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There are 2 modules in this course
Project Time and Effort is an essential course for project managers, team leaders, and anyone involved in planning and scheduling. In today’s fast-paced work environment, it is critical to differentiate between effort (person-hours) and duration (calendar time) to avoid project derailment, team burnout, and loss of stakeholder trust.
This course is designed for professionals who want to move beyond simple deadlines and develop realistic project plans. You will learn to calculate and track timelines with confidence, focusing on preventing misunderstandings about time and resource requirements.
Through hands-on exercises, practical screencasts, and real-world scenarios, you will refine skills to accurately estimate task durations based on resource availability. Whether you are explaining why an 8-hour task takes two days or managing limited resources, this course provides the foundation for reliable project delivery and helps break the cycle of missed deadlines.
This module introduces the core concepts of effort and duration. Learners will discover why distinguishing between the two is a critical first step for any successful project plan. They will learn the formal definitions and see how to perform basic calculations, setting the foundation for realistic scheduling.
What's included
3 videos1 reading1 assignment
Show info about module content
3 videos•Total 14 minutes
Why Schedules Break?•5 minutes
What Are Effort and Duration?•4 minutes
How to Calculate Effort and Duration?•5 minutes
1 reading•Total 7 minutes
Defining Your Terms: Effort vs. Duration•7 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Knowledge Check•30 minutes
Applying Effort and Duration in Project Planning
Module 2•1 hour to complete
Module details
In this module, learners move from theory to practice. They will explore how changes in effort and duration directly impact project schedules, resource allocation, and stakeholder expectations. Learners will apply their knowledge to realistic scenarios and create a project time log, solidifying their ability to build and justify accurate project timelines.
What's included
2 videos1 reading2 assignments
Show info about module content
2 videos•Total 8 minutes
The Ripple Effect of a Bad Estimate•4 minutes
How to Track Time in a Project Log?•4 minutes
1 reading•Total 7 minutes
What Happens When Plans Change?•7 minutes
2 assignments•Total 35 minutes
HOL: Building Your First Time Log•15 minutes
Final Project: Product Launch Timeline•20 minutes
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What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.