Project Planning
project planning.doc 1 (Project) Planning Tools
(PROJECT) PLANNING TOOLS
Gantt Charts
Popular tool for planning and scheduling simple projects.
Enables manager to schedule project activities and monitor progress over time
by comparing planned progress to actual progress.
To prepare a Gantt Chart need to:
1. Identify major activities
2. Estimate how long each activity will take to complete
3. Indicate the sequence of activities
4. Determine when they should occur
Gantt Chart Example
A company is going to set up a new office. The following activities and how
long they will take have been identified:
Activity Duration
Locate new office space 7 days
Interview new staff 3 days
Hire and train new staff 8 days
Select and order furniture 5 days
Redecorate new office 10 days
Receive and setup furniture 3 days
Move in and start up 1 day
Key activities, events or deadlines called milestones can be included.
project planning.doc 2 (Project) Planning Tools
Gantt Chart
Planned activities
Days
Activity 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Locate
Interview
Hire & train
Order furniture
Redecorate
Get furniture
Move in
This gives an indication of when each activity should start and how long it should take.
Comparing actual progress to planned activities
Days
Activity 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Locate
Interview
Hire & train
Order furniture
Redecorate
Get furniture
Move in
Progress to date
Today
project planning.doc 3 (Project) Planning Tools
Advantage: Simple
Disadvantage: Doesn’t show full relationships between different activities
• Want to know which activities must be completed before others can start
• Want to know which activities can be delayed without affecting overall
project
• Want to know which activities are critical and must be completed on time
Project Management Tools
Critical Path Analysis
Network Analysis
PERT and CPM
Both are network techniques for planning, evaluating and coordinating large
projects. Both techniques...
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