Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling, Tenth Edition

Network Scheduling Techniques

12.0 INTRODUCTION

PMBOK^® Guide, 4th Edition

Chapter 6 Project Time Management

Management is continually seeking new and better control techniques to cope with the complexities, masses of data, and tight deadlines that are characteristic of highly competitive industries. Managers also want better methods for presenting technical and cost data to customers.

PMBOK^® Guide, 4th Edition

6.1.3.3 Milestone Lists

Scheduling techniques help achieve these goals. The most common techniques are:

• Gantt or bar charts

PMBOK^® Guide, 4th Edition

6.2 Activity Sequencing

• Milestone charts
• Line of balance¹
• Networks
• Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)
• Arrow Diagram Method (ADM) [Sometimes called the Critical Path Method (CPM)]²
• Precedence Diagram Method (PDM)
• Graphical Evaluation and Review Technique (GERT)

Advantages of network scheduling techniques include:

• They form the basis for all planning and predicting and help management decide how to use its resources to achieve time and cost goals.
• They provide visibility and enable management to control “one-of-a-kind” programs.
• They help management evaluate alternatives by answering such questions as how time delays will influence project completion, where slack exists between elements, and what elements ...