Scheduling with Purpose

Syllabus of a Course that will require a subscription

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Jeff ‘SKI’ Kinsey, Jonah’s Jonah
14 Sessions - 60 Minutes Each

Instructor

Jeff ‘SKI’ Kinsey, a certified Theory of Constraints (TOC) expert (‘Jonah’s Jonah’), brings over 30 years of experience transforming project management for teams across industries.

Platform

Substack (requires a paid subscription, $8 total for access to all 14 sessions over the next 30 days). Visit our Substack to enroll and receive Session 1 details:

Summary

Scheduling is not for the faint of heart. Or those that seek to perform such tasks as quickly as possible in order to get back to things they would rather be doing. This thorough offering will exceed your expectations or your money back. Once you learn the secret, you will amaze yourself and anyone that experiences the fruit of your labour.

Contact

Join our WhatsApp group for quick Q&A and informal support. SKI’s number will shared in the comments of Session 1 on Substack. Email is so last century.

Course Description

This 14-session masterclass equips project managers, schedulers, operations leaders, and ambitious professionals to conquer missed deadlines and underperforming projects. Using Dr. Eli Goldratt’s Theory of Constraints (TOC) and Critical Chain Project Management (CCPM), we’ll tackle the root causes of scheduling failures, unproductive multitasking, and planning errors that plague teams in every industry. This course doesn’t just inform—it transforms how you approach time, task prioritization, and system flow. Join us to build schedules that deliver results.

Required Reading

Critical Chain by Dr. Eliyahu M. Goldratt
Before Session 2, please read or skim Chapters 1 and 12 [only these two] to grasp key concepts we’ll explore early in the course. Purchase a print or Kindle copy through your preferred retailer. U.S. residents can borrow the e-book for free via the Libby app with a library card. International students may explore local library apps or purchase options.

Reading Assignments

Reading assignments are light but strategically assigned. Expect references to Critical Chain in Sessions 2 through 12.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will: - Diagnose failure patterns in traditional project schedules. - Apply TOC principles to identify and manage constraints. - Build realistic project timelines using the Critical Chain approach. - Manage buffers, reduce multitasking, and improve project flow. - Navigate organizational resistance to CCPM implementation. - Develop and present a constraint-aware schedule using CCPM logic.

Course Outline

Module 1: Why Traditional Scheduling Fails

• Session 1: The Problem with Traditional Project Schedules
  Explore estimation games, Parkinson’s Law, and Student Syndrome through a case study.
  Assignment: Secure your copy of Critical Chain (Libby users welcome).

• Session 2: The Five Focusing Steps and How TOC Defines Inventory, Throughput, and Operating Expense
  Introduce Drum-Buffer-Rope logic and systems thinking to uncover hidden constraints.

• Session 3: Critical Chain vs. Critical Path
  Discover the scheduling revolution with estimate compression and buffering against uncertainty.

Module 2: Mastering CCPM Techniques

• Session 4: How to Estimate Durations Like a CCPM Pro
  Learn the 50/50 rule, centralizing safety, and buffer math for accurate timelines.

• Session 5: Buffer Design and Strategy
  Understand project, feeding, and resource buffers to protect schedules without padding.

• Session 6: Building a Network: Critical Chain in Action
  Map dependencies interactively and simplify resource leveling.

• Session 7: How Buffer Management Drives Real-Time Decisions
  Use Fever Charts for Red/Yellow/Green prioritization and proactive risk detection.

Module 3: Organizational Change and Human Factors

• Session 8: Why Multitasking Is the Enemy
  Explore the science of focus and flow to break unproductive habits.

• Session 9: The People Side: Resistance, Conflict, and Metrics
  Address middle management fears and navigate the politics of planning change.

Module 4: Industry-Specific Practice

• Session 10: CCPM for Manufacturing, Logistics, and Construction
  Adopt a project-as-production-system mindset with capacity-based planning.

• Session 11: CCPM for Creative and Service Work
  Compare Agile and CCPM, and explore hybrid solutions with a campaign scheduling case study.

• Session 12: The Recovery Room: Rescuing a Broken Project
  Participate in a live simulation to identify constraints, rework flow, and replan for success.

Module 5: Synthesis and Delivery

• Session 13: Think Like Goldratt: Leading with Flow and Focus
  Reframe success metrics, manage variation, and adopt the TOC executive lens.

• Session 14: Capstone Project: Showcase Your Plan
  Present a project built using TOC/CCPM logic, followed by peer critique and instructor review.

Materials and Tools

• Templates, sample schedules, and buffer calculators.

• Fever Chart walkthroughs using Google Sheets.

Communication

Everyone can see your comments in Substack. Only SKI will see them in WhatsApp.

Ready to transform your scheduling skills and deliver projects on time? Enroll today on our Substack for just $8 and start your journey to mastering all manner of Scheduling!