Construction Scheduling using Project Libre (Face to Face | Jul 10-11, 2026)

Construction Scheduling Using Project Libre

This course provides hands-on training on ProjectLibre, an open-source project scheduling software, focusing on the development, updating, and control of construction schedules using Critical Path Method (CPM) principles.

Unlike generic software tutorials, this course emphasizes the planning mindset, realistic construction sequencing, and project control practices, allowing participants to build schedules that can actually be used on site and in project coordination meetings.

Participants will learn how to create a structured WBS, define activities and logic, analyze the critical path, update progress, and produce clear, professional Gantt charts suitable for construction projects—without relying on expensive licensed software.

At the end of this 2-day training, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the role of planning and scheduling in construction project control.
2. Navigate the ProjectLibre interface and understand key features.
3. Set up a construction project with correct dates, calendars, and structure.
4. Develop a clear WBS and activity list aligned with construction scope.
5. Apply proper logic relationships (FS, SS, FF, SF).
6. Perform CPM calculations and interpret the critical path and float.
7. Create and manage schedule baselines.
8. Update schedules and monitor project progress.
9. Generate and present Gantt charts and schedule reports.
10. Build a complete construction schedule from scratch using ProjectLibre.

Course Duration: 2 days @ 8 hours per day

Course Outline

MODULE 0 – Software Download, Installation, and Setup

(Email guide will be sent to the participants 1 day before the training)

Topics:

• System requirements
• ProjectLibre overview
• Downloading ProjectLibre
• Installing ProjectLibre
• Interface setup and recommended settings
• File formats and compatibility (MPP, POD)
• Folder structure and file management best practices

DAY 1 – Schedule Development Fundamentals

MODULE 1 – Planning & Scheduling Fundamentals

Purpose: To establish the correct planning mindset before using ProjectLibre, ensuring participants understand why schedules behave the way they do in construction projects.

Topics:

• Planning vs scheduling (construction context)
• Why construction schedules fail
• Role of the Planner / Scheduler
• Overview of CPM and its importance

🛠 Workshop:

• Identify planning mistakes from a sample delayed project

MODULE 2 – Introduction to ProjectLibre

Purpose: To familiarize participants with ProjectLibre as a CPM-based scheduling tool and position it correctly relative to MS Project and Primavera P6.

Topics + Demo:

• What is ProjectLibre
• Key similarities and differences vs MS Project and Primavera
• Interface, views, and navigation
• File management and project structure

🛠 Hands-on Exercise:

• Navigate the interface and review sample project files

MODULE 3 – Project Setup and Calendars

Purpose: To ensure participants can set up a project correctly, reflecting real construction working conditions—one of the most common sources of scheduling errors.

Topics:

• Creating a new project
• Project start date and scheduling options
• Defining calendars (5-day / 6-day / 7-day workweeks)
• Holidays and non-working days

🛠 Hands-on Exercise:

• Create a construction project calendar aligned with site conditions.

MODULE 4 – WBS and Activity Development

Purpose: To translate construction scope into a clear, structured, and schedulable plan using proper WBS and activity definition.

Topics:

• Creating summary tasks (WBS)
• Good vs bad WBS (construction examples)
• Activity naming and description standards
• Milestones and task types
• Duration estimating using construction logic

🛠 Hands-on Exercise:

• Develop WBS and activities for a sample road or building project

MODULE 5 – Logic Relationships and CPM

Purpose: To teach participants how to sequence activities correctly, apply logic, and understand how CPM drives project dates.

Topics:

• FS, SS, FF, SF relationships
• Leads and lags (when to use and avoid)
• Running CPM calculations
• Identifying the critical path
• Understanding float

🛠 Hands-on Exercise:

• Link activities, run CPM, and analyze the critical path

DAY 2 – Schedule Control, Updating, and Reporting

MODULE 6 – Schedule Baseline and Control

Purpose: To introduce baseline management so participants can measure performance instead of constantly re-planning

Topics:

• What is a baseline and why it matters
• Creating schedule baselines
• Baseline vs current schedule comparison
• Detecting early schedule slippage

🛠 Hands-on Exercise:

• Create a baseline and compare it with an updated schedule

MODULE 7 – Updating and Progress Monitoring

Purpose: To enable participants to update schedules honestly and correctly, supporting real project control and decision-making

Topics:

• Updating actual start and finish dates
• Percent complete methods
• Common updating mistakes
• Honest vs cosmetic updates

🛠 Hands-on Exercise:

• Update the project using sample progress data

MODULE 8 – Schedule Analysis and Review

Purpose: To help participants interpret schedule results, identify risks, and understand the implications of changes

Topics:

• Reviewing critical path changes
• Float consumption and schedule risk
• Identifying logic and duration issues
• Basic schedule recovery concepts

🛠 Hands-on Exercise:

• Analyze a delayed scenario and identify corrective actions

MODULE 9 – Gantt Charts and Reporting

Purpose: To teach participants how to present schedules clearly and professionally for management, site teams, and reporting

Workshop Flow:

• Gantt chart formatting best practices
• Filtering critical and delayed tasks
• Printing and page setup
• Exporting schedules to PDF

🛠 Hands-on Exercise:

• Prepare a management-ready Gantt chart.

MODULE 10 – Capstone Workshop – Construction Project

Purpose: To integrate all lessons into one complete, end-to-end scheduling exercise, reinforcing confidence and competence

Workshop Flow:

• Create project from scratch
• Build WBS and activities
• Assign logic and calendars
• Run CPM
• Create baseline
• Update progress
• Prepare final schedule output

🛠 Final Outputs:

✔ Complete CPM-based construction schedule
✔ Printable Gantt chart
✔ Confidence using ProjectLibre for real projects

🎁 BONUS MODULE – Planner’s Best Practices & Career Guidance (1 hr)

Purpose: Add real-world value beyond software skills

Topics:

• Common mistakes of beginner planners
• How planners support Project Managers
• How to explain schedules to site engineers
• Red flags in contractor schedules
• Career path: Planner → Senior Planner → Planning Manager
• Interview and planning test tips

References:

1. ProjectLibre – Official User Documentation
2. PMI – Practice Standard for Scheduling
3. PMI – PMBOK® Guide
4. AACE International – Recommended Practices on Planning & Scheduling