Scheduling, a crucial aspect of project planning, is then described in Chapter 8, along with the most common scheduling models such as the Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT), the Critical Path Method (CPM), and precedence diagramming. | Chapter 8 Scheduling 8- Useful Abbreviations CPM - Critical Path Method PERT - Program Evaluation and Review Technique 8- Background Schedule is the conversion of a project action plan into an operating timetable Basis for monitoring a project One of the major project management tools Work changes daily, so a detailed plan is essential Not all project activities need to be scheduled at the same level of detail 8- Background Continued Most of the scheduling is at the WBS level, not the work package level Only the most critical work packages may be shown on the schedule Most of the scheduling is based on network drawings 8- Network Scheduling Advantage Consistent framework Shows interdependences Shows when resources are needed Ensures proper communication Determines expected completion date Identifies critical activities 8- Network Scheduling Advantage Continued Shows which of the activities can be delayed Determines start dates Shows which task must be coordinated . | Chapter 8 Scheduling 8- Useful Abbreviations CPM - Critical Path Method PERT - Program Evaluation and Review Technique 8- Background Schedule is the conversion of a project action plan into an operating timetable Basis for monitoring a project One of the major project management tools Work changes daily, so a detailed plan is essential Not all project activities need to be scheduled at the same level of detail 8- Background Continued Most of the scheduling is at the WBS level, not the work package level Only the most critical work packages may be shown on the schedule Most of the scheduling is based on network drawings 8- Network Scheduling Advantage Consistent framework Shows interdependences Shows when resources are needed Ensures proper communication Determines expected completion date Identifies critical activities 8- Network Scheduling Advantage Continued Shows which of the activities can be delayed Determines start dates Shows which task must be coordinated Shows which task can be run parallel Relieves some conflict Allows probabilistic estimates 8- Network Scheduling Techniques: PERT (ADM) and CPM (PDM) PERT was developed for the Polaris missile/submarine project in 1958 CPM developed by DuPont during the same time Initially, CPM and PERT were two different approaches CPM used deterministic time estimates and allowed project crunching PERT used probabilistic time estimates Microsoft Project (and others) have blended CPM and PERT into one approach 8- Terminology Activity - A specific task or set of tasks that are required by the project, use up resources, and take time to complete Event - The result of completing one or more activities Network - The combination of all activities and events that define a project Drawn left-to-right Connections represent predecessors 8- Terminology Continued Path - A series of connected activities Critical - An activity, event, or path which, if delayed, will delay the completion of the project .
