Computer-assisted Project Planning


Overview/Description
Target Audience
Expected Duration
Lesson Objectives
Course Number


Overview/Description
It has been said, and rightly so, that a computer is nothing more than a calculating machine, capable of storing and manipulating large amounts of electronic information. But it is because of this strength that the computer has become an essential project management tool. This course illustrates methods for integrating the traditional tools of project management, such as the WBS, Gantt and Network Charts and the Critical Path Method with today's technology. Using computer assisted planning allows you to calculate quickly Early Start and Early Finish dates, Late Start and Late Finish Dates and create alternative scenarios and what-ifsnecessary for accurate planning and distribution of critical resources.

Target Audience
Anyone who works on a project team, including managers, supervisors, project managers, team members.

Expected Duration (hours)
3.0

Lesson Objectives

Desktop Solutions

  • recognise the strengths and limitations of the computer in project management.
  • recognise the "pros and cons" of using the computer to help plan and track your project.
  • recognise the wide variety of reports that are available to aid planning, scheduling, tracking and resource levelling.
  • recognise how to use the computer to accommodate different variables that affect budgets, resources and schedules.

    • Project Management Terminology: Level 3

  • match key project management terms with the proper definition.
  • calculate the early start/early finish dates based on information provided.
  • calculate the late start and late finish dates for a task.
  • calculate the lead time for a particular task based on information provided.

    • Resource Loading and Levelling

  • Apply resource loading and levelling principles to given information and situations.
  • recognise the importance of resource loading.
  • recognise the elements that constitute resources.
  • recognise how to use and apply resource levelling in project management.

    • Gantts, PERTS and the Critical Path

  • recognise the critical importance of using your computer to generate iterative Gantt charts, PERT charts and critical path.
  • recognise the strengths of a computer-generated Gantt chart in planning, developing and tracking your project.
  • recognise the strengths of a computer-generated network chart in planning, developing and tracking your project.

    • Course Number:
    PROJ8103