Introduction
This course equips new and aspiring project managers with the essential tools and techniques to successfully deliver small to medium-sized construction projects. Participants will work through the entire project lifecycle—from initial proposal, planning, and execution to completion and close-out—gaining practical skills to implement structured project management processes. The program is Gold Seal accredited by the Canadian Construction Association.
Course Objectives
By the end of this program, participants will be able to:
- Apply modern project management terminology and processes.
- Understand key clauses of CCDC2 contracts and their implications.
- Identify project management responsibilities from start to close.
- Develop a complete project plan for a small construction project.
- Learn from practical experiences and PM “lessons learned.”
- Appreciate the value of a consistent project management methodology.
Target Audience
- Construction contractors and employees of contracting organizations
- Individuals responsible for managing small to medium construction projects
- Project team members with limited prior exposure to project management
- Aspiring project managers seeking practical PM skills
Course Outline – 5 Days
Day 1 – Introduction to Project Management
- Definition of modern project management
- PM certifications overview
- Skills required in project management
- Basic project concepts: what is a project, success factors, causes of project failure
Day 2 – Project Life Cycle & Planning
- Owner’s and contractor’s project life cycle
- Project milestones and fast-tracking
- Introduction to project workshop scenario
- Responding to a bid
- Construction planning and scope definition
- Workshop: Define project scope
Day 3 – Work Breakdown Structure & Risk Management
- WBS definition and approach
- Elements of an effective WBS
- Workshop: Develop project WBS
- Identifying subcontracts and evaluating project budget
- Risk management process and techniques
- Workshop: Identify and analyze project risks
- Assigning risk response and budget contingencies
Day 4 – Contracts & Project Organization
- Contract types and CCDC2
- Liquidated damages and subcontracts
- Organizing the project team: Owner’s matrix vs. contractor’s projectized structure
- Assigning responsibilities and single point of contact
- Workshop: Structuring the project team
- Project plan elements: change management, administration, daily log, and safety planning
Day 5 – Scheduling, Implementation & Close-Out
- Project scheduling: logic diagram, critical path, dependencies, Gantt chart
- Workshop: Yellow sticky exercise and resource histogram
- Setting schedule performance baselines
- Project implementation: status updates, performance reporting, change control
- Introduction to earned value management (EVM)
- Commissioning, start-up, substantial/total completion
- Lessons learned, file archiving, and modern PM integration
- Quiz and wrap-up
