Project Planning And Control™ (PPC) Foundation And Practitioner | AMPG in Raleigh

Project Planning and Control™ (PPC) Foundation and Practitioner​ Course Outline

Definition (DE)

Module 1: Key Concepts of Definition of Project

• Understand the Basics of Definition of Projects
  • Business Case
  • Scope Management
  • Requirements Management
  • Stakeholder Management
• Types of Hierarchical Breakdown Structures
  • Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
  • Organisation Breakdown Structure (OBS)
  • Responsibility Assignment Matrix (RAM)
  • Cost Breakdown Structure (CBS)
  • Resource Breakdown Structure (RBS)

Module 2: Identify Appropriate Project Information and Keys Elements

• Works Information (WI)
  • Employers Information Specifies the Works to be Carried Out by the Supplier
  • Suppliers Response Incl. Details of how they Propose to Deliver the Works
• Statement of Work (SOW)
  • Customer Needs and Requirements
• Purpose of WBS
• Key Elements
  • Good Project Planning
  • Scheduling
  • Monitoring and Control
  • Definition of Business Case
  • Definition of Scope, Requirement, and Stakeholder Management

Planning (PL)

Module 3: Facts, Terms, and Concepts for Planning of a Project

• Definition and Outputs of Planning
• Names and Descriptions of the Principal Scheduling Components
• Terms of Planning
  • Dependency Management
  • Cost Estimating
  • Budgeting
• Definition of Key Handover and Closeout Terms
  • Handover
  • Project Closeout

Module 4: Characteristics of Common Estimating Methods

• Specific Analogy Estimating
• Parametric Estimating
• Delphi Technique
• Definitive Estimating Methods
• Activity-Based Cost (ABC) Estimating
• Estimating Methodologies
  • Approximate Estimating Methods
  • Definitive Estimating Methods
• Definition of the Planning Role
• Purpose of Planning
• Approaches to Planning
  • Top-Down Planning
  • Bottom-Up Planning
  • Agile Planning in the Software Industry
• Planning Strategies
• Allowing for Risk
• Creating Breakdown Structures
• Level 1, 2, 3, and Beyond
• Product Breakdown Structure (PBS)
  • What is a ‘Product’ in Planning Terms?
  • Definition of a PBS
  • Purpose of a PBS
  • Constructing a PBS
• Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
  • Principles of Designing a WBS
• Organisational Breakdown Structure (OBS)
• Responsibility Assignment Matrix (RAM)
• RACI Matrix
• Cost Breakdown Structure (CBS)
• Resources Breakdown Structure (RBS)
• Definition of Dependency Management
• Schedule Impact
• Handover and Project Closeout

Scheduling (SC)

Module 5: Explore the Facts, Terms, and Concepts of Scheduling Project

• Introduction to Scheduling
• Types of Schedules
  • Time-Based Schedules
  • Tracker Schedules
  • Schedule Design
  • Building the Schedule
  • Critical Path Method
  • Critical Path Analysis (CPA) Inputs
  • Time Analysis
  • Types of Logic Linking
  • Floats
  • Lags, Leads, and Constraints
  • Duration Estimation Techniques
  • Resources
  • Integration
  • Time Contingencies
• Communicating the Schedule
  • Bar Charts
  • Line of Balance
  • Time Change
  • Schedule Narrative
• Schedule Review

Module 6: Advantages and Disadvantages of Target Schedules

• Target Schedule
• Process of Resourcing the Schedule
• Resource Smoothing
• Scheduling Interfaces and Dependencies
  • Identification
  • Coding
  • Integration and Impact Analysis
  • Impact Resolution
• Scheduling Process
  • Steps in Establishing the Schedule
  • Once the Schedule is Created
• Checking the Schedule
  • Understanding the Project Schedule
  • Components of the Schedule Display
  • Critical Matters Not Included in Display
• Scheduling Checks
  • Activity and Logic Checks
  • Float and Critical Path Checks
  • Resources Checks
  • Review of Schedule Risk
• Schedule Structure
  • Schedule Density
  • Detail Density: Considerations
  • Network Templates
• Schedule Types: Time-Based
• Displaying Networks on Bar Charts
• Elements of Schedule Design
• Creating a Critical Path Network
• Definition of Critical Path Method
• Purpose of Critical Path Network
• Methods of Constructing a Critical Path
• Inputs into a Critical Path Analysis
• Steps to Create a Network Analysis
  • Create a Logical Network
  • Forward Pass
  • Backward Pass
  • Calculation of Total Float
  • Identification of Critical Path
• Float
• Lags and Leads
• Use of Constraints
• Types of Logic Linking
• Different Approaches to Produce Duration Estimates for the Project
  • Three-Point Estimating
  • PERT (Programme Evaluation Review Technique)
  • Comparative
  • Benchmarked Data
  • Resource Dependent and Expert Opinion
• Resourcing the Schedule
• Horizontal and Vertical Integration of Schedules
• Time Contingencies
• Bar Charts
• Line of Balance
• Time Chainage
• Schedule Narrative
• Definition of Schedule Review
• Purpose of Schedule Review
• Checking the Schedule
• Planning Checks
• Scheduling Checks

Monitor and Control (MC)

Module 7: Understand Key Concepts Monitor and Control of a Project

• Baseline
  • Project Baseline
  • Baselining Principles
  • Baseline Maintenance
  • Re-Planning and Re-Programming
• Performance Reporting
  • Control Systems
  • Progress Assessment
  • Variance Analysis
  • Drop a Line Method
  • Activity Weeks Method
  • Milestone Monitoring
  • Cash Flow Monitoring
  • Resource Monitoring
  • Network Analysis
  • Earned Value Analysis (EVA)
  • Basic Terminology
• Budget at Completion
• Planned Cost
• Earned Value
• Actual Cost
  • Budget Loaded Schedule
  • Budget Elements
  • Work Packages and Planning Packages
  • Setting the Baseline
  • Drawing ‘S’ Curves
  • Measuring Progress
  • Actual Costs
  • Variances and KPIs
  • Charting Variances
  • EVA and KPIs
  • Forecasting
  • Benefits of EVA
• Cost Control
• Short-Term Planning
  • Short-Term Planning Process
  • Make Ready Needs
  • Co-ordination Meetings
• Change Management
  • Change Control
  • Change Control Process
  • Change Orders
  • Implementing Change
  • Communicating Change
• Risk Management
  • Risk Management Plan
  • Risk Budget
  • Quantitative Schedule Risk Analysis (QSRA)
  • Quantitative Cost Risk Analysis (QCRA)
• Forensic Analysis
• Record Keeping

Module 8: Monitoring and Control of a Project

• Performance Analysis Methods of Progress Monitoring
• Definition of Risk Management
• Purpose of Risk Management
• Risk Response
• When Risks are Mitigated, Realised, and Closed?
• When are Opportunities Realised?
• Documenting Changes in the Risk Budget
• Project-Level Change: Process Overview
• Raising a Change Request
• Change Log
• Initial Evaluation of the Change Request
• Estimating Impact of Change
• Detailed Evaluation of Change Request
• Approved Request
• Implementing the Change
• Communicating the Change
• Monthly Change Reporting Requirements
• Distribution Types
• Application of Risks to Schedule Activities
• Purpose of QCRA and QCRA process
• Baseline
• Curves Showing Planned Value, Actual Cost and Earned Value
• Cost and Schedule Variance
• Cost and Schedule Variance Charts
• Bulls Eye Performance Charts
• Short-Term Planning Process
• Definition of Forensic Analysis
• Purpose of Forensic Analysis
• Methods of Forensic Analysis

Who should attend this Project Planning and Control™ (PPC) Foundation and Practitioner Course?

This Project Planning and Control™ (PPC) Foundation and Practitioner Course is designed for anyone who wants to learn the knowledge, skills, and best practices related to planning and controlling projects. This training course is beneficial for these professionals:

• Project Managers
• Planning Engineers
• Project Control Engineers
• Programme Managers
• Portfolio Managers
• Business Analysts
• Quality Assurance Professionals

Prerequisites of this Project Planning and Control™ (PPC) Foundation and Practitioner Course

There are no formal prerequisites in this Project Planning and Control™ (PPC) Foundation and Practitioner Training Course. However, it will be beneficial to have some basic knowledge of Project Management. Also, successful completion of the Project Planning and Control™ (PPC) Foundation Examination is required before moving on to the Practitioner section of this course.

Project Planning and Control™ (PPC) Foundation and Practitioner Course Overview

Project Planning and Control are essential components of successful Project Management, ensuring that projects are completed on time, within scope, and within budget. These disciplines involve meticulous planning, monitoring, and adjustment of project activities to achieve desired outcomes. As businesses increasingly rely on structured Project Management practices, mastering these skills becomes crucial for delivering high-quality results.

Understanding Project Planning and Control is vital for professionals who manage or are involved in projects, regardless of the industry. This knowledge equips them with the tools to foresee challenges, allocate resources effectively, and mitigate risks. Professionals such as Project Managers, Team Leaders, and coordinators should aim to master these concepts to enhance their efficiency and project success rates.

After completing 5 days Project Planning and Control™ (PPC) Foundation and Practitioner Course offered by The Knowledge Academy and successfully passing your Project Planning and Control™ (PPC) Foundation Exam, the fifth day of this course is a flexible exam preparation day to complete at your convenience, to prepare you to take and pass your Project Planning and Control™ (PPC) Practitioner exam online.

Course Objectives

• To understand the fundamental principles of project planning and control
• To learn how to develop and manage project schedules
• To gain skills in resource allocation and management
• To identify and mitigate project risks effectively
• To master techniques for monitoring and controlling project progress
• To understand the use of project management software tools

Upon completing this Project Planning and Control™ Course, delegates will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to manage projects more efficiently and effectively. They will be able to apply best practices in project planning and control to ensure their projects meet objectives and deliver value to their organisations.

What’s included in this Project Planning and Control™ (PPC) Foundation and Practitioner Course?

• Project Planning and Control™ (PPC) Foundation Examination
• Project Planning and Control™ (PPC) Practitioner Examination
• World-Class Training Sessions from Experienced Instructors
• Project Planning and Control™ (PPC) Foundation Certificate
• Project Planning and Control™ (PPC) Practitioner Certificate
• Digital Delegate Pack

Project Planning and Control™ (PPC) Foundation Exam Information

The Project Planning and Control™ (PPC) Foundation introduces the fundamentals of project planning and control techniques, while the practitioner level delves into the detailed application of these techniques, empowering professionals to efficiently plan, monitor, and control complex projects. 

• Question Type: Multiple Choice 
• Total Questions: 50 
• Total Marks: 50 Marks 
• Pass Marks: 50% or 25/50 Marks 
• Duration: 40 minutes 
• Open Book/ Closed Book: Closed Book