Classroom setting training available in 2 and 1.5 days before the 2020 Conference & Expo

June 26-27 and June 27-28

Learning doesn’t stop with your posting of a picture on social media of you in your cap and gown. That is why AACE International is committed to providing you with the resources you need to make the most of your career. Each year before and after the Conference & Expo, AACE International offers a variety of continuing education seminars on a variety of topics. This article features the seminars that will be held before the 2020 Conference & Expo. Plan now to attend a seminar and the 2020 Conference & Expo which will be held June 28 - July 1 at the Hilton Chicago.

Registrants earn continuing education units (CEUs) to help toward required recertification credits for certifications.

Click on the seminar name to view full descriptions.

Saturday - Sunday, June 26-27, 2020 (2 DAYS)

A1: Certified Cost Professional (CCP) Certification Exam Prep

This seminar is work 1.6 CEUs.

This course provides an overview of skills and knowledge of cost engineering. The course will cover basic concepts of estimating, planning and scheduling, cost control and forecasting, breakeven analysis, and productivity analysis. Professionals who attend this Review Course will gain a better understanding of some of the basic concepts of cost engineering. This course is also suitable for those who plan to take the CCP Certification Exam as it will enable attendees to be better prepared to take the exam beyond what they would likely achieve on their own. Each day's presentation covers subjects that are tested on the certification examination.

Course Material
1.  Recommended Practice 11R-88: Skills and Knowledge of a Cost Engineer 
2.  Skills and Knowledge of Cost Engineering, 6th Ed
3.  CCP Certification Study Guide, 2nd Ed

If possible, attendees should read and workout some problems from the text to become relatively comfortable with the contents of these books. A review of college algebra, such as logarithms and exponents is recommended.

The books are not required for the course but are essential reference material for any cost engineer. You should bring a calculator with exponent and logarithm functions. A financial calculator is useful but not required.

Instructors: Ken Cressman, CCP EVP and Cokey Mills, CCP  

A2: Project Risk Quantification

This seminar is worth 1.6 CEUs.

The course starts with learning the basics of risk management (RM) and dealing with uncertainty in investment and bid decisions and project control (i.e. the context.) Fundamentals such as terminology and statistics are covered. Attendees will then learn how to elicit information about risks and use it to perform integrated, probabilistic cost and schedule risk analysis for contingency, reserves and escalation in a step-by-step manner in accordance with the text (“Project Risk Quantification”) including exercises to reinforce the lessons. The content is consistent with AACE Recommended Practices where applicable. Quantification at different project phases is covered, including capturing historical data to improve future risk analyses. In addition, the attendees will learn about landmark empirical research, example cases, tips and rules-of-thumb and watch-outs. Attendees will also be provided with practice guidelines, tools and templates to help put the practices into action at their workplace.

Instructor: John Hollmann, PE CCP CEP DRMP

Saturday – Sunday, June 27-28, 2020 (1.5 days)

B1: Project Controls from the Owner's Perspective

This seminar is worth 1.2 CEUs

This seminar will cover Project Controls Industry “Best Practices” (approaches, methods, techniques and tools) suitable to an owner organization’s project portfolio and specific projects.  Topical coverage will include:

• Project Controls Perspective (relative to Owner’s role)
• Project Controls Process
• Roles and Responsibilities for Project Controls (Project Manager/Engineer, Owner’s Project Team, Owner's Project Controls Team/Representatives, Contractors)
• Planning and Scheduling (Development and Baselining)
• Cost Estimate/Budget (Development and Baselining)
• Cost and Risk Analysis and Contingency (Development and Management)
• Progress and Productivity Measurement
• Cost and Schedule Management
• Project Controls Reporting
• Change Management

A combination of material presentation in lecture format, examples and interactive sessions will be utilized by the instructor to provide attendees with an opportunity to engage in discussions and participate in an effective learning experience.

Instructor:  Steve Cabano

B2: Planning and Scheduling Professional (PSP) Certification Exam Prep

This seminar is worth 1.2 CEUs.

This seminar provides a good review of planning and scheduling principles/techniques and is
intended as a refresher for individuals preparing to sit for the PSP certification exam. As such, it is not meant to replace years of scheduling experience in the field, but rather should be considered as a component of the preparation recommended to successfully achieve the PSP certification. The seminar can also be helpful to those individuals not necessarily looking to sit for the certification exam, but rather as a good overview of planning and scheduling that can be built upon by additional project-based experience.

 Instructor:  Michael R. Nosbisch, CCP PSP FAACE

B3: Using Microsoft Power BI for Project Dashboards

This seminar is worth 1.2 CEUs.

It is well known that project controls functions own a lot of data. Analysis of the data is not straightforward if the data is stored in spreadsheets or even relational databases. It is hard and time consuming to repeat spreadsheet analysis every week or every month. Business Intelligence (BI) tools like Microsoft Power BI is an affordable platform for data visualization and analysis.

In this seminar, trainees will learn how to use Power BI to produce interactive project controls dashboards. First, the basics of Power BI will be covered then project controls examples will be developed by participants. This is a hands-on training that will guarantee the participants can replicate what they learn back into their companies. Participants are encouraged to get their own data to build their own dashboards toward the end of the course.

Instructor:  Dr. Mohamed El-Mehalawi

B4: Hands On Training - Microsoft Project

This seminar is worth 1.2 CEUs.

The Hands-on Microsoft Project 2016 course is a timely and informative session designed for a wide range of individuals with management and/or supervisory responsibilities. This session can be used as an introduction to the use of project management software tools or reinforce and strengthen the skills of those already exposed to the software. The following topics are covered and include hands-on exercises to instill the skills in the student: Software Configuration, Creating New Projects, Entering Project Tasks, Relationships (Links), Organizing/Activity Codes/WBS Coding, Resources, Constraining Dates, Statusing/Recording Progress/Scheduling, Outlining a Project, Target Plans, Customizing/Configuring Schedule Outputs, Developing Layouts and Reports – Filters, Effort-driven Scheduling, and Earned Value.

In addition to the technical use of the software, the instructors provide insight into the challenges and techniques that provide results in the field. Students will leave this course with the ability to immediately put the fundamentals into practice.

Instructor: Anthony M. Woodrich, CCP

B5: Hands On Training - Oracle P6

This seminar is worth 1.2 CEUs.

The Hands-on Oracle P6 course is an interactive course that is timely and informative. Designed for a wide range of individuals with management and/or supervisory responsibilities. This session can be used as an introduction to the use of project management software tools or reinforce and strengthen the skills of those already exposed to the software. The following topics are covered and include hands-on exercises to instill the skills in the student: Software Configuration, Creating New Projects, Entering Project Tasks, Relationships (Links), Organizing/Activity Codes/WBS Coding, Resources, Constraining Dates, Statusing/Recording Progress/Scheduling, Outlining a Project, Target Plans, Customizing/Configuring Schedule Outputs, Developing Layouts, Effort-driven Scheduling, and Project Portfolios.

In addition to the technical use of the software, the instructors provide insight into the challenges and techniques that provide results in the field. Students will leave this course with the ability to immediately put the fundamentals into practice. compensability, or non-excusability.

Instructor: James E. Krebs, PE CCP FAACE

As always, members receive the best rate. If you register for a seminar and the Conference & Expo, joining AACE will not only save you money on the registration, but you’ll get all of the benefits of membership.

Go to AACE’s website for the most up-to-date information on all of the continuing education seminars. Go here to find out more about the 2020 Conference & Expo including information on the host hotel, the Hilton Chicago. I look forward to seeing you this June in Chicago!