Planning Projects
for Performance Excellence

The Course

One of the most important phases in the success of project development is the planning phase. That’s why the management of a project begins at this critical phase where exceptionally realistic time and cost estimates are most needed to help the project manager realize the project’s deliverables. Good project planning not only saves time and money, but also increases the overall earned project value (quality, reliability, safety, etc.) for the amount of funding expended.

This course is comprised of three modules which can be booked as a 15-day training event, or as individual 5-day courses; Module 1 presents and examines the principles, tools and techniques used to develop schedules for both time and resources; Module 2 covers basic and advanced cost estimation techniques as well as the impact of risks that need to be considered to ensure the plan predicted is valid; and Module 3 Module presents and examines the implementation of the Value Engineering (VE) concept for maximizing project functionality, reliability and quality at the lowest possible cost.

The Structure

This comprehensive programme consists of three modules which can be booked as either a 15 Day or a 10 Day Training event, or as individual, 5 Day courses.

Module 1 - Project Scheduling & Planning Skills

Module 2 - Project Cost Estimating Skills

Module 3 - Value Engineering Skills

The Goals

Following the completion of this course, delegates will:

• Gain knowledge of techniques used in project estimating, from the conceptual stage to the final detailed estimate
• Understand the different types of estimates used to accurately and progressively estimate project costs
• Understand the different types of contracts based on the distribution of risk between contracting parties
• Gain knowledge of techniques used in resource planning and control
• Understand the time-cost trade-offs
• Identify risk sources and minimize their impact and learn how to sustain project momentum
• Learn how to administer project documentation and reporting
• Develop effective performance monitoring and control system
• Effectively apply incentive arrangements to get the best results from the contract
• Gather and organize information and cost relevant to the design aspects of the project
• Demonstrate better understanding of the key functions performed by key components of the design
• Critically assess and evaluate the relationships among key attributes such as cost, value and function
• Report effectively to top management and project stakeholders in the context of proposing new design alternatives that improve the overall project value
• Demonstrate proficiency in applying life-cycle costing principles
• Objectively present a convincing case in support of certain design alternatives

The Process

The course is a mixture of speaker input, case studies and practice exercises which will be used to facilitate group discussion. Delegates will gain detailed knowledge of cost estimation and value engineering concepts and techniques by active participation in the exercise/training sessions. Through lectures, case studies and practical exercises, delegates will focus on key concepts, terms, and principles necessary for realistically estimating, controlling and optimizing project costs.

The Benefits

This 15-day course will provide delegates with a proven set of critical skills and techniques for the development a systematic and dynamic project schedule, reliable cost estimate, as well as the ability and skills to compare the costs of alternative strategies or technical approaches to ensure the most economical project at the desired level of quality.

Delegates attending this 15-day course will be able to:

• Integrate scope, time, resources and cost management into a dynamic, manageable plan
• Develop project network diagrams for CPM and advanced PERT calculations to identify schedule and cost risks
• Maintain continuous project performance and delivery control
• Integrate all relevant project elements into a cohesive and comprehensive cost estimate
• Prepare budget estimates that will enable the owner-organization to make informed decisions as to the feasibility of a potential project
• Compare the costs of alternative strategies or technical approaches to ensure the most economical project at the desired level of quality
• Structure the contract compensation arrangement to provide the highest level of incentives to complete the project on schedule and within the determined budget
• Keep accurate control of the progressive budgeting process based on the various stages of design
• Prepare accurate budget estimates through the programming phase, the schematic design phase, and finally the design development phase
• Manage the interface between many value-adding initiatives and senior management expectations
• Apply systematic and innovative methodology with multi-disciplinary approach to achieve better value and cost optimization for projects
• Spread cost-consciousness among project team members
• Focus on function and thereby develops creative thinking towards cost reduction

The Results

Individuals and organisations will be better prepared in relation to how to manage the schedule, cost and design of their projects according to best practices. Individuals will learn how to adopt and apply a structured approach to time and cost estimation, budgeting and value engineering. This in turn will lead to having a consistent and streamlined schedule, cost and design management processes across the organisation.

• AZTech Certificate of Completion for delegates who attend and complete the training course