Mastering Project Scheduling and Controlling - Full Diploma

"This course contains the use of artificial intelligence."

Project Controls Masterclass: Planning, Scheduling, Cost Control & Earned Value Management

Master the complete project controls framework used to deliver projects on time, within budget, and with confidence.

Successful projects don't happen by chance. They are planned, monitored, controlled, and continuously measured using proven project controls techniques. Whether you're working in construction, engineering, infrastructure, manufacturing, energy, mining, or capital projects, effective project controls provide the visibility and decision-making tools needed to achieve successful outcomes.

This comprehensive course takes you step-by-step through the complete project controls lifecycle, from defining project scope and developing schedules to managing costs, forecasting performance, controlling change, and reporting progress to stakeholders.

Unlike software-specific training, this course focuses on the principles and methodologies that underpin professional project controls. The skills you learn can be applied using Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, Excel, Power BI, Deltek, Asta Powerproject, or any other project management platform.

What You'll Learn

Module 1: Foundations of Project Controls

Build a solid understanding of the project controls discipline and its role throughout the project lifecycle.

• Project controls fundamentals

• The relationship between scope, schedule, cost, risk and reporting

• Project lifecycle phases

• Planning versus controlling

• Roles and responsibilities within project controls teams

• Key project controls processes and terminology

• Integrated project performance management

Module 2: Scope & Breakdown Structures

Learn how successful projects are structured before planning begins.

• Project scope definition

• Work Breakdown Structures (WBS)

• Product Breakdown Structures (PBS)

• Organizational Breakdown Structures (OBS)

• WBS coding systems

• Control accounts and work packages

• Scope decomposition techniques

• Creating a planning framework that supports scheduling and cost control

Module 3: Estimating & Cost Planning

Develop the financial foundation needed for effective project control.

• Cost estimating principles

• Estimating classifications and accuracy ranges

• Bottom-up and top-down estimating methods

• Resource-based estimating

• Budget development

• Cost aggregation

• Cost baselines

• Contingency and management reserves

• Cost planning best practices

Module 4: Scheduling & Network Analysis

Master the scheduling techniques used on professional projects worldwide.

• Activity definition and sequencing

• Schedule logic development

• Network diagrams

• Critical Path Method (CPM)

• Precedence relationships

• Leads and lags

• Float analysis

• Critical path identification

• Schedule constraints

• Calendars and working time

• Schedule optimization techniques

• Baseline schedule development

Module 5: Resource & Cash Flow Planning

Connect schedule and cost information to improve project visibility.

• Resource planning fundamentals

• Resource loading

• Resource leveling concepts

• Time-phased budgeting

• Cost loading schedules

• Cash flow forecasting

• Funding requirements

• Spending profiles

• S-curve development and interpretation

• Resource utilization analysis

Module 6: Risk Management

Understand how uncertainty affects project performance and how to respond effectively.

• Risk management framework

• Risk identification techniques

• Qualitative risk assessment

• Probability and impact analysis

• Risk prioritization

• Risk registers

• Risk response planning

• Mitigation strategies

• Opportunity management

• Monitoring and controlling project risks

Module 7: Earned Value, Progress & Forecasting

Learn one of the most powerful performance measurement systems used in project management.

• Progress measurement techniques

• Physical progress assessment

• Earned Value Management (EVM)

• Planned Value (PV)

• Earned Value (EV)

• Actual Cost (AC)

• Cost Performance Index (CPI)

• Schedule Performance Index (SPI)

• Variance analysis

• Forecasting techniques

• Estimate at Completion (EAC)

• Estimate to Complete (ETC)

• To Complete Performance Index (TCPI)

• Performance trend analysis

• Early warning indicators

Module 8: Change, Baselines & Integration

Maintain project control when project conditions change.

• Baseline management

• Schedule baseline control

• Cost baseline control

• Configuration management concepts

• Change management processes

• Change requests

• Impact assessment

• Integrated change control

• Governance considerations

• Maintaining data integrity across project controls systems

Module 9: Procurement & Contract Control

Understand how contracts influence project performance and project controls.

• Procurement fundamentals

• Contract types

• Contract administration

• Scope control within contracts

• Contractor performance monitoring

• Progress assessment

• Payment applications

• Variations and change orders

• Claims awareness

• Contract reporting

• Procurement performance tracking

Module 10: Reporting, Dashboards & Governance

Transform project data into meaningful information that supports decision-making.

• Project reporting frameworks

• Performance dashboards

• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Executive reporting

• Progress narratives

• Variance explanations

• Trend reporting

• Governance structures

• Stage-gate reviews

• Stakeholder communication

• Reporting best practices

  
  

  By the end of this course, you'll understand how project controls professionals integrate scope, schedule, cost, risk, performance measurement, and governance into a unified control system that supports project success.