Project Planning, Scheduling & Cost Control

This course will boost both the “soft” skills and the technical skills you need to successfully plan and schedule construction projects, as well as manage time, cost, and productivity. Effective planning, scheduling, and control in construction project management will make the difference between being on time, or behind time; making money or losing money; and most importantly being stressed-out or stress-free.  

Course Description 

Effective planning, scheduling, and control in construction project management will make the difference between being on time, or behind time; making money or losing money; and most importantly being stressed-out or stress-free. Save money on your projects and build the brand recognition and reputation that you desire for yourself and your business by learning to effectively manage your project's schedule, costs & resources. This course will boost both the “soft” skills and the technical skills you need to successfully plan and schedule construction projects, as well as manage time, cost, and productivity.  

By the end of this course, you will learn how to: 

• Identify and apply both the soft (leadership, communication, management) and technical skills used to plan, schedule, and control construction projects 
• Manage time, cost, quantity, and quality performance  

Planning 

• Plan for Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous (VUCA) 
• Ensure proper communication structures are in place to effectively implement the planning and scheduling process 
• Analyze performance and productivity information from past construction projects for use in planning future projects 

Scheduling 

• Analyze and determine sequence and duration of construction activities  
• Develop and review critical path method (CPM) schedules  
• Develop a construction schedule (baseline schedule) 
• Develop effective short term look ahead schedules 
• Conduct time impact analysis on your project 

Control 

• Identify and reduce/eliminate bottlenecks and waste using the Ching FOCCCUS method and Lean thinking 
• Apply change and claim management principles, identification, and relief documentation 
• Apply and manage resources effectively 
• Monitor, control, and update project progress including accelerating and delaying construction using the DIRECT Anatomy of a Recovery Method 

Who should attend?  

This course is suitable for anyone involved in the management of construction projects including: 

• Trade Contractors 
• Project Managers, Coordinators, Assistants 
• Superintendents, Forepersons, other site leaders 
• Estimators 
• Field Engineers 
• Quality Assurance/Monitoring & Evaluation Coordinators 
• Facilities Managers 
• LEED Coordinators 
• BIM Coordinators 
• Architects and Designers  

Gold Seal Credits:  

This course is a CCA Gold Seal Certified Course (1 Credit)

Course Format 

• This is a blended learning course that includes: Three, three-hour virtual sessions delivered live, online by your instructor. You will also have access to another 20+ recorded instructional videos via links provided by your instructor. 
• Final Test: Your instructor will provide you with instructions and access to a final, online, multiple-choice test which you must pass to successfully complete the course and receive a certificate. 
• This course is facilitated by the instructor on the Zoom platform. Access information will be provided to you in advance of the training. You will be expected to have your webcam on during the class and participate in group discussions and other activities with your instructor and classmates during the course. 
• Course Requirements (Technology & Participation) 

Please make sure you have the following: 

• Computer or laptop with webcam: This course will involve on-screen interaction with your instructor and classmates, reading/viewing on-screen content like slides or videos, and interacting via typing with questions or responses. For this reason, we recommend that you have a full computer/laptop set-up and don’t recommend using a cell phone or tablet to attend the training. 
• A quiet space with minimal distractions: plan to be fully engaged in the class and clear your work schedule just as you would for attendance in an in-class program. 

Refunds or Transfers: 

• Five (5) or more business days before the course start date: Full refund of registration fees or can be transfers to a different course date.
• Less than five (5) business days before the course start date and course no-shows: No refunds or transfers to future course dates.
• For a complete document on the NRCA Education Policies, click here. 

Other Policies

• Substitution of another member of your company/team is permitted up to the course start date for no additional fee.
• Unless otherwise stated, every person able to see, hear, and observe the virtual course sessions must be a paid participant. Non-compliance of this requirement will result in removal from the course. Refunds will not be issued to students who are removed from the course for non-compliance of this requirement.
• If the NRCA has to postpone or cancel courses due to insufficient enrolment, NRCA will refund the registration fee or, if possible, the attendee may choose to move to an identical session in the future.

The Instructor - Tom Stephenson, MBA, CM-LEAN, PMP 

Tom is a national award-winning professor and best-selling textbook author whose background in education spans nearly three decades. He has been a full-time Professor at George Brown College in Toronto, ON, since 1992, and prior to teaching, he owned, managed, and operated a mid-sized general contracting company. Tom holds three Trade Licenses: General Carpenter, Brick and Stone Mason, and Industrial Woodworker.  

Tom authored, developed, and coordinates the Building Renovation and Restoration Technician, and Technology Programs at George Brown College. He also teaches Project Management for professional organizations including The Construction Institute of Canada and the Ontario General Contractors Association, as well as Building Science courses at the University of Toronto and Ryerson University. Tom is the author of the newly released textbook, Planning, Scheduling, and Control of Construction Projects with American Technical Publishers, as well as four best-selling editions of Understanding Construction Drawings for Housing and Small Buildings with Nelson Publishing Canada (now with Top Hat).  

A champion of change management, Tom takes pride in helping students and businesses navigate uncharted territories, take calculated risks, and rise above the status quo.