Principles of Project Planning Online Course

This course introduces students to the core principles of project planning and shows them how to apply these practices to real project environments. The focus is on building real capability. By the end of the course, students should not only understand the principles behind modern planning software but also be able to apply those principles confidently in workplace settings.

The course is designed to meet an industry need: many practitioners can operate scheduling software but struggle to build schedules that reflect real project conditions. This programme closes that gap by combining conceptual understanding with hands-on practice.

There are no formal entry requirements. Students do not need prior scheduling or project controls experience, but should be comfortable with computers and new technical concepts.

Students with a technical or project-related background may progress more quickly, while those without may need extra time for practice and resubmissions.

This course focuses on project planning as a discipline, not on software training. Just as an engineer learns engineering principles before using tools like AutoCAD, a project planner must master the logic and reasoning behind schedules before using software such as Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project. Understanding and applying these principles is what makes someone a planner—software alone does not.

The course uses a blend of structured reading, video lessons, quiz’s, and hands-on tasks. Students are expected to apply concepts directly to realistic project scenarios.

Support is provided through email assistance, where students can submit questions and receive direct responses from tutors.

Students also receive personalized feedback on assignments and assessments, with mentors providing guidance based on the individual’s understanding and performance.

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. Explain the role of project planning within project management.
2. Develop a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) for a range of project types.
3. Define and classify project activities using recognised industry standards.
4. Build logical relationships between activities using appropriate sequencing techniques.
5. Estimate realistic activity durations by incorporating resource considerations.
6. Develop a coherent project schedule aligned to PMBOK schedule management processes.
7. Analyse project schedule performance using variance and reporting techniques.
8. Demonstrate competence through both theoretical and practical evaluations.