Planning and Scheduling Professional (PSP) Exam Preparation Course - AACEI-USA
Certification Body: Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering International (AACE International)
Training Hours: 40 Hours
About
The Planning & Scheduling Professional (PSP) Certification Preparation Course is designed to equip professionals with the advanced skills and knowledge required to excel in planning and scheduling within project management. This comprehensive course covers all aspects necessary for achieving the PSP certification, demonstrating a professional’s advanced competence in planning, scheduling, project controls, and project management. The PSP certification is globally recognized and showcases an individual’s ability to effectively manage projects timelines, resources, and budget constraints.
Target Audience
- Project Managers
- Project Schedulers
- Planning Engineers
- Project Controls Professionals
- Construction Managers
- Anyone aspiring to enhance their career in project management and scheduling.
Eligibility
- Minimum 4 years of experience in project planning, scheduling, and controls, OR
- A 4-year degree (bachelor’s or global equivalent) plus a minimum of 3 years of experience in project planning, scheduling, and controls.
- Agreement to adhere to the AACE International Canons of Ethics.
- Agreement to comply with the continuing certification requirements.
Course Content
Introduction to PSP Certification
- Overview of AACE International and the importance of PSP certification.
- Benefits of becoming a PSP for career growth and professional recognition.
- Overview of the certification process, exam format, and key dates.
Foundations of Project Planning
- Introduction to project management and the role of planning and scheduling.
- Understanding project objectives, scope, and constraints.
- Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) development and its importance in planning.
Scheduling Techniques
- In-depth exploration of scheduling techniques including Critical Path Method (CPM) for determining project duration and identifying critical activities.
- Introduction to Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) for dealing with uncertainty in project schedules.
- Techniques for resource allocation, levelling, and optimization to manage constraints and maximize efficiency.
Project Controls
- Principles of project controls and their application in monitoring and controlling project schedule and cost.
- Cost estimating and budgeting fundamentals to support effective project controls.
- Introduction to risk management processes and strategies for identifying, analysing, and responding to project risks.
Advanced Scheduling Concepts
- Managing complex project schedules, including handling multiple projects and integrating inter-project dependencies.
- Advanced techniques in schedule compression, scenario analysis, and recovery planning to keep projects on track.
- Strategies for effective communication and stakeholder management through scheduling.
Earned Value Management (EVM)
- Comprehensive coverage of EVM principles and their application in integrating project scope, schedule, and cost control.
- Calculating and interpreting key EVM metrics (CV, SV, CPI, SPI) to assess project performance and forecast outcomes.
- Practical exercises and case studies to apply EVM techniques in real-world scenarios.
Software Tools for Planning and Scheduling
- Overview of popular project management and scheduling software tools (e.g., Microsoft Project, Primavera P6).
- Hands-on exercises to build schedules, allocate resources, and track project performance using software tools.
- Best practices in software tool selection and implementation for project scheduling and controls.
Ethics and Professional Practice
- Detailed discussion on AACE International's Canons of Ethics and the importance of ethical practice in project management.
- Case studies on ethical dilemmas in project planning and scheduling.
- Preparing for the ethical considerations section of the PSP exam.
PSP Exam Preparation
- Detailed overview of the PSP exam structure, including types of questions and scoring criteria.
- Effective study strategies and tips for exam preparation.
- Practice exams and review sessions to build confidence and identify areas for further study.
Capstone Project
- A practical project that requires participants to apply the concepts learned to plan, schedule, and control a real or simulated project.
- Peer and instructor review of capstone projects to provide feedback and insights.
- Discussion on lessons learned and how to apply knowledge and skills in professional settings.
