About this course: Learners will discover the key project scheduling techniques and procedures including; how to create a network diagram, how to define the importance of the critical path in a project network, and defining project activities float. Also covered are the fundamentals of Bar Charts, Precedence Diagrams, Activity on Arrow, PERT, Range Estimating, and linear project operations and the line of balance.
Who is this class for: This course is very well suited for practitioners in the construction industry, and those looking to gain entry into the field.
Created by: Columbia University
Taught by: Ibrahim Odeh, Ph.D., MBA, Instructor, Department of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, Columbia University
Director of Research and Founder, Global Leaders in Construction Management
| Basic Info | Course 2 of 4 in the Construction Management Specialization |
| Level | Beginner |
| Commitment | This course is rigorous and learners are expected to dedicate 5 weeks of study, 3-5 hours/week. |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Introduction to Construction Scheduling
The first module provides an overview of the Construction Scheduling course and the topics that will be covered. Learners will discover the relationships connecting construction activities, how to perform scheduling procedures, how to determine critical path and more. Professor Odeh will describe the differences between calendar dates and work dates and teach how to deal with uncertainty in construction projects.
1 video, 1 reading
- Reading: Course Survey
- Video: Construction Scheduling Course Overview
Bar (Gantt) Charts
The second module introduces bar or Gantt charts and how they are used as scheduling tools. Bar charts represent a project work item or activity as a time scaled bar; the length of which represents the planned duration of a construction activity.
3 videos
- Video: Introducing Bar (Gantt) Charts
- Video: Using Bar (Gantt) Charts
- Video: Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Bar (Gantt) Charts
- Discussion Prompt: Discussion on Gantt charts
Graded: Quiz on Gantt Chart
Activity Precedence Diagrams
In this module, learners will create Activity Precedence Diagrams, also referred to as Activity on Node Diagrams, which graphically represent the construction activities in a project and their relationships.
3 videos
- Video: Introduction to Activity Precedence Diagrams
- Video: Recommendations for Building AON Diagrams
- Video: Examples of Activity Precedence (AON) Diagrams
- Discussion Prompt: Discussion on AON diagrams
Types of Construction Activity Relationships
This module provides an overview of the types of construction activity relationships encountered in a construction project and how to represent them in an activity precedence diagram.
5 videos
- Video: Activities in a Construction Project
- Video: Types of Relationships between Construction Activities
- Video: Start to Start Relationships
- Video: Finish to Finish Relationships
- Video: Multiple Relationships
- Discussion Prompt: Discussion on activity relationships
Graded: Quiz on Activity Relationships
Forward and Backward Pass Calculations
Forward and Backward Pass Calculations are covered in this module. Forward Pass Calculations determine the minimum dates at which each construction activity can be performed and, ultimately, the minimum duration of a construction project. Backward Pass Calculations compute the latest dates by which each construction activity can be performed without increasing the projects minimum duration.
4 videos
- Video: Forward Pass Calculations
- Video: Backward Pass Calculations
- Video: Example 1: Activity On Node Diagram
- Video: Example 2: AON and Forward/Backward Pass Calculations
Graded: Quiz on Activity Precedence Diagrams, Activity Relationships and Forward/Backward Passes
WEEK 2
Critical Path
Professor Odeh discusses the importance of critical path in this module including what it is and why it is important. Learners will identify a critical path in a project and how to determine a critical path in different relationships.
6 videos
- Video: Introduction to Critical Path
- Video: Critical Path in a Project Schedule
- Video: Determining the Number of Critical Paths in a Project
- Video: Imposing Lag Durations in Critical Path
- Video: Determining Critical Path in a Start to Start Relationship
- Video: Determining Critical Path in a Finish to Finish Relationship
- Discussion Prompt: Discussion on CPM
Graded: Critical Path Method
Activity Floats
Professor Odeh introduces the types of floats in a construction project including; total float, free float, interfering float and independent float.
5 videos
- Video: Types of Floats in a Construction Project
- Video: Activity Floats
- Video: Determining Total Float and Free Float
- Video: Introduction to the Interfering Float
- Video: Independent Float
- Discussion Prompt: Discussion on activity floats
Understanding Work Dates and Calendar Dates
In this module, the difference between working dates and calendar dates is explained and how to chart both in a project plan.
3 videos
- Video: Understanding Work Days and Calendar Days
- Video: The Relationship between Calendar Days and Work Days
- Video: Charting Work Dates and Calendar Dates
Graded: Quiz on Floats and Work-Calendar days
WEEK 3
Activity on Arrow
Activity on Arrow diagrams are the topic for this module. Professor Odeh will discuss how to draw an activity on arrow diagram and how to number the nodes. Forward and Backward Pass calculations and determining the duration of a project are also covered.
8 videos
- Video: Introduction to Activity on Arrow
- Video: Drawing an Activity on Arrow Diagram
- Video: Numbering Nodes on a Diagram
- Video: Practice Drawing Activity on Arrow Diagrams
- Video: Advanced Activity Diagrams
- Video: Adding a Key to An Activity on Arrow Diagram
- Video: Backward Pass Calculations
- Video: Determining the Duration of a Project
- Discussion Prompt: Discussion on AOA
Graded: Quiz on Activity on Arrow
Graded: Activity Diagram and Critical Path
Program Evaluation & Review Technique (PERT) and Range Estimating
The Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) is introduced in this module which relates to uncertainty in estimating the duration of construction activities in a project schedule. PERT helps project managers determine the probability of a project being completed in a certain number of days.
6 videos
- Video: Program Evaluation and Review Technique
- Video: Probability of Completing a Project: Normal Distribution
- Video: PERT Probability Example
- Video: PERT Example on Completing a Project
- Video: PERT Calculations: Critical Activities
- Video: Applying PERT: Range Estimating
- Discussion Prompt: Discussion on PERT
The Role of the Scheduler in Construction Management
Jennifer Buermann, of the STV Group, discusses the role of the scheduler in a construction project and how to determine if a project is on track to meet the estimated goals. Also covered are ways to adjust to ensure the project stays on track.
3 videos
- Video: The Role of the Scheduler in Construction Projects
- Video: Insuring a Project Stays on Track
- Video: Keeping Accurate Records of Project Progress
- Discussion Prompt: Discussion on the scheduler role in construction project
Graded: Quiz on PERT and Role of Scheduler
WEEK 4
Linear Construction Operations and Line of Balance
Professor Odeh introduces linear construction; projects that have linear, or repetitive, properties. Also covered is the Line of Balance scheduling method which is a way of allocating resources for repetitive processes.
5 videos
- Video: Linear Construction Overview and Examples
- Video: Line of Balance (LOB)
- Video: LOB Diagram
- Video: LOB Example: Develop a Schedule
- Video: Visualizing LOB
Graded: Quiz on Line of Balance
Graded: Line of Balance Diagram
Technology Applications for Scheduling
Dareen Salama, of the STV Group, discusses the technology applications used for scheduling. Dareen provides an overview of the applications used for scheduling development, schedule analysis, sharing and collaboration and visualization.
12 videos
- Video: Technology Applications: Getting Started
- Video: Software Applications Overview
- Video: MS Project Scheduling Overview
- Video: MS Project: A Deeper Dive
- Video: Primavera P6 Overview
- Video: Primavera P6 Critical Path
- Video: Primavera P6: Gantt Chart
- Video: Primavera P6 Importing Activities and Running Schedule
- Video: Schedule Analysis and Applications
- Video: Schedule Application: Custom Tools
- Video: Building Information Management (BIM) Tools
- Video: Integration of the Model and Schedule Tools
- Discussion Prompt: Discussion technology applications
Graded: Quiz on Technology Applications
WEEK 5
Scheduling for Large Programs
Christopher Toomey, Senior Vice President of AECOM Global Programs, discussed scheduling for large programs also known as the Integrated Master Scheduler. Mr. Toomey illustrates how to develop and maintain the Integrated Master Schedule and identifies key features.
3 videos
- Video: Scheduling for Large Programs 1
- Video: Scheduling for Large Programs 2
- Video: Scheduling for Large Programs 3
- Discussion Prompt: Discussion on scheduling large programs
Risk Allocation and Planning
Dr. Eduardo Gamez, Deputy Director of Risk Management for AECOM, introduces Risk Allocation and Planning. Dr. Gamez discusses the importance of formal risk management and how to use risk assessment as a support tool for planning and scheduling.
6 videos
- Video: Risk Allocation and Planning for Scheduling Overview
- Video: Risk Allocation: Defining Success
- Video: Risk Allocation Analysis
- Video: Sample Risk Profiles
- Video: Risk Assessment
- Video: Risk Allocation: Schedule and Concluding Remarks
Lean Design in Construction Scheduling
Sam Spata, of MethodLean, discusses lean design and lean scheduling. The concept of Flow is introduced, the process of how to get from the beginning to the end of a project, as a measurable addition of value.
4 videos
- Video: Lean: Time and Schedule
- Video: Lean: Flow
- Video: Lean Design and Lean Scheduling
- Video: Lean Scheduling and Planning
- Discussion Prompt: Discussion on LEAN
Graded: Quiz on Large programs, Risk and Lean
FAQs
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Pricing
| Purchase Course | Audit | |
|---|---|---|
| Access to course materials | Available | Available |
| Access to graded materials | Available | Not available |
| Receive a final grade | Available | Not available |
| Earn a shareable Course Certificate | Available | Not available |
Ratings and Reviews
Very good course
Excelente curso para conocer las bases teóricas de la programación en la construcción.
Good information, but some errors in one of the quizzes.
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Great introductory course for non civil engineers or architects that want to get involved in the industry