Fundamentals of Planning & Scheduling is a beginner-level course designed to introduce construction professionals to the basic concepts, methods, and thinking behind effective project planning and scheduling, based on PMBOK® principles and Philippine construction practice.
The course focuses on understanding before software, covering planning fundamentals, Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) development, and an overview of common scheduling methods such as Gantt charts, Critical Path Method (CPM), and PERT. Participants will apply these concepts through a hands-on workshop to create a simple Gantt schedule using Microsoft Excel.
This course serves as the pre-requisite for advanced scheduling courses such as Primavera P6, MS Project, Excel Scheduling, and Networking/CPM.
At the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Explain the role of planning and scheduling in construction project success.
- Understand the PMBOK® planning and scheduling concepts applicable to infrastructure projects.
- Develop a clear and structured Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) for a construction project.
- Break down work packages into logical and manageable activities.
- Describe the different scheduling methods (Gantt, CPM, PERT, milestone schedules) and identify when to use each.
- Understand basic activity sequencing, duration estimation, and milestone planning
- Read and interpret basic construction schedules and progress information.
- Create a simple Gantt schedule in Microsoft Excel for planning and monitoring purposes.
- Prepare confidently for advanced scheduling tools and courses such as Primavera P6, MS Project, and Excel-based scheduling.
Course Duration: 2 days @ 8 hours per day
Course Outline
DAY 1 – Planning Fundamentals and WBS Development
Module 1: Introduction to Planning and Scheduling
- Difference between planning and scheduling
- Why construction projects fail without proper planning
- Role of planning in DPWH project implementation
- Relationship between scope, time, cost, and quality
Module 2: PMBOK Framework for Planning
- PMBOK principles relevant to planning and scheduling
- Performance Domains: Delivery, Performance, Uncertainty
- Baselines: scope, schedule, and cost
- Progressive elaboration and rolling wave planning
Module 3: Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Development
- What is a WBS and why it is critical
- Deliverable-based vs activity-based WBS
- Levels of WBS for construction projects
- WBS coding and numbering standards
- WBS dictionary and scope definition
Workshop 1:
- Develop a WBS for a sample DPWH project (road/building/flood control)
- Identify work packages and control points
Module 4: From WBS to Activities
- Breaking work packages into activities
- Activity naming and description standards
- Defining start/finish boundaries
- Common beginner mistakes in activity definition
DAY 2 – Scheduling Methods and Basic Control
Module 5: Overview of Scheduling Methods (Conceptual Level)
- Why different scheduling methods exist
- Strengths and limitations of each method
Scheduling Methods Covered:
- Bar Chart / Gantt Chart
- Critical Path Method (CPM)
- Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM)
- PERT (Probabilistic Scheduling)
- Milestone Schedules
- Overview of Critical Chain Method (concept only)
Emphasis: When to use each method in DPWH and construction projects
Module 6: Activity Sequencing and Duration Basics
- Logical sequencing of activities
- Dependencies: FS, SS, FF, SF (intro level)
- Mandatory vs discretionary logic
- Duration estimation basics
- Working calendars and milestones
Module 7: Reading and Understanding a Schedule
- What makes a schedule “good” or “bad”
- Introduction to critical path (no calculations yet)
- Float and schedule flexibility (conceptual)
- Progress measurement basics
- Introduction to S-curve and progress tracking
Module 8: Practical Workshop – Creating a Gantt Schedule in Excel
Hands-On Beginner Workshop
Activities:
- Convert WBS and activities into a simple schedule
- Enter activities, durations, and dates in Excel
- Create a basic Gantt chart using Excel formulas and formatting
- Identify milestones and key control points
- Simulate simple progress update (planned vs actual)
References:
- PMBOK® Guide (7th / 8th Edition)
- DPWH Project Management & Monitoring Guidelines.
AACE International Recommended Practices (Schedule Development & Terminology)
