Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/estimacion-tiempos-costos
As part of the specialized program in Engineering Complex Project Management offered by the Universidad de los Andes on Coursera, the course ‘Estimación de la línea base de tiempos y costos’ (Estimating Time and Cost Baselines) is a crucial step for any aspiring or seasoned project manager. This third course in the specialization, led by Andrés Felipe Gómez, focuses on the critical final stages of project planning: establishing robust time and cost baselines.
The course begins with a strong introduction, emphasizing why accurate estimation is paramount. It highlights how these estimates directly influence the project’s scope, duration, and budget, ultimately integrating into the three core project baselines: scope, time, and cost. The importance of this foundational step cannot be overstated, as it sets the stage for successful project execution.
Module one, ‘La complejidad en la estimación’ (Complexity in Estimation), dives into the practical realities of estimation by presenting three selected case studies. These examples effectively illustrate why correct estimation is necessary and how it impacts subsequent planning and execution phases. This module is excellent for understanding the real-world implications of estimation accuracy.
‘De la planeación a la línea base’ (From Planning to Baseline) serves as a vital refresher, reviewing the project approval process. It revisits key documents like the business case and charter, leading up to the project management plan and the crucial project baselines contained within it. This module reinforces the structured approach required for project approval.
Module three, ‘La estimación en la práctica’ (Estimation in Practice), gets down to the nitty-gritty of estimation techniques. It explores various estimation methods, their applicability under different circumstances, and, importantly, how to improve estimation accuracy. This practical approach is highly valuable for developing practical skills.
The course then transitions into the core development of the project baseline. ‘De la EDT al cronograma’ (From WBS to Schedule) focuses on defining scope through the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) as the starting point for schedule development. Following this, ‘Análisis del cronograma’ (Schedule Analysis) addresses the common need to adjust initial timelines by exploring schedule compression techniques, ensuring stakeholder satisfaction.
‘Curva S’ (S-Curve) tackles the critical aspect of budgeting. It explains how to determine the project budget and construct the ‘S-curve’ for effective tracking and control of project finances. This is an essential tool for financial management in projects.
Finally, the course culminates with ‘Desarrollo de la línea base para un caso aplicado’ (Developing the Baseline for an Applied Case). This module allows learners to apply all the concepts and techniques learned throughout the course to a pre-designed case study, solidifying their understanding and practical application.
Overall, ‘Estimación de la línea base de tiempos y costos’ is an exceptionally well-structured and practical course. It provides a comprehensive understanding of how to accurately estimate and establish project timelines and costs, equipping project managers with the essential skills to create reliable project baselines. I highly recommend this course to anyone involved in project management, particularly within engineering and complex projects.
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/estimacion-tiempos-costos