Work Planning and Budgeting with Excel Training Course

Participants can develop a logical activity schedule with realistic durations, dependencies and milestones.

• Activity lists developed from lowest-level work packages and control accounts
• Precedence Diagramming Method relationships: finish-to-start, start-to-start, finish-to-finish and lag
• Network logic tested for missing links, open ends and circular relationships
• Critical path calculated from early dates, late dates and total float
• Three-point estimates converted into expected durations using PERT formula
• Rolling-wave planning applied where later work remains uncertain

Participants can build structured Excel workbooks that separate inputs, calculations, outputs and controls.

• Excel table architecture separates inputs, calculations, outputs and reference lists
• Data validation lists control activity owners, cost categories and status values
• Structured references and named ranges make formulas readable and auditable
• XLOOKUP and INDEX-MATCH retrieve rates, codes and resource information
• IFERROR, SUMIFS and COUNTIFS build controlled planning calculations
• Conditional formatting flags overdue activities, incomplete inputs and budget variances
• Worksheet protection and version conventions preserve approved baseline data

Participants can assign accountable roles and test whether required resources are available when needed.

• Responsibility assignment matrices distinguish accountable, responsible, consulted and informed roles
• Resource calendars capture availability, holidays, shift patterns and planned absences
• Effort estimates converted to duration using allocation percentages and calendars
• Resource loading exposes peak demand by person, skill and period
• Capacity constraints resolved through sequencing, reassignment, overtime or scope adjustment
• RACI matrix aligned with work packages, approvals and reporting responsibilities

Participants can estimate project costs using documented rates, quantities, assumptions and reserve rules.

• Cost breakdown structures align work packages with chart-of-accounts categories
• Bottom-up estimates built from labour hours, unit rates and quantities
• Parametric estimates checked against drivers, source data and applicability limits
• Contingency reserves calculated from identified risks and estimate uncertainty
• Direct, indirect, fixed and variable costs classified consistently
• Cost assumptions documented with sources, currencies, taxes and escalation dates

Participants can convert activity-based estimates into period budgets, funding plans and cash forecasts.

• Time-phased budgets distribute approved costs across reporting periods and activities
• Excel SUMIFS calculates monthly spend by workstream, category and funding source
• Cash-flow forecasts distinguish commitment, invoice timing, payment timing and retention
• Funding tranches matched against planned disbursements and minimum cash balances
• Budget baselines protected from forecast updates through separate version controls
• Management reserve governed separately from contingency held within control accounts

Participants can quantify uncertainty and assess its effect on schedules, budgets and funding needs.

• Risk register links threats and opportunities to activities, costs and owners
• Probability-impact scoring prioritises risks requiring budget or schedule response
• Expected monetary value calculates risk allowances from probability and impact
• Scenario models test exchange-rate, inflation, delay and volume assumptions
• Sensitivity analysis identifies cost drivers with greatest budget effect
• Mitigation actions assigned dates, owners, triggers and residual risk ratings

Participants can measure schedule and cost performance against approved project baselines.

• Baseline work plans compared with actual starts, finishes, costs and commitments
• Planned value, earned value and actual cost calculated by control account
• Schedule Performance Index and Cost Performance Index interpreted with thresholds
• Forecast at completion derived using Estimate-to-Complete and Estimate-at-Completion methods
• Variance analysis separates timing differences, scope changes and estimating errors
• Dashboard charts present milestones, burn rate, variances and decision requests

Participants can prepare concise reports and assess changes before altering approved plans or budgets.

• Weekly status reports connect deliverables, milestones, risks, issues and actions
• Exception reports distinguish tolerances, root causes, corrective actions and approvals
• Change requests assess scope, schedule, cost, resource and risk effects
• Baseline revisions authorised through documented governance and audit trails
• Management dashboards use concise indicators, commentary and decision deadlines
• Data quality checks reconcile source records, totals, dates and ownership

Participants can review an integrated Excel plan and prepare a practical implementation approach for their workplace.

• Integrated work plan links WBS activities, owners, dates, dependencies and costs
• Budget narrative explains estimate basis, assumptions, exclusions and reserve treatment
• Funding proposals map outputs and indicators to planned expenditure
• Quality review applies completeness, logic, formula and traceability checks
• Peer review questions test feasibility, affordability, accountability and reporting readiness
• Personal application plan schedules workplace implementation, review points and sponsor discussions