Effective Planning and Scheduling for Projects and Operations Management

Course Overview
This hands-on training equips professionals with practical skills to effectively plan, prioritise, and schedule projects and operational activities. It provides a structured approach to ensure that resources, time, and effort are aligned to business goals. Participants will learn proven techniques for work breakdown, task sequencing, resource allocation, and risk handling, enabling them to meet deadlines, reduce waste, and drive efficiency across both project and routine operations.

Learning Objectives:
Understand the principles of planning and scheduling in project and operations contexts.
Break down complex tasks into manageable components.
Use practical scheduling tools (Gantt charts, network diagrams, calendars) for visibility and control.
Allocate resources effectively and handle constraints.
Anticipate risks, delays, and bottlenecks—and develop mitigation strategies.
Improve communication, coordination, and accountability in teams.
Monitor progress and adjust schedules to ensure timely delivery.

Training Content

DAY 1 – Planning Fundamentals for Projects and Operations
Session 1: What effective planning looks like in projects vs. operations
Session 2: Why planning fails: common pitfalls and how to avoid them
Session 3: Key elements of an actionable plan (scope, time, resources, risk)
Session 4: Role clarity and stakeholder involvement in planning

DAY 2 – Risk and Contingency Planning
Session 9: Identifying risks during planning (financial, operational, human)
Session 10: Creating buffers and contingency plans
Session11: Using risk matrices and impact/probability analysis
Session 12: Planning for unknowns: agility and rolling-wave planning