![]() ![]() The Critical Path is defined as the longest path through the network, which means it defines the minimum completion date of the project. In the absence of other project management software you could use Microsoft Excel to produce a network diagram, like this: Of course, the graphical representation of tasks is also very helpful to envision the project and ensure the relationships between each task are correct. Next, the network diagram is used to produce the following two pieces of data: This process is called Bottom Up Estimating, whereby each task is estimated individually and then aggregated into the overall project estimate. Also, if the project deadline is defined as a certain day (as it almost always is) then project control will be very complicated if you’re tracking against some other unit. The reason for this is that the graphical bar chart that is coming up in a few steps will require days as the x-axis, there is no other unit that works well. Unless there’s a reason not to, use the units of days, not hours, weeks, cubic metres of excavation, or anything else. Each task has one duration estimate value, which can be added to the bottom of the table: 210 Pour Concrete Once this table has been produced, the durations must be estimated. Although the resources are finalized during the later step called Resource Levelling, one could spot the major gaps in resource availability at this step and set task durations accordingly. Maybe you need a new printer to produce a large report but you purchase one that prints too slow and it severely bogs down the production process.Įach resource contains a resource calendar, which is, like it sounds, a calendar which shows the availability of the resource. For example, you might know you need a crane, but how big of a crane? (I’ve seen the wrong size crane arrive at a site – I’m sure that cost the project some monopoly money). It is not only important to know what resources you need, but what their minimum specifications are. Also, you must know the fine print, or else the costs might not nearly be as “fixed” as you think. This is a double edged sword, as a subcontractor’s costs are fixed, but they take responsibility for the schedule and quality of work away from you. Fixed cost items, such as a subcontractor.If the project needs to purchase materials, their cost is often easy to estimate from published rates, or quotes can be obtained from suppliers. Often equipment is sourced at hourly rates, or internally owned equipment has an hourly rate applied to it. Also, for knowledge workers such as engineers, the addition of more of them tends to slow down decision making, negating some of the productivity gains. senior laborers have varying levels of productivity. It’s easy to assume all labor is the same, but make sure you consider that experience and knowledge level vary drastically. This usually takes the form of hours or days assigned to the task or project. ![]() To estimate resources, here’s a typical table that would be produced for each task: 210 Pour Concrete Once the project has been divided into tasks, each task must be estimated. For example, there could be a column called “Subcontractor”: Task List The task list can also contain “activity attributes,” which identify meta-level information about the task. ![]() Task ListĪ graphical style is sometimes helpful, but not a necessity: This is also called a work breakdown structure. Here’s a hypothetical task list for a driveway construction project. For example, excavation and pouring concrete might have separate responsible parties (contractors, etc.) and should therefore be separate tasks. ![]() Ideally, each task should have one responsible party and be easy to estimate. The first requirement is to divide the project into tasks, also known as activities. Project managers must be constantly aware which sequence of events determines the final completion of their project, or agile iteration, and focus on those more than the others.Ĭalculating the critical path involves the following 6 steps: Yes, it’s a hard number, that is, a calculation that results in a completion date for a set of tasks. In this day of agile project management, critical paths are as important as ever. Every profession has a unique way of thinking, a perspective that must be adopted to practice it well, and project management is no different. ![]()
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