Create a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

Develop the project goal yourself Take a cursory pass at defining the objectives

–the preliminary plan Have teams refine the objectives Have teams break down the objectives into

tasks Have doers break down tasks into activities

All jobs are easier when they are broken into smaller pieces!

Scheduling Tools

Activity-on-Nodes – flow charts that represent each activity with a node (box). This chart is used to indicate precedence in a meaningful way.

Gantt Charts – bar chart that represents the sequence and duration of activities.

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Scheduling

Who sets the schedule? How do we set Priorities? How do we get everyone to agree? How do we handle foul-ups? Can we really anticipate problems? What about changes?

Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

A schedule that shows each steps of the project

Make sure that each step of the project is completed in the appropriate order.

Hierarchy of Work

Figure 8-1 (p. 154) Project -> Objectives -> Tasks ->

Activities

Objectives

Big chunks of the project, when added together accomplish the project goal.

Project Goal: Kitchen Remodeling Objectives

– Plans and Specs– Demolition & Clearing– Installation & Finishing

Tasks

Represents one of several major deliverables towards an objective.

Objective: Demolition & Clearing Tasks:

– Remove old wallpaper– Remove old light fixtures– Remove old linoleum & counter tops

Activities

Basic building blocks of a project Individual actions that will be preformed

one at a time. Task: Remove old light fixtures Activities:

– Turn off circuit breakers– Remove overhead light– Remove chandelier in the breakfast area

Activities – Example 2

Task: Remove old linoleum Activities:

– Remove baseboard & old linoleum– Remove fixtures & old countertops– Dispose of old material

Develop Work Breakdown Structure

Develop the project goal yourself Take a cursory pass at defining the

objectives – the preliminary plan Have teams refine the objectives Have teams break down the objectives

into tasks Have doers break down tasks into

activities

Precedence Relationships

Relationships between activities based on when they occur in relation to each other.

Logical categories that will influence the sequencing of activities:– Technical requirements– Safety and efficiency consideration– Policy or preference decision– Availability of limited resources

Scheduling Tools

Gantt Chart: a bar chart that is visual representation of the sequencing and duration of activities on any given project (Figure 8-5 p. 162).

PERT/CPM Chart: diagrams, consisting of nodes connected by arrows, that shows the flow of work and highlight of precedence relationships.

PERT: Program Evaluation and Review Technique

CPM: Critical Path Method

Case study

Project: Surprise Party Cake