Cost Estimating Tools & Techniques

Course Description: This online course provides an overview of the key principles and practices of cost estimating. It covers the fundamentals of creating an accurate budget, including how to identify resources, assess risks and create a comprehensive plan for controlling costs. You will learn about different tools and techniques used in cost estimating as well as how to analyze data. You will also gain an understanding of how to develop a strategy for making decisions that keep costs within expected levels. Through interactive lectures, readings, discussions, videos, and assignments you will develop your knowledge of cost estimating while learning how to efficiently plan projects and obtain value from investments. This course is ideal for individuals who are looking to hone their skills as project managers or those interested in pursuing a career in financial management or accounting. Course Objectives:  

• Understand principles associated with successful cost estimating
• Identify resources & assess risks
• Utilize different tools & techniques
• Analyze data
• Forecast expenses
• Develop strategies for decision-making
• Monitor & control spending
• Create templates & models
• Analyze variances
• Track current & future expenses

Course Description:

This course is designed to help students develop the skills for formulating strategies. It provides an understanding of:

• A firm's operative environment and how to sustain competitive advantage
• How to generate superior value for customers by designing the optimum configuration of the product mix and functional activities
• How to balance the opportunities and risks associated with dynamic and uncertain changes in industry attractiveness and competitive position

Particular attention is paid to competitive positioning; understanding comparative costs; and addressing issues such as cannibalization, network externalities, and globalization. Course Objectives:

• Develop a mastery of a body of analytical tools and the ability to take an integrative point of view
• Use these tools to perform in-depth analyses of industries and competitors, predict competitive behavior, and analyze how firms develop and sustain competitive advantage over time

Advanced Project Management (Programs, Portfolios, and PMOs) Course Description: This online course provides an overview of the key principles and practices of advanced project management. It covers the fundamentals of managing complex projects, including how to organize programs, develop portfolios, and set up project management offices (PMO). You will learn about different techniques used in advanced project management as well as how to utilize best practices. You will also gain an understanding of how to increase productivity and satisfaction through strategic planning. Through interactive lectures, readings, discussions, videos, and assignments you will develop your knowledge of advanced project management while learning how to optimize budgets, use resources effectively, and measure performance. This course is ideal for individuals who are looking to hone their skills as a project-managers or those interested in pursuing a career in running programs or setting up PMOs. Course Objectives:  

• Understand principles associated with advanced project management
• Organize programs & develop portfolios
• Establish & maintain a Project Management Office (PMO)
• Utilize best practices
• Optimize budgets
• Use resources effectively
• Measure performance
• Increase productivity
• Satisfy stakeholders
• Strategically plan & achieve objectives