Project Planning, Scheduling and Cost Estimating Skills Training

The DIXONTECH Project Planning, Scheduling and Cost Estimating Skills Training course equips professionals with advanced techniques to plan, schedule, and control projects efficiently. Integrating PMI® and AACE® methodologies, the training emphasizes developing reliable project baselines, applying analytical tools, and aligning cost and schedule performance with organizational objectives for successful project delivery.

TRAINING TOPICS

• Project Planning Framework and Lifecycle Integration
• Schedule Development and Critical Path Analysis
• Cost Estimating Principles and Budgeting Methods
• Earned Value Management (EVM) and Forecasting
• Project Performance Measurement and Reporting

BY THE END OF THIS TRAINING COURSE, DELEGATES WILL BE ABLE TO:

Develop integrated planning, scheduling, and cost estimation skills to improve project control and performance.

• Design effective project plans and work structures
• Prepare reliable and defensible cost estimates
• Build and monitor project schedules accurately
• Apply EVM for schedule and cost control
• Forecast performance and manage deviations
• Communicate results using performance dashboards
• Integrate time, cost, and scope control frameworks

TRAINING IS TAILORED TO

Professionals engaged in project delivery, cost control, and performance management across diverse industries.

• Project Managers and Engineers
• Planning and Scheduling Professionals
• Cost Estimators and Quantity Surveyors
• PMO and Project Control Officers
• Financial and Performance Analysts
• Construction and Infrastructure Specialists
• Professionals Seeking PMI® or AACE® Certification

TRAINING METHODOLOGY

This DIXONTECH training combines structured lectures, applied case studies, and simulation-based exercises. Participants gain hands-on experience using scheduling and cost estimation tools (e.g., MS Project, Primavera, Excel) while developing analytical and decision-making skills for integrated project management.

DAY 1

INTRODUCTION TO PROJECT PLANNING AND CONTROL FRAMEWORKS

• Overview of PMI® and AACE® planning standards
• Project lifecycle phases and deliverable alignment
• Key concepts: scope, time, cost, and performance
• Building project baselines and control plans
• Importance of integration between cost and schedule
• Workshop: defining project objectives and baselines

DAY 2

PROJECT SCHEDULING PRINCIPLES AND TECHNIQUES

• Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and activity sequencing
• Network diagrams and dependency relationships
• Critical Path Method (CPM) and float analysis
• Schedule compression and optimization techniques
• Linking resources and constraints to schedules
• Workshop: developing a detailed project schedule

DAY 3

COST ESTIMATING AND BUDGET DEVELOPMENT

• Estimation types: conceptual, definitive, parametric, and bottom-up
• Cost elements and breakdown structures (CBS)
• Resource loading and rate calculation
• Estimating indirect costs, contingencies, and escalation
• Building the project cost baseline and S-curve
• Case study: creating a project budget from WBS data

DAY 4

EARNED VALUE MANAGEMENT (EVM) AND PERFORMANCE CONTROL

• Understanding EVM concepts and key metrics (PV, EV, AC, CPI, SPI)
• Integrating cost and schedule performance data
• Variance and forecasting calculations (EAC, ETC, VAC)
• Using EVM dashboards for executive reporting
• Analyzing project trends and corrective actions
• Workshop: performing EVM analysis with real data

DAY 5

FORECASTING, REPORTING, AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

• Forecasting project outcomes and performance indices
• Developing reports and dashboards for stakeholders
• Managing changes and maintaining control baselines
• Linking project controls to risk and decision management
• Continuous improvement and lessons learned techniques
• Final simulation: integrated cost and schedule control exercise