceptable for assessing time impact is discussed.

Topic 3: Organization - The requirement for organization including the project manager's role in a multiple project environment is discussed. Interfacing considerations within the project manager's company and with parties contractually bound to the project are discussed and reviewed. Techniques and methods are presented which facilitate time allocation to priority issues. The development of work breakdown structures and work packages is presented. Communicating the plan to the project organization and establishing reporting requirements are included in this session.

Topic 4: Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM) - PDM or activity on node method is explained. Early and late start and finish dates as well as the difference between calendar and workdays are discussed. Calculations for the forward pass and backward pass are explained and an exercise is provided. Concepts of total float, free float, critical path, and near critical paths are also presented.

Topic 5: Overlapping Network Logic - Network overlapping is presented to familiarize participants with other logical relationships in addition to simple finish to start relationships such as start to start, finish to finish, and finish to start.

Topic 6: Work Breakdown Structure - Defining and using work breakdown structures is necessary for segregating work by responsibility and accommodating resource assignments.

Topic 7: Implementation - Implementation of the project plan to the guidelines established by the organization requirements is discussed. The importance of generating and maintaining project documentation for managing the project is explained. Change awareness, the formal requirements for changes, and authority related to changes are presented.

Topic 8: Status and Progress - The requirement of timely and accurate information regarding quality, time, and cost variances for management to take remedial action is discussed. The differences between and methods for reporting status and progress of work plans are presented.

Topic 9: Updates and Revisions - Updating and revising schedules are necessary steps to determine the impact of activity status, progress, and changes on the completion of the project. Changes to the work and work sequencing resulting in changes to activity relationships and impact on contract completion are discussed.

Topic 10: Resource Allocation and Leveling - Resource availability is crucial to successful timely project completion. Resource assignment and leveling provides a basis for arriving at target schedules which take into account resource limitations.

Topic 11: Cost/Time Requirements - There may be conditions which necessitate accelerating or stretching project schedules/contract times. Studies are usually performed to determine cost benefit trade-offs of "crashing" work schedules to meet or beat contract times.

Topic 12: Performance Measurement - Performance measurement provides accurate project assessments and forecasts of project time and cost variances. Earned values are compared against the baseline values and against actual values to determine variances.

Topic 13: Computer Reports - Sample computer generated schedules and reports are presented for review and analysis. Emphasis is placed on using the documents to ensure the developed plan is workable, realistic, and as intended prior to its implementation.

Topic 14: Multiple Projects - Planning & Scheduling - The complexities of project priority assignments, limited resources to performed work concurrently on multiple projects, and having the responsibility to complete all projects by a fixed deadline is a situation often encountered by project managers. This situation is presented and solutions are discussed. Management reports for displaying progress on multiple projects are also discussed.

Topic Areas and Industries

• Aerospace
• Automotive
• Business & Program Planning
• Claims & Dispute Resolution
• Construction
• Consumer Products/Services
• Contract Management
• Cost Engineering
• Cost/Schedule Control
• Defense
• Engineering
• Facilities Management
• Government & Public Works
• Information Technology
• International Projects
• Manufacturing
• Manufacturing - High Tech
• Oil/Gas/Chemicals
• Pharmaceuticals
• Planning & Scheduling
• Program & Project Management
• Project Control
• Project & Cost Control
• Quality Assurance/Management
• Transportation
• Utilities & Energy
• Value Engineering & Constructability