ICDL Project Planning (ICDL) study plan
ICDL Project Planning · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Project Planning Fundamentals & Scheduling and Critical Path
Define the five project process groups and map each to a concrete planning activity
Identify the three schedule constraints (scope, time, cost) and explain how a change to one affects the others
Compute the critical path for a 10-activity network diagram by hand, including forward and backward pass
Calculate total float for every activity in that network and flag the zero-float activities
Your checkpoint
A one-page reference sheet with the process group map plus a fully worked 10-activity network showing early/late start and finish, total float, and the critical path highlighted
Scheduling and Critical Path & Task Dependencies and Sequencing
Distinguish finish-to-start, start-to-start, finish-to-finish, and start-to-finish relationships with a real example of each
Apply lead and lag values to a dependency chain and recompute the affected dates
Identify near-critical paths and explain why a path with small float still carries schedule risk
Perform a forward and backward pass on a network that includes at least two non-finish-to-start links
Your checkpoint
A worked dependency exercise: a 12-activity network with mixed dependency types, leads and lags, showing recalculated dates and a written note on the near-critical path
Project Scope and Work Breakdown & Estimating Duration and Resources
Decompose a sample project into a three-level work breakdown structure with a unique identifier for every work package
Write a scope statement containing deliverables, exclusions, and acceptance criteria
Select an estimating technique (analogous, parametric, three-point) for four different task types and justify each choice
Compute a PERT expected duration and standard deviation from optimistic, most likely, and pessimistic estimates
Your checkpoint
A complete WBS for a realistic 20-30 task project plus a duration estimate table showing the technique used and PERT calculations for at least five tasks
Scheduling and Critical Path & Estimating Duration and Resources
Build a full schedule from the WBS and dependency network, assigning durations and calendar dates
Crash two critical-path activities and calculate the cost per unit of time saved
Fast-track a dependency chain and identify the added risk it introduces
Explain how resource availability assumptions can invalidate a duration estimate
Your checkpoint
A dated project schedule with critical path identified, plus a one-page compression analysis comparing crashing and fast-tracking options with their cost and risk trade-offs
Resource Allocation and Leveling & Task Dependencies and Sequencing
Assign named resources to every task in the schedule and identify overallocations
Apply resource leveling to resolve overallocations and document the resulting schedule delay
Distinguish resource leveling from resource smoothing and state when each is appropriate
Recompute the critical path after leveling and explain any change in float
Your checkpoint
A before-and-after resource histogram with a written leveling log recording each overallocation, the resolution chosen, and the schedule impact
Project Tracking, Baselines and Progress Reporting & Resource Allocation and Leveling
Establish a baseline from the approved schedule and record baseline start, finish, and duration for every task
Calculate schedule variance and schedule performance index from sample progress data
Apply the percent-complete and remaining-duration update rules to a mid-project status snapshot
Draft a progress report containing status, variance, forecast, and issues
Your checkpoint
A baseline-versus-actual variance report for a sample project with computed schedule variance, schedule performance index, and a forecast completion date
Project Planning Fundamentals & Project Scope and Work Breakdown & Project Tracking, Baselines and Progress Reporting
Trace a scope change through impact analysis, approval, and baseline update
Identify the planning errors that most often cause schedule slippage and describe a preventive control for each
Reconcile a WBS to the schedule to confirm every work package maps to at least one activity
Summarize how earned value, milestone tracking, and percent-complete reporting differ in what they reveal
Your checkpoint
A change control case study: one scope change analyzed end to end, with revised schedule, revised baseline, and a written justification for the approval decision
Scheduling and Critical Path & Project Tracking, Baselines and Progress Reporting & Project Planning Fundamentals
Complete two full-length timed practice exams and score each by domain
Re-derive the critical path and float calculations from memory without reference material
Review every missed question and write the underlying rule it tested
State the key definitions for all seven domains in a self-quiz without notes
Your checkpoint
A scored practice exam log by domain with a written error analysis for every missed item and a final one-page formula and definitions sheet
Milestones
Week 2: Can compute forward pass, backward pass, total float, and critical path on an unseen 12-activity network in under 20 minutes with no notes
Week 4: Can produce a complete WBS-to-schedule chain for a new project scenario and pass a 20-question self-quiz on scope and estimating at 80 percent or better
Week 6: Can resolve a resource overallocation and calculate schedule variance and schedule performance index from raw progress data without reference material
Week 8: Score 80 percent or higher on two timed practice exams, with no domain below 70 percent