Certified Project Planner Course

Why Select this Training Course?

The Certified Project Planner Course is strategically crafted to advance your skills in the comprehensive planning of projects. Delving deep into the nuances of project planning and scheduling, this course equips you with robust techniques and sophisticated tools to predict, prepare and respond adeptly to the complexities of various project demands.

How will this course refine my current project planning skills?

The course is structured to sharpen your existing planning skills with contemporary practices, ensuring you can craft detailed project blueprints that account for uncertainties and align with business objectives.

Does the programme include latest software and technology?

Yes, participants will gain hands-on experience with the leading project planning software and technologies, encompassing a range of applications from task scheduling to resource optimisation.

Who Should Attend?

• Project Planners and Schedulers
• Project Managers and Coordinators
• Engineers and Construction Managers
• IT Project Planners
• Business Analysts involved in project planning

What are the Course Objectives?

Participants will:

• Master project planning and scheduling techniques
• Learn to utilise cutting-edge planning software
• Understand resource allocation and optimisation
• Develop risk analysis and contingency planning skills
• Be able to create and maintain a project plan throughout its life cycle

How will this course be presented?

• Expert-led workshops
• Practical exercises using project planning tools
• Group projects and presentations
• Access to online learning modules and forums
• Continuous assessment with structured feedback

What are the Topics Covered in this Course?

Module 1: Project Planning Excellence

• Strategic importance of project planning
• Defining project scope and objectives
• Breakdown structures (WBS, OBS, RBS)
• Sequencing activities and defining dependencies
• Time estimation techniques and methodologies
• Scheduling and developing Gantt charts
• Resource planning and allocation methods
• Budgeting: estimation and cost control
• Quality planning strategies
• Communication planning essentials

Module 2: Advanced Scheduling Techniques

• Critical path method (CPM) and its applications
• Utilising PERT analysis for uncertain activity times
• The concept of float and its impact on projects
• Schedule compression techniques (crashing and fast-tracking)
• Applying Monte Carlo simulations for schedule risks
• Resource levelling and smoothing techniques
• Schedule optimisation strategies
• The role of baselines in project scheduling
• Navigation of scheduling tools and software

Module 3: Mastering Project Planning Tools

• Overview of project planning software options
• In-depth usage of Microsoft Project
• Leveraging Oracle Primavera for intricate projects
• Integration of project management tools with ERP systems
• Data import and export between different systems
• Automation in scheduling and reporting functions
• Customising dashboards and analytics for effective tracking
• Cloud-based collaboration in project planning
• The use of AI for predictive planning
• Real-time data tracking and its benefits
• Tailoring tools to diverse industry needs
• Upskilling for emerging project planning tech tools

Module 4: Resource Management and Optimisation

• Principles of resource management in project planning
• Techniques for resource estimation and budgeting
• Resource assignment strategies
• Handling resource constraints and multi-project environments
• Application of resource histogram

Module 5: Effective Risk Management Planning

• Risk identification and its sources
• Risk analysis: qualitative vs quantitative
• Developing risk response strategies
• Prioritisation of risks based on impact and probability
• Documentation: risk register and risk reports

Module 6: Stakeholder Engagement and Communication Planning

• Identifying and segmenting stakeholders
• Crafting effective communication strategy plans
• Managing stakeholder expectations
• Techniques for enhancing engagement
• Managing information flow and communication channels
• Evaluation tools for communication effectiveness
• Communication in agile project environments
• Resolving communication barriers
• Ethics and cultural considerations in communication planning

Module 7: Project Change Control and Configuration Management

• Establishing a change control system
• Components of configuration management
• Change request process and impact assessment
• Configuration item tracking and version control
• Audits and reconciliation processes
• Change management in agile projects
• Documentation of change history
• Training team members on change procedures
• Roles and responsibilities in change management

Module 8: Agile Project Planning and Execution

• Agile principles and mindset
• Iterative planning in Agile methodologies
• Creating and managing the product backlog
• Use of user stories in Agile planning
• Velocity tracking and sprint planning
• Incorporation of Agile tools and software
• Monitoring Agile projects and re-planning
• Using burndown charts to manage progress
• Adaptative leadership in Agile execution

Module 9: Programme and Portfolio Planning

• Distinctions between projects, programmes, and portfolios
• Portfolio planning and prioritisation models
• Strategic alignment and benefits realisation
• Resource balancing across programmes and projects
• Dependencies and inter-project conflict resolution

Module 10: Advanced Project Analytics and Business Intelligence

• The role of big data in project planning and execution
• Advanced analytics for predictive insights
• Business intelligence tools for data-driven decision making
• Custom reporting for various stakeholder needs
• Data visualization techniques for stakeholder presentations
• Integrating BI with project management systems
• Real-time analytics for project performance monitoring
• Machine learning algorithms for risk identification
• Utilising analytics for resource optimization
• Scenario analysis for strategic project decision making
• Predictive models for project outcome forecasting
• Leveraging AI for enhanced planning accuracy
• Prescriptive analysis for proactive project management

Module 11: Strategic Project Leadership and Team Dynamics

• Fostering strategic thinking as a project planner
• Effective leadership styles for project success
• Building high-performance project teams
• Emotional intelligence in project planning and execution
• Nurturing creativity and innovation within teams
• Cross-functional and virtual team management
• Decision-making frameworks in complex scenarios
• Conflict resolution techniques for project leaders
• Empowering teams for autonomous project execution
• Evaluating team dynamics and performance

Module 12: Continuous Improvement in Project Planning

• Principles of Kaizen for project management
• Implementing Six Sigma methodology in projects
• Tools for continuous improvement in project execution
• Developing a culture of learning and development
• Applying Lean principles to streamline project processes
• Root cause analysis for problem-solving
• Establishing metrics and KPIs for continuous monitoring
• Feedback loops and improvement cycles
• Organisational learning from past project insights
• Best practices for knowledge sharing across projects

Module 13: Legal Aspects and Contract Management in Projects

• Understanding contract law and its implications
• Types of contracts and their applications in projects
• Negotiating contract terms and conditions
• Managing procurement processes in project planning
• Legal aspects of vendor and subcontractor management
• Intellectual property considerations in projects
• Compliance with international laws and standards
• Handling legal disputes and claim resolutions
• Risk management through contractual obligations
• Documentation and record-keeping for legal protection

Module 14: Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Projects

• Integrating sustainability into project planning and execution
• CSR principles and their application in projects
• Environmental impact assessments for project planning
• Sustainable resource utilisation and waste reduction
• Stakeholder expectations and sustainability reporting
• Ethical considerations and social impact of projects
• Aligning project outcomes with global sustainability goals
• Measuring and reporting on sustainability performance