Advanced Course on Practice-Based Project Management and Scheduling

This advanced course in Practice-Based Project Management and Scheduling builds upon the Intermediate Project Management and Scheduling course, deepening expertise in project management. Effective scheduling, crucial for project success, relies on the accurate integration of relevant data. This course focuses on complex project scheduling, as defined by GAPPS 2007, and offers participants the skills to manage intricate projects. It covers comprehensive scheduling components and portfolio integration, introduces earned value management for handling schedule and cost variances, and addresses the realities of collaborative virtual business environments.

Purpose of the course

The purpose of the Advanced Level Short Course in Project Scheduling is to refine participants’ skills in managing complex project environments. This course enhances capabilities in scheduling within both waterfall and agile frameworks, integrates earned value management for tracking variances, and introduces collaborative management in virtual settings. It also focuses on advanced scheduling techniques, including the use of generic scheduling tools. As the final course in a series, it builds upon basic and intermediate scheduling skills, adding sophisticated elements for comprehensive project management. This course aims to:
- Present advanced scheduling techniques for complex project environments.
- Introduce scheduling principles in both waterfall and agile methodologies.
- Explore components for integrating information from existing strategies and plans.
- Incorporate earned value management to manage project variances.
- Teach collaborative management for virtual business environments and distributed information systems.
This course is the final in a series, following basic and intermediate levels, and builds on earlier scheduling skills with advanced features.

Admission requirements

Diploma/Certificate (NQF 5/6)

Other Course Prerequisite Criteria
Critical path project management and resource optimisation techniques: Participants should have a solid grasp of the critical path method (CPM) and resource optimisation techniques, including resource levelling and smoothing. This foundational knowledge is crucial for effectively managing complex schedules and ensuring efficient use of resources.
Basic knowledge of project philosophies and methodologies: A fundamental understanding of various project management philosophies and methodologies, such as waterfall, agile, and hybrid approaches, is required. This includes familiarity with the principles and practices of each methodology and their application within different project contexts.
These prerequisites ensure that participants are well-prepared to tackle advanced scheduling concepts and challenges, facilitating a more effective learning experience in the course.

Learning assumed to be in place

For the Advanced Level Short Course in Project Scheduling, participants should have a solid understanding of project management principles and methodologies, including experience with project lifecycles and key concepts. They are expected to possess intermediate scheduling skills, such as resource levelling and risk management, and be familiar with scheduling tools. Additionally, learners should have strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to address complex scheduling issues and experience in integrating data from multiple sources.
Familiarity with project management software is also required, with a basic understanding of its functionalities.

Course outcomes and assessment criteria

Course outcomes and the associated assessment criteria

Outcomes

Assessment Criteria

Integrated knowledge of, as well as the ability to analyse the role of the project within the project lifecycle in both structured and adaptive environments, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of project integration.
The ability to evaluate and define project requirements, effectively preparing for scheduling tasks and aligning them with project objectives.
Integrated knowledge of, as well as the ability to develop and refine the project scope, contributing to the formulation of a detailed master schedule.
The ability to assess the Project Architecture, stakeholder commitments, and project approach to create an inclusive and accurate project schedule.
The ability to establish and manage project baselines, understanding the impact of change management on these baselines.
The ability to interpret and utilise information from the bid phase to enhance scheduling accuracy.
The ability to integrate and manage scheduling interfaces with internal and external information systems, ensuring coherence and data integrity.
The ability to apply various advanced scheduling methods to complex project environments.
The ability to implement earned value management (EVM) across diverse project philosophies to track and evaluate project performance.
The ability to engage in collaborative project management within a virtual business environment, ensuring effective communication and coordination.
The ability to compile and analyse comprehensive task, resource, cost, and risk portfolios, demonstrating advanced data synthesis and integration.
The ability to construct a detailed project schedule, incorporating critical chain buffers and EVM principles.
The ability to generate and critically assess reports related to scheduling, CCPM, resource optimisation, and EVM.
The ability to track and manage project progress, events, and notifications effectively within a collaborative, distributed information system.

Define and articulate the phases and integration points of a project within its lifecycle.
Engage in critical discussions to establish project requirements and their implications for scheduling.
Develop a master schedule incorporating project scope and stakeholder inputs.
Create and manage a master record index, work packages, and change and deviation requests.
Perform and apply zero-based budgeting to project financial planning.
Develop an Information system interface.
Document to ensure effective information flow.
Participate in discussions and apply various advanced scheduling methods.
Engage in discussions and practical applications of EVM in different project contexts.
Collaborate and manage projects in virtual environments effectively.
Compile and analyse detailed task, resource, cost, and risk portfolios.
Create a sophisticated project schedule with risk and opportunity buffers.
Implement EVM in scheduling, producing and evaluating relevant reports.
Execute and interpret notifications and events, ensuring accurate tracking in a distributed information system.

Assessment

Formative and Summative assessment: Certificate of successful completion

Method of assessment

The assessment strategy for this CEd offering employs a combination of informal, formal, formative, and summative assessments to comprehensively evaluate participants' understanding and application of project management and scheduling concepts.
This blended assessment approach ensures that participants are not only tested on their knowledge but are also guided through their learning journey, helping them to achieve the desired outcomes effectively.
Assignments will be assessed by the SME.
Assignments will be moderated by subject experts in the industry.

Additional information

Programme number

NWU1180

Mode of delivery

Mixed

Target group

Project managers, programme managers, and senior administrators who seek to enhance their expertise in managing complex project schedules. Individuals with existing experience in project management who aim to deepen their understanding of advanced scheduling.

Duration

12 weeks