Module 7 Session 7.3 Visual 1

Module 7

Planning and Scheduling with the Critical Path Method

Session 7.3The computer and project management

Module 7 Session 7.3 Visual 2

Identify benefits of using the computer to assist with planning and scheduling

Apply criteria for purchasing planning software

Identify reporting options

Apply guidelines for setting up software

Describe implementation success factors

Discuss implications of emerging trends in technology

Instructional Objectives

Module 7 Session 7.3 Visual 3

Project management computer system

Projectdata

Personalcomputer

Printer

CPMsoftware package

Project manager

Project team

Management

Plans and reports

Module 7 Session 7.3 Visual 4

Benefits of computer use Calculate automatically critical path and float

Store and communicate key project data instantly

Print time-scaled CPM precedence network diagrams

Update and print quickly

Analyze different scenarios

Print many different reports

Generate new project plans from existing templates

Save a series of baseline plans

Print original plan versus progress versus revised plan

Maintain history

Module 7 Session 7.3 Visual 5

Criteria for selecting project management software

Cost

Capacity (number of activities)

Ease of learning and use

Compatibility

Report flexibility

Input alternatives

Automatic subnets

Connectivity/integration

Technical support from vendor

Simplicity versus sophistication

Module 7 Session 7.3 Visual 6

Different outputs

Bar chart (Gantt)

Precedence diagram (PERT chart)

Time-scaled precedence diagram

Tracking Gantt chart

List of critical activities

Calendar for resources

Milestone chart

Module 7 Session 7.3 Visual 7

Bar chart (Gantt)ID Task name

1 START PROJECT

2 Planning component

3 Produce plan

4 Final plan approved

5 Construction component

6 Clear and excavate (all required areas)

7 Build pump foundation

8 Build headworks

9 Install pipeline and valves

10 Install electrical requirements

11 Pump procurement component

12 Fabricate pump

13 Ship pump

14 Pump received at site

15 Installation and testing component

16 Install pump

17 Test pumping system

18 PROJECT COMPLETED

19

20

21

Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr MayQtr 4, 1996 Qtr 1, 1997 Qtr 2, 1997 Qtr 3, 1997 Qtr 4, 1997 Qtr 1, 1998 Qtr 2, 1998

Module 7 Session 7.3 Visual 8

Precedence diagram (PERT chart)

Clear and excavate(all required areas)

3 6w

START PROJECT

1 0d

Produce pump

2 10w

Fabricate pump

8 30w

Ship pump

9 8w

Install pump

10 4w

Test pumpingsystem

11 4w

PROJECTCOMPLETED

12 0d

Build pumpfoundation

4 6w

Build headworks

5 20w

Install pipelineand valves

6 16w

Install electricalrequirements

7 10w

Module 7 Session 7.3 Visual 9

Time-scaled precedence diagram

ID Task name

1 START PROJECT

2 Planning component

3 Produce plan

4 Final plan approval

5 Construction component

6 Clear and excavate (all required areas)

7 Build pump foundation

8 Build headworks

9 Install pipeline and valves

10 Install electrical requirements

11 Pump procurement component

12 Fabricate pump

13 Ship pump

14 Pump received at site

15 Installation and testing component

16 Install pump

17 Test pumping system

18 PROJECT COMPLETED

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun JulQtr 4, 1996 Qtr 1, 1997 Qtr 2, 1997 Qtr 3, 1997 Qtr 4, 1997 Qtr 1, 1998 Qtr 2, 1998 Q

Module 7 Session 7.3 Visual 10

Tracking Gantt chartID Task name

1 START PROJECT

2 Planning component

3 Produce plan

4 Final plan approval

5 Construction Component

6 Clear and excavate (all required areas)

7 Build pump foundation

8 Build headworks

9 Install pipeline and valves

10 Install electrical requirements

11 Pump procurement component

12 Fabricate pump

13 Ship pump

14 Pump received at site

15 Installation and testing component

16 Install pump

17 Test pumping system

18 PROJECT COMPLETED

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

START PROJECT

100%

Final plan approval

100%

100%

60%

70%

100%

50%

0%

Pump received at site

0%

0%

PROJECT COMPLETED

Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Augr 4, 1996 Qtr 1, 1997 Qtr 2, 1997 Qtr 3, 1997 Qtr 4, 1997 Qtr 1, 1998 Qtr 2, 1998 Qtr 3, 19

Module 7 Session 7.3 Visual 11

List of critical activitiesID Task name Duration Start Finish Predecessors Total float1 START PROJECT 0d 01/02/97 01/02/97 0w

2 Planning component 10w 01/02/97 03/12/97 0w

3 Produce plan 10w 01/02/97 03/12/97 1 0w

11 Pump procurement component 38w 03/13/97 12/03/97 3 0w

12 Fabricate pump 30w 03/13/97 10/08/97 3 0w

13 Ship pump 8w 10/09/97 12/03/97 12 0w

15 Installation and testing component 8w 12/04/97 01/28/98 0w

16 Install pump 4w 12/04/97 12/31/97 7,13 0w

17 Test pumping system 4w 01/01/98 01/28/98 16,9,10,8 0w

18 PROJECT COMPLETED 0d 01/28/98 01/28/98 17 0w

19

20

21

22

23

24

Module 7 Session 7.3 Visual 12

Calendar for resourceSunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

31 01 02 03 04 05 06

07 08 09 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30 01 02 03 04

Clear and excavate (all required areas), 6w

Clear and excavate (all required areas), 6w

Clear and excavate (all required areas), 6w

Clear and excavate (all required areas), 6w Build pump foundation, 6wBuild headworks, 20w

Install pipeline and valves, 16wInstall electrical requirements, 10w

Build pump foundation, 6wBuild headworks, 20w

Install pipeline and valves, 16wInstall electrical requirements, 10w

Module 7 Session 7.3 Visual 13

Milestone chartID Task name

1 START PROJECT

4 Final plan approved

14 Pump receivedat site

18 PROJECTCOMPLETED

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun5 Qtr 3, 1995 Qtr 4, 1995 Qtr 1, 1996 Qtr 2, 1996 Qtr 3, 1996 Qtr 4, 1996 Qtr 1, 1997 Qtr 2, 1997

Module 7 Session 7.3 Visual 14

Setup tips (default configurations)

Change default settings

Time units (elapsed weeks)

Holiday calendar

Time scale

Numbering system

Resource titles

Module 7 Session 7.3 Visual 15

Treat software as a tool, not panacea Keep perspective Get training Emphasize people, not mechanics Reduce fear Promote acceptance Follow through Give it effort required Stay committed Align with organization Integrate with other systems Cooperate to get data

Implementing PMS software systems

Module 7 Session 7.3 Visual 16

Trends Technology

Wireless Multimedia (voice, images, text, video) Networked Groupware (e-mail, the Web)

Access to information Any time Any place Any team member

Organizations Flat (less hierarchical) Geographically distributed Team based

Module 7 Session 7.3 Visual 17

Module 7

Planning and Scheduling with the Critical Path Method

Session 7.3Module Summary: The Benefits of CPM

Module 7 Session 7.3 Visual 18

Instructional objective

Participants will be able to explain the benefits of the critical path method to their colleagues

Module 7 Session 7.3 Visual 19

Key ideas in module

Planning is essential

Precedence network diagrams are recommended

Project management software is affordable and accessible

Consult with Information Technology specialists when purchasing software

Remember the human factor when using project management software

Module 7 Session 7.3 Visual 20

Benefits of CPM

Definition

Allocation

Simulation

Focus

Control

Communication

Coordination

Commitment

Evaluation

Discipline