Master Advanced Project Planning, Resource And Scheduling

In Lecture 2, you'll gain crucial insights into managing project risks, as defined by Team Gantt. You'll learn to identify and address both internal risks (like team and resource issues) and external threats (such as technological changes or market shifts) that could impact your project's success. We'll cover common risk types, including vagueness, scope creep, project schedule risks and inadequate resources, providing strategies to mitigate each. By examining the Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 project, you'll see how the British Airports Authority tackled significant risks through proactive management and effective stakeholder collaboration.

Download and complete the Risk Management And Mitigation Strategies Worksheet.

Here, you’ll delve into the fundamentals of project scheduling as defined by Smartsheet, including its critical components such as tasks, dependencies, duration, resources, milestones and deadlines. You will learn how to effectively outline and manage each element to keep your project on track. Key scheduling techniques like the Critical Path Method, Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) and Gantt Charts will be explored, demonstrating how each tool helps in tracking progress, managing resources and visualising task dependencies. Through a case study of the Sydney Opera House project, you’ll see firsthand the consequences of poor scheduling and risk management.

Download and complete the Introduction To Advanced Scheduling Worksheet.

In Lecture 4, you'll discover the essentials of effective resource management, as defined by American software company Asana, which emphasises the importance of planning and scheduling to optimise resource utilisation for project success. You'll learn why proper resource management is crucial for avoiding bottlenecks, boosting productivity and reducing waste. We will cover key resources like finances, human resources, expertise, equipment and timelines and will highlight real-world examples, such as Apple's strategic use of lean production processes, robust supplier management and just-in-time inventory systems.

Download and complete the Resource Allocation And Management Worksheet.

In Lecture 5, you'll gain essential insights into stakeholder management and communication, which are crucial for project success. We'll begin by defining stakeholder management as the process of building and maintaining relationships with everyone affected by your project. You'll learn how to create a stakeholder map to identify key players, determine their needs and expectations and develop a comprehensive communication plan. We'll also cover the RACI chart, which clarifies roles and responsibilities and discuss the importance of monitoring and adapting your plan as stakeholder dynamics change.

Download and complete the Stakeholder Management And Communication Worksheet.

Here, we will uncover monitoring and control. You'll learn how to effectively track project progress by monitoring key elements like budgets, timelines and performance indicators to identify potential risks early. You'll also discover how to take proactive corrective actions to keep your project on course, such as realigning tasks, reallocating resources and managing scope changes. Additionally, you'll explore various tools and techniques to assess project performance, make informed decisions and ensure adherence to budget and scope, ultimately helping you deliver successful projects.

Download and complete the Project Monitoring and Control Worksheet.

In the concluding lecture, we will reflect on the knowledge and skills you have acquired during the course and how you can utilise them in real-life scenarios.