Effective project scheduling is critical to the successful delivery of complex Defence projects and digital transformation initiatives. Therefore, Defence Digital Group (DDG) partnered with Certitude Australia to design and deliver a tailored project scheduling training program that combined scheduling best practice with practical application using Microsoft Project.

Unlike traditional software training, the program was designed to build genuine scheduling capability.  As a result, participants learned not only how to use Microsoft Project, but also how to develop, maintain and manage high-quality project schedules within a Defence project delivery environment.

The engagement included both a Project Scheduling Foundations course and an Advanced Scheduling and Risk course, providing a structured capability development pathway for project managers, schedulers and delivery teams.

The Challenge

Defence projects operate in highly complex environments where schedules support planning, governance, resource management and executive decision-making. Consequently, project professionals require strong scheduling and project controls capability. While many project professionals have access to scheduling tools, developing reliable and meaningful schedules requires a strong understanding of scheduling principles, project controls and risk management techniques.

Defence Digital Group identified a need to strengthen scheduling competency across its workforce.   Furthermore, the organisation wanted practical training that participants could immediately apply within Defence projects and programs.  The training needed to be practical, scalable and directly applicable to Defence projects and programs.

Importantly, DDG required a solution that moved beyond generic software instruction and focused on the development of real-world scheduling capability.

The Solution

Certitude designed a customised Defence scheduling training program built around two complementary courses.

Project Scheduling Foundations Using Microsoft Project

The foundation program combined project scheduling theory with hands-on application in Microsoft Project. Participants learned how to develop structured project schedules while gaining an understanding of core project controls concepts.

 Topics included:

• Project management fundamentals and the scheduling lifecycle.
• Work Breakdown Structures (WBS).
• Activity definition and duration estimation.
• Critical path analysis and float management.
• Resource planning and scheduling.
• Baselines, schedule maintenance and progress tracking.
• Practical use of Microsoft Project within project environments.

The course used practical exercises and Defence-focused scenarios to reinforce learning and support workplace application.

Advanced Scheduling and Risk

The advanced program was developed for experienced project professionals responsible for managing complex schedules and reporting requirements.

Building on the foundation course, participants explored:

• Schedule risk management methodologies.
• Qualitative and quantitative risk analysis.
• Schedule risk integration.
• Earned Value Management (EVM).
• Agile scheduling approaches.
• Resource optimisation and levelling.
• Custom reporting and calculated fields.
• Development of Integrated Master Schedules (IMS).
• Consolidation of multiple schedules into master schedules using Microsoft Project.

The advanced course concluded with practical case study exercises that enabled participants to apply the concepts within realistic project scenarios.

The Outcomes

By partnering with Certitude, Defence Digital Group gained access to a tailored project scheduling training solution aligned to the realities of Defence project delivery rather than generic off-the-shelf software training.

Key outcomes included:

• Improved project scheduling capability across project delivery teams.
• Greater understanding of scheduling best practice and project controls principles.
• Enhanced capability in Microsoft Project scheduling and reporting.
• Increased awareness of schedule risk management techniques.
• Strengthened capability in Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) development and management.
• Practical skills that could be immediately applied within Defence project environments.

The result was a structured capability development pathway that supported both developing schedulers and experienced project professionals responsible for managing complex Defence project schedules.

Building Scheduling Capability for Complex Projects

Certitude Australia is a leading provider of project scheduling training, Microsoft Project training, project controls training and Defence capability development services. We specialise in designing customised learning solutions that combine industry best practice with practical workplace application.

Whether supporting government agencies, Defence organisations or major infrastructure programs, Certitude helps project professionals build the scheduling, planning and project controls capabilities needed to successfully deliver complex projects and programs.

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