Global Learning for Operational Leaders
Classroom
14 sessions
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Online / Live
14 sessions
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Introduction
Course overview
Critical chain project management addresses common causes of delay such as padded estimates, multitasking and student syndrome. It uses buffers and resource-aware scheduling to deliver projects faster and more reliably.
This Aractech course covers theory of constraints for projects, critical chain scheduling, aggressive estimates and buffers, buffer management, multi-project environments and implementation. Participants build a critical chain schedule.
What you will achieve
Learning objectives
- Explain causes of project delays
- Apply theory of constraints to projects
- Build critical chain schedules
- Size and manage buffers
- Manage multi-project environments
- Implement critical chain in organisations
Who should attend
Target audience
- Project managers
- Planners and schedulers
- PMO managers
- Programme managers
- Engineering managers
- Operations managers
Methodology
Learning approach
- Simulations
- Scheduling exercises
- Case studies
- Group discussions
- Planning
Complete course outline
Five focused days of learning and application
The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.
Day 1
Why Projects Are Late
- Estimate padding
- Multitasking
- Student syndrome
- Coffee break
- Student syndrome (continued)
- Parkinson's law
- Simulation: Multitasking game
Day 2
Critical Chain Concepts
- Theory of constraints
- Resource dependencies
- Critical chain
- Coffee break
- Critical chain (continued)
- Aggressive estimates
- Exercise: Identifying the chain
Day 3
Buffers
- Project buffer
- Feeding buffers
- Resource buffers
- Coffee break
- Resource buffers (continued)
- Sizing
- Lab: Building a schedule
Day 4
Buffer Management
- Fever charts
- Execution
- Priorities
- Coffee break
- Priorities (continued)
- Reporting
- Case study: Critical chain success
Day 5
Multi-Project and Implementation
- Pipelining
- Portfolio constraints
- Implementation
- Coffee break
- Implementation (continued)
- Culture
- Capstone: Critical chain plan
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What does Critical Chain Project Management (PM-037) cover?
This course covers Project Management through a structured five-day outline focused on practical application, discussion, and implementation planning.
When is the next available session?
The next scheduled session starts on 9 - 13 November 2026. See the course schedules section for the available dates and delivery formats.
Who should attend this course?
Project managers, Planners and schedulers, PMO managers
Is bilingual course delivery available?
Yes. All course materials and presentations are provided in English, while bilingual explanation and discussion support may be available depending on the selected location and trainer availability. For example, when attending a course in Istanbul, you may request a Turkish-speaking trainer to explain the English course content in Turkish. Arabic explanation support may also be requested at this location. Other languages are available in selected cities. You can choose your preferred language support as an optional preference during registration.
How can I register for a session?
Use any Register button next to the available course dates to open the participant registration page and submit your booking request for the selected session.
Is this course available online as well as classroom-based?
Check the course schedules section for currently published classroom and Online / Live sessions.
Where are classroom sessions delivered?
Current classroom venues include Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, London, Istanbul, Vienna, Barcelona, Cape Town.
How long is the training programme?
The programme runs for five days from 09:00 to 14:00, which gives 25 contact hours, including a daily 30-minute break (22.5 hours of instruction).
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