Learn how to manage projects, particularly those applying Earned Value Management (EVM)  techniques, using sound schedules that integrate cost and technical data and provide the project management team with the information needed to make effective decisions and take appropriate actions in response to the day-to-day challenges of the projects. This 3-day class provides both new and experienced master planner/schedulers with practical approaches for building, using, and maintaining an Integrated Master Schedule (IMS).

Course Overview

This Advanced Scheduling Techniques for EVM Projects provides project managers and project schedulers and planners with practical approaches to building, executing, and maintaining integrated project schedules using a standardized methodology for project planning, scheduling and analysis. Course curriculum is based on the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Planning and Scheduling Excellence Guide (PASEG).

• 3-days
• 24 PDUs/contact hours
• PMP Certified Instructors

Course Objectives

 Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Identify the Generally Accepted Scheduling Principles (GASP)
• Architect an Integrated Master Schedule
• Understand schedule modeling techniques
• Accomplish Cost and Schedule Integration
• Design the Project Schedule for Integration into External Schedules
• Ensure Vertical and Horizontal Integration
• Maintain the Schedule Using Generally Accepted Scheduling Principles
• Update Activity Status and Forecast Activity Completion Dates and Costs
• Conduct Schedule Analysis
• Establish a Business Rhythm for Maintaining Schedules and Delivering Schedules to Customers 

Target Student

This course is designed for:

• Project Planners and Schedulers
• Project Managers
• Control Account Managers
• Program Controls Analysts 
• Project Team Members

Course Content

Module 1: Introduction to Project Scheduling

• Lesson 1.1: Projects and Project Management
• Lesson 1.2: The Importance of the Integrated Master Schedule and Project Success
• Lesson 1.3: Project Scope, Schedule and Cost Integration
• Lesson 1.4: Managing Project Using Earned Value Management

Module 2: Generally Accepted Scheduling Practices (GASP)

• Lesson 2.1: GASP 1 - Complete Schedules
• Lesson 2.2: GASP 2 - Traceable Schedules
• Lesson 2.3: GASP 3 - Transparent Schedules
• Lesson 2.4: GASP 4 - Statused Schedules
• Lesson 2.5: GASP 5 - Predictive Schedules
• Lesson 2.6: GASP 6 - Usable Schedules
• Lesson 2.7: GASP 7 - Resourced Schedules
• Lesson 2.8: GASP 8 - Controlled Schedules

Module 3: Schedule Development and Control

• Lesson 3.1: Identify Schedule Activities
• Lesson 3.2: Sequence Schedule Activities
• Lesson 3.3: Estimate Activity Resources
• Lesson 3.4: Estimate Activity Durations
• Lesson 3.5: Develop and Analyze Schedule
• Lesson 3.6: Status the Schedule
• Lesson 3.7: Analyze Schedule Performance
• Lesson 3.8: Control Schedule Baseline Changes

Module 4: Schedule Architecture

• Lesson 4.1: Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) Architecture
• Lesson 4.2: Schedule Hierarchy

Module 5: Schedule Modeling Techniques

• Lesson 5.1: Activity Naming Conventions
• Lesson 5.2: Activity Durations
• Lesson 5.3: Activity Relationships and Schedule Logic
• Lesson 5.4: Activity Relationship Lead and Lag Times
• Lesson 5.5: Activity Constraints
• Lesson 5.6: Milestones
• Lesson 5.7: Summaries and Hammocks
• Lesson 5.8: Level of Effort
• Lesson 5.9: Apportioned Effort Activities
• Lesson 5.10: Working Calendars
• Lesson 5.11: Schedule Calculation Algorithm
• Lesson 5.12: Schedule Margin

Module 6: Cost and Schedule Integration

• Lesson 6.1: Resource-Loaded versus Non-Resource Loaded Schedules
• Lesson 6.2: Resource Loaded Schedules
• Lesson 6.3: Non-Resource Loaded Schedules

Module 7: External Schedule Integration

• Lesson 7.1: Subproject/External Schedule Integration
• Lesson 7.2: Interface Handoff Milestones
• Lesson 7.3: Schedule Visibility Tasks (SVT)

Module 8: Horizontal and Vertical Traceability

• Lesson 8.1: Horizontal Traceability
• Lesson 8.2: Vertical Traceability
• Lesson 8.3: Activity Coding for Traceability

Module 9: Schedule Maintenance

• Lesson 9.1: Status to Timenow
• Lesson 9.2: Forecasting
• Lesson 9.3: Schedule Acceleration Techniques
• Lesson 9.4: Estimate at Completion

Module 10: Schedule Analysis

• Lesson 10.1: Critical and Driving Path Analysis
• Lesson 10.2: Schedule Health Assessment
• Lesson 10.3: Risk and Opportunity
• Lesson 10.4: Schedule Execution Metrics
  • Critical Path Length Index (CPLI)
  • Schedule Performance Index (SPI)
  • Baseline Execution Index (BEI)
  • Current Execution Index (CEI)
  • Duration-Based vs. Scope-Based Percent Complete
  • Schedule Rate Chart

Module 11: Business Rhythm and Submittal 

• Lesson 11.1: IMS Supplemental Guidance
• Lesson 11.2: Schedule Procedure Documentation
• Lesson 11.3: IMS Submittals
• Lesson 11.4: Business Rhythm
• Lesson 11.5: Program Schedule Reviews

Module 12: Training

• Lesson 12.1: Leadership Training
• Lesson 12.2: Planner/Scheduler Skills and Training

Module 13: Program and Contract Phase Considerations

• Lesson 13.1: Proposal IMS Considerations
• Lesson 13.2: Scheduling in a Production Environment