Overview
Effective project management skills are becoming increasingly important. Organisations need good project managers, at all levels, to successfully deliver the change projects that will enable the business to adapt, grow and achieve its strategic objectives. This course provides an essential overview of the core principles behind the discipline of scheduling best practice required to deliver small-to-medium sized projects and an introduction to key documentation.
This course is suitable for managers, potential project managers, work-stream leaders or team members who wish to gain an insight into scheduling best practice.
This 1 day scheduling best practice certified course uses a mixture of presentation, discussion and hands-on exercises, addressing topics in a highly engaging, concise and pragmatic manner way. Let’s start the collaborative scheduling journey…
Prerequisites
While there are no formal prerequisites for this course, it is assumed that attendees will have a working knowledge of basic scheduling practices. This may be as a result of attending other project management related courses where scheduling is part of the course syllabus.
Pre-Course Reading
Delegates are not provided with any formal pre-reading before this course as such. It is recommended that candidates review the course workbook provided with the joining instructions or via the Mimeo link.
Delegates will learn how to
- Enhance understanding of requirements gathering and scope definition
- Understand techniques for defining and presenting the scope
- Enhance understanding of various estimating techniques, along with the advantages and disadvantages of these
- Enhance understanding of network development
- Conduct critical path analysis, interpreting the results
- Understand the characteristics of a robust schedule
- Understand the implications of applying constraints to the schedule
- Understand the use of different reporting formats
Outline
This highly interactive workshop uses a short case-study to enable delegates to gain confidence in the use of proven techniques in the areas listed below. The course provides a solid foundation for further development of scheduling skills through self-reading, more advanced training and practical hands-on experience.
Planning
Learners are introduced to the basic concept of planning and scheduling with a brief discussion on the purpose and application of the PMP
Requirements Management
As in integral lead into defining the project scope, a review of this process provides the setting for effective scheduling.
Scope Management
The captured requirements form the basis of defining the scope for the project. Delegates will recap on the use of various breakdown structures resulting in the RAM and scope baseline.
Project Estimating
Various estimating techniques are investigated, along with discussion on typical estimating problems and how to enhance more effective estimating on the project.
Schedule Management
This module is the core of the content with a detailed investigation of network diagramming, logical relationships and critical path analysis. A solid understanding of the interpretation of the output from critical path analysis, taking into account the impact of constraints, calendars and methods of schedule optimisation.
Project Communications
This module considers appropriate reporting formats – Gantt Charts, Milestone charts, Drop-line Method, Line of balance charts – along with various approaches to progress reporting.
Project Closeout
This final module considers the requirements for controlled closeout from a scheduling perspective.
Certified Scheduling Best Practice exam
Each learner will have the opportunity to prepare for and then take the QA Scheduling Best Practice exam digitally.
Frequently asked questions
How can I create an account on myQA.com?
There are a number of ways to create an account. If you are a self-funder, simply select the "Create account" option on the login page.
If you have been booked onto a course by your company, you will receive a confirmation email. From this email, select "Sign into myQA" and you will be taken to the "Create account" page. Complete all of the details and select "Create account".
If you have the booking number you can also go here and select the "I have a booking number" option. Enter the booking reference and your surname. If the details match, you will be taken to the "Create account" page from where you can enter your details and confirm your account.
Find more answers to frequently asked questions in our FAQs: Bookings & Cancellations page.
How do QA’s virtual classroom courses work?
Our virtual classroom courses allow you to access award-winning classroom training, without leaving your home or office. Our learning professionals are specially trained on how to interact with remote attendees and our remote labs ensure all participants can take part in hands-on exercises wherever they are.
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How do QA’s online courses work?
QA online courses, also commonly known as distance learning courses or elearning courses, take the form of interactive software designed for individual learning, but you will also have access to full support from our subject-matter experts for the duration of your course. When you book a QA online learning course you will receive immediate access to it through our e-learning platform and you can start to learn straight away, from any compatible device. Access to the online learning platform is valid for one year from the booking date.
All courses are built around case studies and presented in an engaging format, which includes storytelling elements, video, audio and humour. Every case study is supported by sample documents and a collection of Knowledge Nuggets that provide more in-depth detail on the wider processes.
When will I receive my joining instructions?
Joining instructions for QA courses are sent two weeks prior to the course start date, or immediately if the booking is confirmed within this timeframe. For course bookings made via QA but delivered by a third-party supplier, joining instructions are sent to attendees prior to the training course, but timescales vary depending on each supplier’s terms. Read more FAQs.
When will I receive my certificate?
Certificates of Achievement are issued at the end the course, either as a hard copy or via email. Read more here.