Create a Work Breakdown
Structure (WBS)
All jobs are easier when they are
broken into smaller pieces!
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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
Scheduling Tools
Charts – bar chart that represents the
sequence and duration of activities.
Gantt
A
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B
Activity-on-Nodes – flow charts that represent each
activity with a node (box). This chart is used to
indicate precedence in a meaningful way.
Scheduling
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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)
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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
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Figure 8-1 (p. 154)
Project -> Objectives -> Tasks ->
Activities
Objectives
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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
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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
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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
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Task: Remove old linoleum
Activities:
– Remove baseboard & old linoleum
– Remove fixtures & old countertops
– Dispose of old material
Develop Work Breakdown Structure
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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
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Relationships between activities based on
when they occur in relation to each other.
Logical categories that will influence the
sequencing of activities:
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Technical requirements
Safety and efficiency consideration
Policy or preference decision
Availability of limited resources
Scheduling Tools
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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
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Project: Surprise Party Cake