ICDL Project Planning (ICDL) study plan

Map each of the five process groups to a phase of the project life cycle and name the decision gate that closes each phase

Distinguish project, program and portfolio work by writing three original examples of each and stating the boundary test used

Decompose a small sample project (office relocation) into 15 activities and draw them as a precedence diagram

Label all four dependency types (finish-to-start, start-to-start, finish-to-finish, start-to-finish) on that diagram and justify the two leads or lags you introduce

Perform forward and backward passes on the 15-activity network to derive early and late start and finish dates for every activity

Identify the critical path and compute both total float and free float for each activity

Compress the schedule by three days using crashing and fast-tracking, recording the cost or risk trade-off for each option considered

Level the resource histogram so two over-allocated roles sit within their stated capacity

Apply analogous, parametric, bottom-up and three-point estimating to the same work package and tabulate how far the four results diverge

Calculate a PERT weighted estimate and state the conditions under which it beats a simple average

Build a time-phased cost baseline that keeps a 10% contingency reserve separate from management reserve

Plot a cumulative S-curve and mark the funding limit and the point at which the reserve is released

Score ten project risks on probability and impact with a 5x5 matrix and rank them by exposure

Compute expected monetary value for each risk and derive the total contingency reserve the scores imply

Select a response strategy (avoid, mitigate, transfer, accept, escalate) for every risk and assign an owner and a trigger condition

Separate risks from issues and describe the escalation path each follows

Write a scope statement covering in-scope work, explicit exclusions, assumptions, constraints and acceptance criteria

Build a three-level work breakdown structure that passes the 100% rule and assign an accountable owner to each work package

Analyse twelve stakeholders on a power/interest grid and plan a distinct engagement approach for each quadrant

Define three measurable acceptance criteria and name the verification method for each

Compute planned value, earned value, actual cost, schedule variance, cost variance, SPI and CPI from a six-period dataset

Interpret each index in plain language and forecast estimate at completion using two different formulas

Set variance thresholds that trigger escalation and draft the matching change request for one breach

Produce a one-page status report with a RAG rating and a forecast-to-complete statement

Run a stage-gate review and record formal acceptance sign-off against each deliverable

Write a closure checklist covering contract close, resource release, records archive and handover

Facilitate a lessons-learned session and convert three findings into specific process changes with owners

Re-test domain 1 concepts (life cycle, roles, governance) and correct the errors carried over from week 1

Complete two full-length timed mock exams under exam conditions without notes

Log every incorrect answer with the underlying concept and a one-line correction rule

Re-study the three weakest areas named by the error log, rebuilding one worked example for each

Recite the PERT, EMV, float and earned value formulas from memory and check them against a reference