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Now that you’ve built your work breakdown structure, it’s time to create a project plan and provide

resource estimates.

 

There is no template for the project plan.

 

You MUST deliver your project plan in the form of a Microsoft Project file (.mpp) and a Word document with a screenshot of the Network Diagram and WBS view.

 

Project Plan

There are four planning steps to making a schedule. The details follow.

 

1. Identify Task Relationships

First, you must place the detailed tasks of your WBS, known as work packages, in proper sequence.

Any time you perform a series of tasks there will be sequence constraints (i.e., tasks that must be

performed before you can start other ones). Two different ways of recording sequence constraints are

a predecessor table and a network diagram. There is an example of each of these on page 186 of

your textbook.

 

Note: Task relationships should reflect only sequence constraints between work packages, not

resource constraints. Changing a diagram because of a resource constraint is a common error.

Resources are irrelevant here. The tasks need to be performed in the same sequence, regardless of

resources.

 

2. Estimate Work Packages

Estimate the amount of labor and equipment you need for each detailed task, as well as the duration

of the task.

 

See the Examples Powerpoint for examples.

 

3. Calculate the Initial Schedule

After estimating the duration of each work package and figuring in the duration of tasks, you should

calculate the total duration of the project. This initial schedule, while useful for planning, will need to

be revised further down the line. Calculate the initial schedule by using the network diagram and the

duration of each work package to determine the start and finish dates for each task, and for the entire

project. Schedule calculation provides a set of detailed schedule data for every work package,

including the following four dates: early start, early finish, late start, and late finish. Calculating these

four dates is a three-step process: (1) doing a forward pass, (2) doing a backward pass, and (3)

calculating float.

 

See the Examples Powerpoint for examples.

 

4. Assign and Level Resources

Adjust the schedule to account for resource constraints. Reschedule tasks to optimize the use of

people and equipment on the project. The assumption is, whenever possible, it is most productive to

have consistent, continuous use of the fewest resources possible.

 

See the Examples Powerpoint for examples.

 

 

 

 

Grading of the Project Schedule

Your deliverable is a Gantt chart using MS Project software. By using MS Project, you HAVE to

be able to see your network diagram as well. You need to match up your Gantt chart

with your earlier WBS. Follow your WBS to lay out the work packages over time in a

feasible schedule so they can be executed. Also, allocate a budget and build a schedule

based on constraints of the resources and the precedence relationships that exist in the network

diagram.

 

Before delivering your schedule, MAKE SURE YOUR SCHEDULE answers the following questions:

• Does it contain a well-formed Gantt chart?

• Does the schedule meet the constraints posed by your resource estimates and precedence

relationships?

• Does the schedule execute the project as defined in the WBS?

• Are the precedence relationships realistic?

• Is the schedule realistic regarding planned duration and effort for work packages?

 

Resource Estimates

Once you make your schedule, include resource estimates. For these estimates, you need to make sure you see if you have dealt with the realistic issues of associating resources with each work package.

 

Use the provided template to show the loading of resources to work packages. The total budget is

fixed and stated in the project description. The resources are of two types: the staff-days of the five

staff members (do not convert to dollars) and the $200K nonlabor resources.

 

Grading of the Resource Estimates

Before delivering your resource estimates, ask yourself the following questions:

• Did you use the template?

• Are the allocations of resources to work packages realistic (including whether the loadings

reflect the major areas of emphasis in your project plan) and feasible?

• Did you keep within the overall total project budget?

 

Assignment Instructions

1.     This is NOT an essay. You must complete the assignment as individual sections and in BULLET POINT sentences.