Subject Overview

An advanced study of project network modelling and the Critical Path Method (CPM), covering schedule design, calculation, optimization, control and managerial decision-making. The subject integrates traditional techniques with uncertainty analysis, resource constraints, digital scheduling platforms, governance and emerging AI-enabled practices.

Learning Goal

Students will be able to construct, validate, analyse, optimize and govern project network schedules; interpret critical paths and schedule risk; make defensible time–cost–resource decisions; and apply contemporary software and analytics to complex projects.

Syllabus

1. Foundations of Project Network Scheduling

Learning Objective: Explain the purpose, evolution and limitations of network scheduling; distinguish projects, activities, events, milestones, deliverables, work packages and schedules; and relate CPM to the project life cycle, WBS and schedule management plan.

Category: foundation

2. Activity Definition, Sequencing and Data Preparation

Learning Objective: Transform scope and WBS information into measurable activities; establish coding structures, assumptions, duration bases, milestones and dependency registers; and apply rolling-wave planning and schedule decomposition.

Category: foundation

3. Network Models, Notation and Dependency Logic

Learning Objective: Compare Activity-on-Node/Precedence Diagramming Method and Activity-on-Arrow models; apply finish-to-start, start-to-start, finish-to-finish and start-to-finish relationships, including leads, lags and dummy activities.

Category: core

4. Network Construction and Logic Validation

Learning Objective: Build coherent project networks, assign unique identifiers, identify merge and burst points, detect open ends, loops, redundant logic and inappropriate constraints, and perform formal schedule logic checks.

Category: core

5. Critical Path Method Calculations

Learning Objective: Perform forward and backward passes to calculate early start, early finish, late start and late finish dates; identify critical and near-critical paths; and interpret project completion duration.

Category: core

6. Float, Criticality and Schedule Sensitivity

Learning Objective: Calculate and interpret total, free, independent and interfering float; analyse multiple critical paths, path convergence, negative float and critical-path sensitivity; and avoid treating float as an unrestricted resource.

Category: core

7. Calendars, Constraints and Schedule Quality

Learning Objective: Incorporate working calendars, shifts, holidays, deadlines, imposed dates and external interfaces; evaluate hard and soft constraints; and assess schedule quality using recognized professional diagnostics and industry expectations.

Category: application

8. Duration Estimation, PERT and Schedule Uncertainty

Learning Objective: Apply analogous, parametric, bottom-up and three-point estimation; use PERT expected durations and variance; evaluate completion probabilities; and assess uncertainty through Monte Carlo simulation, criticality indices and confidence levels.

Category: advanced

9. Time–Cost Trade-Off and Schedule Optimization

Learning Objective: Calculate normal and crash slopes, optimize project duration and cost, assess acceleration alternatives, and make managerial decisions concerning crashing, fast tracking, overtime, subcontracting and risk exposure.

Category: advanced

10. Resource-Constrained Scheduling and Critical Chain

Learning Objective: Analyse resource loading, allocation, levelling and smoothing; distinguish resource-critical from logic-critical schedules; apply heuristic prioritization and Critical Chain concepts, including project, feeding and resource buffers.

Category: advanced

11. Schedule Baselines, Updating and Performance Control

Learning Objective: Establish and maintain approved baselines; status activities using actual and remaining data; analyse variance, slippage and forecast dates; integrate CPM with earned value and earned schedule; and manage recovery schedules and change control.

Category: application

12. Delay Analysis, Claims and Forensic Scheduling

Learning Objective: Evaluate delays, disruption, concurrency and responsibility using as-planned versus as-built, windows and time-impact methods; preserve schedule evidence; and support extensions of time, claims negotiation and dispute resolution.

Category: strategic

13. Digital Scheduling Technology, Analytics and AI

Learning Objective: Use enterprise scheduling and project information systems for network modelling, baselines, dashboards and scenario analysis; understand data integration with BIM and digital twins; and critically apply AI for estimation, risk prediction, anomaly detection and schedule optimization.

Category: contemporary

14. Governance, Ethics and Managerial Communication

Learning Objective: Establish schedule ownership, approval rights, audit trails and reporting controls; communicate critical-path information to stakeholders; address optimism bias, manipulated logic, hidden contingency and misleading progress; and align schedules with contracts, assurance and organizational governance.

Category: strategic

15. Integrated Strategy, Hybrid Delivery and Emerging Practice

Learning Objective: Analyse complex cases combining scope, time, cost, resources and risk; adapt network scheduling to predictive, agile and hybrid environments; and evaluate emerging developments such as autonomous scheduling, real-time progress capture, probabilistic digital twins and human–AI decision governance.

Category: contemporary