Advanced Planning and Scheduling Free Course

Build a practical introduction to planning, scheduling and schedule control with this free online course from Oxford Home Study Centre. The programme is designed for learners who want to understand how work can be broken down, sequenced, resourced, monitored and adjusted around clear objectives and realistic time constraints.

The course is studied online at your own pace and is currently listed with a recommended duration of 25 hours. There are no formal entry requirements. If you want to compare other subjects before enrolling, browse the complete OHSC course catalogue, the wider online management course collection or OHSC's project management programmes.

What Is Advanced Planning and Scheduling?

Planning establishes what needs to be achieved, which activities are required and how available resources will be used. Scheduling turns that plan into a time-based sequence by identifying task order, dependencies, milestones, constraints and target dates. More advanced planning and scheduling also requires regular monitoring so that changes in priorities, resources, risk or performance can be reflected in the working schedule.

This course introduces that progression from basic work planning to more structured scheduling techniques. You will examine how Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), resource allocation, Critical Path Method (CPM), milestone planning, risk assessment, progress monitoring and stakeholder reporting can support clearer control of project and operational work.

Who Is This Course For?

The course may suit beginners who want a focused introduction to planning and scheduling, as well as employees who already coordinate tasks, deadlines or resources and want to organise that work more systematically. Relevant contexts can include project support, operations, administration, supervision, team coordination and small-business planning.

This is an educational short course rather than a professional licence or regulated qualification. It does not confer project-manager status or replace experience, employer requirements or professional certifications that may be needed for a particular role.

If you are looking for a broader beginner introduction to the project lifecycle rather than a specialist planning-and-scheduling course, compare the separate free Project Management Short Course. You can also compare the full collection of free project management courses.

Continue Your Learning

Planning and scheduling connect closely with wider project and management practice. For a technique-focused reading resource, see OHSC's guide to the Program Evaluation Review Technique (PERT). If your interest is broader strategic direction rather than schedule control, the Strategic Planning Short Course covers a different planning purpose and should be treated as a separate learning route.

You can also explore OHSC's wider free online course collection for other short, self-paced subjects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this course free to study?

Yes. The course learning route is free to study online. Optional certificates are separate paid products available after successful completion.

Is this the same as the free Project Management Short Course?

No. This course focuses specifically on planning and scheduling techniques, including WBS, CPM, milestones, resources, risk and schedule monitoring. The Project Management Short Course is a broader 20-hour introduction to project management, the project manager's role and the project life cycle.

Does this course teach Primavera P6 or another specific scheduling platform?

The published syllabus introduces digital planning and scheduling tools as a topic, but it does not identify the course as product-specific training for Primavera P6 or another named platform.

Will this course qualify me as a project manager or planner?

No. It is a short online learning programme and does not by itself confer professional status, registration or a licence. Requirements vary by employer, role and jurisdiction.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, you should be able to:

explain the relationship between planning, scheduling and organisational or project objectives;
develop structured work plans and organise activities around priorities, resources and practical deadlines;
describe and apply core principles behind WBS, milestone planning and Critical Path Method;
identify scheduling risks and constraints that may affect delivery;
monitor progress and adjust schedules when circumstances or priorities change; and
use performance information and stakeholder communication to support ongoing schedule review.

Free Study and Optional Certification

You can enrol, access the learning materials and complete this course without paying a course fee. Certification is optional and is not included automatically with free study.

After successfully completing the course, you can choose to purchase one of two certificate options:

QLS-endorsed certificate — a Certificate of Achievement endorsed by the Quality Licence Scheme.
CPD-accredited certificate — issued by the CPD Standards Office as a record of your continuing professional development.

Each certificate type has its own pricing structure. The amount payable may depend on the certificate selected, course level, format and delivery option. Please check our certificate options and current prices before ordering.

Purchasing a certificate is entirely optional. You do not need to buy one to access the course materials or complete your studies.

Course Content

Topics Covered in the Course

Course Content

Module 1: Planning and Scheduling Fundamentals

Begin with the principles of planning and scheduling, including goal setting, priorities, project objectives, work-plan development and time allocation. The module also considers common planning difficulties and practical ways to make schedules clearer and more workable.

Introduction to Planning and Scheduling
Setting Goals, Priorities and Project Objectives
Developing Effective Work Plans
Scheduling Techniques and Time Allocation
Common Planning Challenges and Best Practices

Module 2: Professional Planning and Scheduling Techniques

Move into structured methods for organising project work. You will examine Work Breakdown Structures, resource planning, task dependencies, Critical Path Method, milestone planning, risk and the monitoring of schedule performance.

Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) and Task Planning
Resource Planning and Allocation
Critical Path Method (CPM) and Milestone Planning
Risk Assessment and Schedule Management
Monitoring Progress and Schedule Adjustments

Module 3: Advanced Planning and Scheduling Strategies

The final module considers planning and scheduling in more complex settings. It introduces digital planning tools, performance measurement, schedule optimisation, stakeholder reporting and continuous improvement so that learners can see how a schedule is maintained rather than treated as a one-off document.

Strategic Planning for Complex Projects
Digital Planning and Scheduling Tools
Performance Measurement and Schedule Optimisation
Stakeholder Communication and Reporting
Building a Continuous Planning and Improvement Culture

How It Works

Build your knowledge through clear and accessible online learning.

Complete the assignments and achieve the required marks.

Choose an optional certificate after completing the course.

Why Choose a Certificate?

An optional certificate provides a clear record of successful course completion. Add it to your learning portfolio and share it where relevant.

Completing the course and its assessments shows your commitment to developing subject knowledge through focused, independent learning.

Use your new knowledge to support further study, workplace development or personal goals. A certificate records completion but does not guarantee employment or professional status.