Fundamentals of Construction Planning and CPM Scheduling

Managing a construction project requires precise timing, resource allocation, and risk management to avoid costly delays. Understanding how to structure, schedule, and control these complex projects is a vital skill for any aspiring construction manager or civil engineer. This text-based course guides you from the fundamental definitions of project management to advanced scheduling techniques. You will learn how to break down projects, analyze timelines, and make data-driven decisions to keep construction projects on track and within budget. What you'll learn: Understand foundational construction planning concepts, project life cycles, and organizational structures; Master the Critical Path Method (CPM) to identify key project constraints and scheduling dependencies; Apply Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) to estimate project timelines under uncertainty; Calculate float, slack, and early/late event times using step-by-step mathematical techniques; Optimize resource allocation and practice basic cost-time trade-off calculations; Explore modern digital collaboration tools and agile methodologies adapted for the construction industry. Starting with core terminology and project structures, the text guides you through manual network diagramming before introducing resource leveling and modern scheduling workflows. Designed for beginners, civil engineering students, and entry-level project coordinators, this course requires no prior experience in construction management. Start reading today to build a solid foundation in construction scheduling and project control.