Scheduling tasks

1
Scheduling tasks

• Unit objectives
• Create task relationships by linking, add
  predecessors and lead time to tasks, and add
  recurring tasks
• Explore Network Diagram view and modify the task
  relationships in it
• Use the Task Information dialog box to add
  advanced task information

2
Topic A

• Topic A Explain scheduling
• Topic B Setting up task links
• Topic C Working in Network Diagram view
• Topic D Working with advanced task options

3
Project Control

•  
• Purpose
•         To ensure that project is completed on
  time, on budget and with the stated quality
  objectives.
•  
•        To take corrective action when
  necessary.
•  
•        Tell the Project Sponsor the bad news!
•  

4
Project Control

• Issues
•        Technical difficulties resources, time
•        Scope creep
•        Initial estimates too low
•        Poor/untimely reporting
•        Inadequate budget
•        Standard costs change
•        Task sequencing wrong
•        Resources not available material,
  personnel or equipment

5
Scheduling tasks

• Scheduling
•  
• Determine realistic start and end dates for every
  task and ultimately the date of final delivery
•  
• The schedule is the key to controlling and
  monitoring the progress of the project
•  

6
Scheduling tasks

• Variables
•  
•       Resource
•       Time required to complete the task
•       Predecessors
•       Lag time
•       Working time, non-working time,
  vacations, courses, illness
•       Availability

7
Scheduling tasks

• Benefits of Scheduling Diagrams
•  
•        Illustrates the interdependence of tasks
•        Enhances communications
•        Identifies the critical activities and
  dates
•        Identifies slack these activities can
  be delayed with no penalty

8
Topic A

• Topic A Explain scheduling
• Topic B Setting up task links
• Topic C Working in Network Diagram view
• Topic D Working with advanced task options

9
Task links

• Dependencies between tasks define how they are
  related or linked
• By default, all tasks have a Finish-to-Start link
• Predecessor tasks are tasks that must start or
  finish before another task can begin
• Successor tasks are the tasks that cannot begin
  or finish until another task is complete

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Linking tasks

• To link tasks
• Select the tasks and choose Edit, Link Tasks
• Click
• or
• Press CtrlF2
• To unlink tasks
• Select the tasks and choose Edit, Unlink Tasks
• or
• Click

11
Activity A-1
Linking and unlinking tasks
12
Changing predecessors

• Double-click the task whose predecessor is to be
  modified
• Activate the Predecessors tab
• Type the task ID of the task that you want to act
  as predecessor
• Click OK

13
Lead versus lag time

• Lag time is a delay that adds extra time after a
  task is complete
• Lead time is the overlap between dependent tasks
• Lead time is entered as a negative number, and
  lag time is entered as a positive number

14
Adding lag or lead time

• Double-click the link line between the tasks
• Specify the amount of time in the Lag box
• To enter lead time, enter a negative value
• To enter lag time, enter a positive value

15
Task Dependency dialog box
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Displaying the Go To dialog box

• Choose Edit, Go To
• Press F5
• Press CtrlG

17
Topic B

• Topic A Setting up task links
• Topic B Working in Network Diagram view
• Topic C Working with advanced task options

18
Zooming Network Diagram view

• Choose View, Zoom and select a zoom size
• or
• Click

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Network Diagram view, reduced to 25
20
Task dependencies

• Finish-to-Start (FS)
• Start-to-Start (SS)
• Finish-to-Finish (FF)
• Start-to-Finish (SF)

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Activity B-2
Modifying links in Network Diagram view
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Topic C

• Topic A Setting up task links
• Topic B Working in Network Diagram view
• Topic C Working with advanced task options

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Task types

• Fixed duration
• Time value is constant, even if you add resources
  to the task
• Fixed work
• The total work to be performed has a constant
  value equal to the sum of the resources used on
  that task
• Fixed unit
• There is a constant measure of resource value

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Milestone tasks

• Milestone tasks represent the completion of major
  phases of a project
• To set a milestone task
• In the Task Information dialog box, verify that
  the Advanced tab is activated
• Enter the duration
• Check Mark task as Milestone
• Click OK

25
Task constraints

• Limitation imposed on tasks in a project
• Used to control the start and finish dates of a
  task
• Affect the project schedule, duration, and
  flexibility

26
Setting up a task constraint

• Select the task
• In the Task Information dialog box, select the
  constraint type
• Enter the constraint date
• Click OK

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Types of constraints

• As Late As Possible
• As Soon As Possible
• Finish No Earlier Than
• Finish No Later Than
• Must Finish On
• Must Start On
• Start No Earlier Than
• Start No Later Than

28
Unit summary

• Created task relationships by linking, added
  predecessors and lead time to tasks, and added
  recurring tasks
• Explored Network Diagram view and modified the
  task relationships in it
• Used the Task Information dialog box to add
  advanced task information

29
Independent Practice Activity

• Exercise is on Last page of Unit 3
• Use file on K Fulltime/MsProject2005/IT_Managemen
  t/Unit_03/Practice Linking
• Answer on K, same place Practice Linking Answer