CPD credits: 2. Provider: ONOVO (Pty) Ltd. (SAIChE-SPV-008/27)

SAIChE-454: Reliable Project Completion Course (Online)

New intake: 15 June 2026

The way we execute our projects has significant impacts. Delays, or poorly completed tasks, can increase the overall cost of the project. This does not please the customer, and damages our reputation. What we do BEFORE we execute project tasks is often more important than the actual tasks themselves.

This practical 6-week online course deals with effective techniques that empower the project participants/leaders to anticipate possible interruptions, and put steps in place to complete their projects on time and within budget.

The course is for registered AND  non-registered persons working on, or leading, projects in technical and non-technical fields.

In the course the participants will cover the following topics:

1. The challenge of managing/executing BIG PROJECTS.
2. What is EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION?
3. Using E-MAILS and MEETINGS efficiently (including online meetings).
4. Managing the HUMAN ELEMENT.
5. MONITORING progress.
6. The ROLE of the TEAM LEADER.

The course is presented in the form of 6 online learning sessions. At the end of these sessions, tasks are presented to the participants that enable them to apply the techniques covered to their particular situations. Three days after each learning session, there is an online QUESTION & ANSWER session in which participants discuss with the course presenter their tasks, as well as other related questions. Participants are given transcripts of the learning material for future reference.

Course Presenter: Dr Wolfgang Bernhardt (PhD Eng, PR Eng).

Dr Bernhardt has more than 35 years’ experience leading big projects and mentoring others in project teams.

Course cost: R3800 per person. Closing date for registration 8h June 2026.

For booking and more info contact: Dr Bernhardt, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Mark your email: RELIABLE PROJECT COMPLETION COURSE

Course schedule:

The course includes:

• Audiovisual teaching material presented during the online sessions
• Links to ZOOM/Microsoft Teams online sessions
• Transcripts of teaching material for participants’ reference
• Opportunities for participants to discuss particular problems during Q&A sessions
• Opportunity for a FREE one-hour online consultation with course presenter on an individual work-related issue. Strict confidentiality is maintained.
• Course feedback questionnaire
• Course completion certificate showing number of CPD points.

Testimonials from previous participants:

Which was the most valuable Module for you, and why?

“The Leaders Role” was quite important, as it touched on aspects project managers need to be critically aware of, specifically the roles and responsibilities and the variety of stressors project managers may be subjected to.  Nivaar B.

Being proactive and monitoring are most useful. Very often project delays are due to postgraduate students being proactive in communicating challenges, and me not being proactive enough in communicating with them and monitoring their contributions. Madison L.

Knowing the fact that human beings are often sensitive and easily take offence have really helped me to be careful when dealing with individuals on site, it also helped to be able to try and better understand individuals’ personalities and how to approach them. Ntokozo H.

Trust building and securing willing co-operation - I found them very useful. I must build trust so that other team members can trust me and then co-operate. Lungile Z.

There has to be an understanding of the abilities of team members, and other social aspects that could impact on the project. It is also important to address any conflicts early to avoid delays in the project. David L.

CPD 3 credits: Ref. No. SAIChE-436 Provider: E4A (SAIChE-SPV-004)

Includes numerous Sub-Courses such as Multi-variables Analyses, Corrosion Design for Processes, Design of Liquid-based Processes, Design of Solids/Powder-based Processes, Design of Batches, Design Guides of Pumps, Pipes, Vessels, & Installations. We add a full study of Pipe and Pump optimum sizing for cost saving in projects.
There are 6 Design Toolboxes included that serve as powerful backup guidelines for total Process Designs. The E4A package on Eng. and Manufacturing Economics is provided for guidance to sound economic paybacks. The Pre, Mid and Post-Reading Files are also an outstanding bank of design and operational guidelines.

This unique and information packed Course enables those involved in design, projects, and plant operations to analyse and design a wide range of process systems in thorough engineering detail.         
This enables more cost-efficient and effective engineering designs aligned with process requirements. Every year we update with new trends and improvements, and this Course now covers a range of process systems.

This new information rich course enables those involved in plant operations, general design, and projects to analyse, design and select equipment appropriate for a total systems approach and a range of liquid-liquid or solid-solid processes, or other blends.                  
This Course first provides special sub-courses covering important aspects of materials fundamentals affecting process systems design, including the importance of avoiding recycled materials, temperature and pressure inter-relationships, and corrosion factors to consider in all system designs.    
Also of importance is the training of the material grades and schedules for both metallic and non-metallic piping and the care to understand pressure downrating for temperature. There is also early in the Course a supporting sub-course on Economics in Process Design showing where leverage in savings and profits can be achieved. 

The second main section involves training attendees to apply the E4A design algorithm and analytical methods. We discuss in detail the variables stemming from these analyses and how these should be considered in all engineering process designs. We also ‘drill down’ on the critical variables.        
This course then shows how the best approach is treating process design as a total system of process equipment, pumps, pipes and storage or process vessels. These components (the equipment) are considered as sub-systems of the total system being analysed. Design of Liquid based Systems and then Solid and Powder based systems give a thorough guidance to the design steps and points of care and caution in these design processes is covered.

There are also some sub-courses such as vessel designs, motor drive systems design (including VSDs), and installation and platform design - to broaden the course and provide the full sub-systems design considerations. Interesting and unusual case studies are also presented.           
The final summary is a series of DESIGN STAGES OR STEPS in a master chart with control checklists, and the appropriate design standards; design limitations are also discussed. Unusual case studies are also presented.

MAIN OBJECTIVES  

The main objective is to develop skills of attendees to approach designs of processes as a total systems design including the main equipment in nearly all processes such as Vessels, Pumps, Pipes, and Mixers.
The importance of a total systems approach is evaluated and emphasized and there is also extended consideration given to the key and critical variables that are relevant to the design of total process systems.

Economic benefits are firstly achieved through the evaluation of different materials and assessing the most suitable and thus effective materials for the given process variables, service and functional needs, and potential hazards. Economic benefits are further achieved through optimisation of the design and a deeper understanding of how design approaches and parameters can be leveraged to greater savings and profits.

Attendee comments:
“Very good workshop and will definitely recommend to others”, Werner F.;
“This was my first CPD Course since graduating in Civil Eng., I thoroughly enjoyed it”, Mauro D’A.;
“A well-structured Course which makes the attendee aware of various technical concepts and very useful ”, Kasuren M.       

Presenter: John Broli. (MD E4A). For more information or to make your booking, contact John Broli at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Cost 2026:
Registered Persons Fees/Rates are R6950 (+VAT) for the 2 Live on-line days and 1 private day CPD Courses. 3 CPDs.
Quantity discounts are available for group attendances or multiple bookings paid in advance.

Dates: 10-11 December 2025, 17-18 June 2026, 28-29 October 2026, 9-10 December 2026

All courses include:
a. Interesting pre-reading material is sent to attendees normally 2 days prior to the start.
b. Full course materials are emailed ahead to you for the course and your personal library.
c. Videos links through ZOOM or Microsoft Teams still enable samples of products to be shown.
d. The Course framework/plan is sent to attendees as an Excel Document enabling easy tracking.
e. Workshops which include case studies and worked examples are interspersed with tea and lunch breaks and all materials are sent ahead to attendees for these exercises.
f. A Certificate of Attendance with CPD points reflected is provided at the end of the event.