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Courses/Architecture/Practice / Business Management

Managing the Design Project: Simple Tools for Schedule Management

Streamline your creative workflow, eliminate costly delays, and deliver design projects on time using simple, practical scheduling frameworks.

Created byDonald Ardiel
BeginnerUpdated Sep 30, 2026
Managing the Design Project: Simple Tools for Schedule Management

What You'll Learn

check_circleDevelop a structured Work Breakdown Structure for a design project
check_circleApply task sequencing techniques to create network diagrams and project schedules
check_circleEstimate task durations and incorporate realistic scheduling assumptions
check_circleUse scheduling software to develop and manage effective design project schedules

About This Course

Effective project scheduling is fundamental to successful design project delivery, yet many project managers move too quickly from project initiation to producing a Gantt chart without establishing the foundations needed for a reliable and practical schedule. A well-developed schedule should serve as a management tool that supports decision-making, resource planning, and project control throughout the design process.

This practical course explores a structured approach to schedule development for design projects, demonstrating how simple project management tools can be used to build realistic and effective schedules. Participants will learn how to break projects into manageable tasks, sequence activities, estimate durations, and develop schedules that support project objectives. The session also introduces software solutions that can streamline schedule creation and improve project management outcomes across architectural, engineering, and design environments.

Key Topics Discussed:

  • The role of scheduling in successful design project management
  • Developing a practical scheduling process from project commencement
  • Creating and using Work Breakdown Structures (WBS)
  • Defining project tasks and deliverables
  • Task sequencing and dependency identification
  • Developing network diagrams for project planning
  • Estimating task durations and resource requirements
  • Critical path concepts and schedule logic
  • Common scheduling mistakes and how to avoid them
  • Using Gantt charts effectively as management tools
  • Software solutions for schedule development and tracking
  • Maintaining and updating schedules throughout project delivery

Your Instructor

Donald Ardiel
Donald Ardiel

Architect, B.Arch., MDE, OAA, PMP

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Donald Ardiel is an architect, educator, and project manager. Following 30 years in architectural practice, Don assumed the positions of Director of Practice Support and the Director of Syllabus at the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada from 2016 to 2020. Following retirement from the RAIC, Don has provided project management education for design professionals to national and international clients. Don is the editor of A Guide to Determining Appropriate Fees for the Services of an Architect 2nd Edition, and editor-in-chief of the Canadian Handbook of Practice for Architects 3rd Edition. In addition to architectural practice, Don has been an instructor and workshop leader in project and practice management for 30 years. As an education consultant, he has provided curriculum development and instructional design services to post-secondary institutions and professional associations. He continues his commitment to the architectural profession through his active volunteer work with the Ontario Association of Architects, Canadian Architectural Certification Board’s Broadly Experienced Foreign Architect Program, and the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada’s Syllabus Program. Don received a Bachelor of Architecture from Carleton University in 1987 and a Master of Distance Education from Athabasca University in 2008. Don has been a member of the Project Management Institute since 1992 and certified Project Management Professional since 2008. Don is an active board member of the United Church of Canada’s children’s camp, Camp Kee-Mo-Kee in Komoka, Ontario.

Credit Information

Professional development requirements vary by profession, country, and regulatory body. Before enrolling, review the course details and confirm that the content, learning format, and any listed credits meet your specific requirements. You are responsible for confirming eligibility with your regulator or professional association and keeping the records required for reporting.

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Frequently Asked Questions

We are a registered provider with 327+ associations and regulatory bodies worldwide. We operate across 29 global markets including Canada, the US, Australia, and the UK. Every course page clearly displays its specific accreditations. Upon completion, you receive a professional certificate that can be validated online. Our certificates include all necessary accreditation details, credit hours, and completion dates, and are formatted specifically to meet the submission requirements of most global regulatory bodies.

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