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Creating the project schedule involves methods and processes. It includes define activities where the work package of the WBS is further broken down.
Define activities Inputs
The following inputs define activities process
· Scope base line (Deliverables, constraints, assumptions)
· Enter prise environmental factors
· Organization process assets
Tools and techniques for defining activities
· Decomposition
· Rolling wave planning
· Template
· Expert Judgement
The purpose of define activities process is to decompose the work packages into schedule activities where the basis for estimating, scheduling, executing and monitor and control of the work of the project is easily supported and accomplished.
Define activity Outputs
· Activity lists
· Activity Attributes
· Milestone Lists
Activity List should contain all the schedule activities that will be performed for the project.
Activity Attributes: Activity Attributes describe the characteristic of the activities and are the extension of the activity list.
Milestone Lists :Milestones are typically major accomplishments of the project and mark the completion of major deliverables or some other key event in the project.
Sequence Activities tools and techniques
· Precedence diagramming method
· Applying leads and lags
· Schedule network Templates
Precedence diagramming method(PDA)
The precedence diagramming method is what most project management software programs use to sequence activities(called nodes) the nodes are connected with arrows showing the dependencies between the activities. The method is called activity on node. You can mention the activity you are creating in each rectangular box or node.
Estimating Activity resources
All projects from the smallest to the largest require resources , resources can be people equipment and materials.
Estimate Activity Resource inputs
· Activity lists
· Activity Attributes
· Resource calendars
· Enterprise environmental factors
· Organizational process assets
Develop Schedule process
The Develop Schedule process is the heart of Planning process group. This is where you lay out the schedule , determine the start and finish dates and finalize activity sequence and durations
Develop Schedule Tools and Techniques
· Schedule network Analysis
· Critical path Method
· Critical Chain Method
· Resource Levelling
· What if scenario analysise.
Critical path method is a schedule network analysis technique. It determines the amount of float , or schedule flexibility or each of the network paths by calculating the earliest start date , earliest finish date , latest start date and latest finish date for each activity. Critical path is the activity with the longest duration.
To Conclude the Project Schedule planning process is very important and heart of the planning process group so please understand the points clearly and for queries and comments the author(Suresh Menon) can be contacted at suresh@digitalstream.in.
