Develop A Project Schedule You Developed A Project

Develop A Project Scheduleearlier You Developed A Proj

Review the activities list and network diagram you created earlier. Estimate the duration of all work while considering the following inputs: Information on availability of resources, organization calendars (when resources are available), project constraints and assumptions, and identified holidays, vacations, and such. Schedule the work in two ways: PERT/CPM and Gantt chart. Be sure to document significant considerations from the previous step that are not clearly accounted for in the schedule itself (for example, constraints and assumptions).

Tips: You may find it faster to first lay out your work using sticky notes and ribbon. Then, when you are satisfied with your results, enter the data into an online tool. You will be posting your work on the class website, so be sure to produce your final results in a form that your classmates can easily view. Though some methods may be more labor-intensive than others for entering data, consider tools such as spreadsheets, text publishing programs, email, or digital photos (for example, a picture of a whiteboard).

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Developing a comprehensive project schedule is a critical phase in project management, and it involves integrating various elements such as activity durations, resource availability, constraints, and organizational calendars to produce a realistic timeline. Building upon a previously created activity list and network diagram, the goal is to develop a detailed schedule using two classic methods: PERT/CPM (Program Evaluation and Review Technique / Critical Path Method) and Gantt charts. This process ensures that project planning accounts for potential bottlenecks, dependencies, and resource limitations while providing visual representations that facilitate monitoring and communication.

The first step involves thorough estimation of activity durations. This should be grounded in realistic assessments of the availability of resources, considering their working schedules, organizational calendars, holidays, vacations, and other Absences that could impact productivity. For example, if resources are limited or only available on specific days, these constraints must be incorporated into duration estimates to avoid overly optimistic timelines. Additionally, project constraints and assumptions—such as fixed deadlines, budget limitations, or dependencies—must be integrated into the scheduling process to ensure the schedule's feasibility.

Techniques such as PERT and CPM offer systematic approaches for modeling project timelines. PERT employs probabilistic time estimates, accommodating uncertainty, whereas CPM focuses on identifying the critical path—the sequence of the longest activities that determine the shortest possible project duration. Both methods involve mapping activities, estimating durations, and calculating earliest and latest start and finish times. These calculations help identify critical tasks that could delay the project if not managed carefully.

Complementing PERT/CPM, Gantt charts provide a visual timeline, illustrating activity durations, dependencies, and overlaps. Gantt charts are especially valuable for communicating the schedule to stakeholders and team members, fostering clarity and accountability. When creating these charts, ensure that the key dependencies derived from the network diagram are accurately represented, and incorporate milestones indicating significant points or deadlines.

Documenting significant considerations is equally important. For example, if certain activities are constrained by resource availability rather than solely by duration, or if specific dependencies are soft (recommendations rather than fixed constraints), these details should be explicitly noted. Such documentation ensures that the schedule remains adaptable to unforeseen changes and provides clarity for subsequent project control and risk management activities.

To facilitate the scheduling process, many project managers start with manual techniques such as sticky notes on a whiteboard or ribbon, which allow quick adjustments and visual inspection. After finalizing the sequence and durations, the data can be transferred to online tools like Microsoft Project, Excel, or other project management software. These tools can automate calculations, update views, and generate reports, enhancing accuracy and efficiency. Ensure that the final schedule is in a format that is easily accessible and intelligible to all project stakeholders.

In summary, developing a project schedule that integrates activity durations, resource constraints, organizational calendars, and project assumptions is crucial to successful project delivery. Using both PERT/CPM and Gantt charts provides complementary perspectives—analytical rigor and visual clarity—enhancing overall project planning and communication. Additionally, documenting significant considerations ensures transparency and supports effective project control throughout execution.

References

• Kerzner, H. (2017). Project management: A systems approach to planning, scheduling, and controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
• PMI (2021). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) — Seventh Edition. Project Management Institute.
• Heerkens, G. R., & Rajagopalan, S. (2018). Project Management. McGraw-Hill Education.
• Lientz, B. P., & Larvin, P. P. (2015). Project Management for the Experienced Manager. Academic Press.
• Larson, E. W., & Gray, C. F. (2017). Project Management: The Managerial Process. McGraw-Hill Education.
• Heldman, K. (2018). Project Management JumpStart. John Wiley & Sons.
• Meredith, J. R., & Mantel, S. J. (2017). Project Management: A Managerial Approach. Wiley.
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• Chua, D. K. H., & Kwok, K. C. S. (2010). A project planning framework for the construction industry. Construction Management and Economics, 28(2), 235-247.