Planning Engineer Course

Lesson 1 • Planning Standards and Frameworks

Surveys industry-recognized planning frameworks and contractual planning requirements. Students can identify applicable standards for a given project context.

Lesson 2 • Role of the Planning Engineer

Defines the planning engineer's position within project organizations and key deliverables. Connects professional identity to daily responsibilities and stakeholder expectations.

Lesson 3 • Core Planning Terminology

Introduces essential vocabulary including activities, milestones, float, and critical path. Ensures consistent language use across all subsequent scheduling work.

Lesson 1 • WBS Quality and Validation

Applies completeness and consistency checks to ensure the WBS fully represents project scope. Students identify and correct common WBS errors before scheduling begins.

Lesson 2 • Developing the WBS

Guides step-by-step construction of a WBS from project scope documents. Students apply decomposition rules to avoid scope gaps and overlaps.

Lesson 3 • Activity Definition and Sequencing

Converts WBS work packages into schedulable activities with defined predecessors and successors. Establishes the activity list used in all subsequent scheduling chapters.

Lesson 1 • Duration Estimating Methods

Covers analogous, parametric, three-point, and expert-judgment estimating techniques. Students select and apply the appropriate method based on available project data.

Lesson 2 • Schedule Quality and Logic Checks

Identifies open ends, redundant logic, and constraint misuse that degrade schedule integrity. Students apply a structured review checklist before baseline submission.

Lesson 3 • Critical Path Method Calculations

Performs forward and backward pass calculations to determine project duration and float. Mastery of manual CPM ensures correct interpretation of software outputs.

Lesson 4 • Network Diagramming Methods

Introduces Activity-on-Node and Activity-on-Arrow diagramming conventions. Students construct small networks by hand to internalize logic before using software.

Lesson 1 • Resource Identification and Coding

Defines resource types, units, and coding structures used in resource-loaded schedules. Proper coding enables accurate reporting and cost integration later.

Lesson 2 • Resource Leveling and Smoothing

Resolves overallocations through leveling algorithms and manual smoothing techniques. Students balance resource demand against availability without extending the critical path unnecessarily.

Lesson 3 • Staffing Plans and Mobilization Curves

Translates resource histograms into staffing plans and S-curve mobilization profiles. Students use these outputs to support procurement and site logistics planning.

Lesson 1 • Progress Measurement Methods

Covers weighted milestones, percent complete rules, and physical measurement techniques. Accurate progress data is the foundation of reliable schedule performance reporting.

Lesson 2 • Variance Analysis and Corrective Action

Analyzes schedule variances to identify root causes and develop corrective action plans. Students produce a variance narrative suitable for a project status report.

Lesson 3 • Baseline Approval Process

Outlines the review, approval, and formal acceptance steps required to establish a project baseline. Students understand who authorizes the baseline and what documentation is required.

Lesson 4 • Schedule Update Procedures

Defines the data date, actual start/finish entry, and remaining duration update workflow. Students perform a complete schedule update cycle on a sample project.

Lesson 1 • EVM Fundamentals

Defines the three EVM data streams: planned value, earned value, and actual cost. Students understand how EVM connects schedule performance to financial outcomes.

Lesson 2 • EVM Reporting and Integration

Integrates EVM data into schedule status reports and management dashboards. Students produce an EVM report aligned with contractual reporting requirements.

Lesson 3 • Forecasting Completion

Applies EAC, ETC, and TCPI formulas to forecast final cost and schedule at completion. Students select the appropriate forecasting formula based on project conditions.

Lesson 1 • Delay Analysis Report Writing

Structures and writes a professional delay analysis report for contractual submission. Students apply clear, factual language and logical presentation to support claims.

Lesson 2 • Delay Quantification and Documentation

Quantifies critical delay impacts and links them to causation evidence. Students compile a structured delay event register with supporting documentation.

Lesson 3 • Types of Delays and Entitlement

Classifies delays as excusable, compensable, non-excusable, and concurrent. Students determine contractor entitlement to time and cost relief for each delay type.

Lesson 4 • As-Built Schedule Reconstruction

Reconstructs the as-built schedule from site records, daily reports, and correspondence. Accurate as-built data is essential for all retrospective delay analysis methods.

Lesson 1 • Risk Mitigation and Schedule Contingency

Develops risk response plans and calculates schedule contingency from simulation outputs. Students allocate contingency to specific risk drivers rather than applying a blanket buffer.

Lesson 2 • Qualitative Risk Assessment

Prioritizes schedule risks using probability-impact matrices and risk scoring. Students produce a ranked risk list to focus quantitative analysis on high-priority items.

Lesson 3 • Risk-Informed Schedule Reporting

Presents probabilistic schedule results to project leadership and clients in accessible formats. Students tailor risk communication to technical and non-technical audiences.

Lesson 4 • Schedule Risk Identification

Identifies schedule-specific risks using risk registers, interviews, and historical data. Students populate a risk register with probability, impact, and schedule linkage for each risk.