Module 7 Session 7.3 Visual 1 Module 7 Planning and Scheduling with the Critical Path Method Session 7.3 The 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 Project data Personal computer Printer CPM software 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) IDTask name 1 START PROJECT 2Planning component 3 Produce plan 4 Final plan approved 5Construction component 6 Clear and excavate (all required areas) 7 Build pump foundation 8 Build headworks 9 Install pipeline and valves 10 Install electrical requirements 11Pump procurement component 12 Fabricate pump 13 Ship pump 14 Pump received at site 15Installation and testing component 16 Install pump 17 Test pumping system 18 PROJECT COMPLETED NovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay Qtr 4, 1996Qtr 1, 1997Qtr 2, 1997Qtr 3, 1997Qtr 4, 1997Qtr 1, 1998Qtr 2, 1998

Module 7 Session 7.3 Visual 8 Precedence diagram (PERT chart) Clear and excavate (all required areas) 36w START PROJECT 10d Produce pump 210w Fabricate pump 830w Ship pump 98w Install pump 104w Test pumping system 114w PROJECT COMPLETED 120d Build pump foundation 46w Build headworks 520w Install pipeline and valves 616w Install electrical requirements 710w

Module 7 Session 7.3 Visual 9 Time-scaled precedence diagram IDTask name 1 START PROJECT 2Planning component 3 Produce plan 4 Final plan approval 5Construction component 6 Clear and excavate (all required areas) 7 Build pump foundation 8 Build headworks 9 Install pipeline and valves 10 Install electrical requirements 11Pump procurement component 12 Fabricate pump 13 Ship pump 14 Pump received at site 15Installation and testing component 16 Install pump 17 Test pumping system 18 PROJECT COMPLETED OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJul Qtr 4, 1996Qtr 1, 1997Qtr 2, 1997Qtr 3, 1997Qtr 4, 1997Qtr 1, 1998Qtr 2, 1998Q

Module 7 Session 7.3 Visual 10 Tracking Gantt chart IDTask name 1 START PROJECT 2Planning component 3 Produce plan 4 Final plan approval 5Construction Component 6 Clear and excavate (all required areas) 7 Build pump foundation 8 Build headworks 9 Install pipeline and valves 10 Install electrical requirements 11Pump procurement component 12 Fabricate pump 13 Ship pump 14 Pump received at site 15Installation and testing component 16 Install pump 17 Test pumping system 18 PROJECT COMPLETED START PROJECT 100% Final plan approval 100% 60% 70% 100% 50% 0% Pump received at site 0% PROJECT COMPLETED NovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAug r 4, 1996Qtr 1, 1997Qtr 2, 1997Qtr 3, 1997Qtr 4, 1997Qtr 1, 1998Qtr 2, 1998Qtr 3, 19

Module 7 Session 7.3 Visual 11 List of critical activities

Module 7 Session 7.3 Visual 12 Calendar for resource SundayMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturday Clear and excavate (all required areas), 6w Build pump foundation, 6w Build headworks, 20w Install pipeline and valves, 16w Install electrical requirements, 10w Build pump foundation, 6w Build headworks, 20w Install pipeline and valves, 16w Install electrical requirements, 10w

Module 7 Session 7.3 Visual 13 Milestone chart

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 ( , 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 7.3 Module 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