Update Your Project File Based On Feedback Given Last Week

Update your project file based on any feedback given last week. If assignment is not correctly updated, then points will be deducted. • Add Project Management Processes to your WBS if you have not already done so. This will need to include the PM processes that would be consistent with the planning, executing, controlling, and closing activities. o You will need to create appropriate deliverables (adjective / noun format) o You will need to create appropriate activities (action verb / adjective / noun format) o Sequence the activities o You will need to estimate times (be sure to differentiate between duration & effort / work) • Sequence all your activities using the predecessors’ column, creating a closed network diagram (please see multimedia video showing you how to ensure you have a closed network diagram). At least 4 of your tasks relationships must be different than Finish to Start (insert a note on these tasks to explain the task relationship that you chose); remember, you should create a closed network diagram • Add lead time to at least 2 task relationships with explanatory note • Add lag time to at least 1 task relationship with explanatory note • Add a constraint to at least 2 tasks and provide a note explaining why the task is constrained (make certain that the constraint does not create a conflict in the project schedule) • View your critical path • Create a note in Line 1 of your MS Project file where you tell me what tasks are on the critical path. It must be in this location. Be sure to tell me the correct critical path, which may or may not be the tasks highlighted in MS Project. • Display your project in Network Diagram view and save it so that it opens automatically in this view. Requirements: • Use MS Project to complete your assignment. • Save your files using the following filename convention: o MSProject2 – FirstName_LastName

Paper For Above instruction

Effective project management relies heavily on detailed scheduling, which involves creating a comprehensive Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), sequencing activities logically, incorporating realistic time estimates, and analyzing the critical path. Utilizing MS Project enables project managers to visualize and manage these components efficiently. This paper explores the processes involved in updating a project schedule based on feedback, adding project management processes to the WBS, sequencing activities with various relationships, and analyzing schedule constraints and critical path components.

Initially, the foundation of an effective project schedule is a meticulously crafted Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). The WBS decomposes the project into manageable work packages, typically into at least 40 activities necessary to deliver the project outputs. Proper naming conventions involve descriptive phrases in adjective/noun or action verb/adjective/noun formats, which enhance clarity. This decomposition facilitates better scheduling, resource allocation, and accountability. After establishing the WBS, project managers should incorporate project management processes aligned with project phases—planning, executing, controlling, and closing—highlighting the specific deliverables and activities within each phase.

Sequentiation of activities is pivotal for constructing a feasible timeline. Using MS Project's predecessors column, activities are linked, forming a logical network. Diverse task relationships beyond the standard Finish-to-Start (FS) include Finish-to-Finish (FF), Start-to-Start (SS), and Start-to-Finish (SF), among others. For example, a task might have a Finish-to-Finish relationship with a successor to indicate that it cannot complete until the successor finishes, differing from the basic FS dependency. Incorporating multiple relationship types, along with lead and lag times, further refines the schedule. Lead time accelerates tasks, e.g., starting a subsequent activity before the predecessor finishes, while lag time introduces intentional delays, such as waiting before beginning a dependent task. These adjustments should be carefully noted with explanatory comments within MS Project to clarify their purpose and impact.

Constraints are tangible burdens on schedule flexibility, often necessitated by resource limitations or imperative deadlines. Assigning constraints, such as "Must Finish By" or "Start No Earlier Than," to at least two tasks ensures critical milestones are met without conflicts. Each constraint requires justification—perhaps a regulatory deadline or resource availability—that aligns with the overall project timeline. It is essential to verify that constraints do not create scheduling conflicts, which could jeopardize the project’s critical path and delivery dates.

The critical path analysis in MS Project involves identifying tasks that directly influence the project’s completion date. By viewing the schedule in Network Diagram and Gantt chart views, one can clearly see the longest path of dependent activities. Notably, explicitly noting which tasks lie on the critical path in line with project instructions ensures clarity. The critical path may shift based on task durations and dependencies, so constant verification is advised. Proper highlighting and annotation help stakeholders understand the project's schedule vulnerabilities and focus resources accordingly.

Finally, displaying the schedule in Network Diagram view provides a visual representation of task relationships and project flow. Saving the file ensures that it opens in this preferred view for review and adjustments. The entire process from updating feedback, adding processes, sequencing, estimating durations, and analyzing dependencies culminates in a realistic, monitorable project schedule that supports successful project delivery.

References

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