Schedule Management

Schedule management encompasses the processes required to ensure timely completion of the project. The APM BoK 8 describes schedule management as including the identification of all required activities, their logical sequencing, duration estimation, resource requirement assessment, and the creation of the schedule baseline.

Key scheduling techniques tested in APM PMQ include network analysis (CPM/CPA), critical path identification, float calculation, and resource levelling. Earned Value Management (EVM) is also examined as an integrated technique for measuring schedule and cost performance.

Key Points

• Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) provides the basis for scheduling
• Critical Path Method (CPM): identifies the longest path through the network
• Float (slack) = Latest Start minus Earliest Start (for any activity)
• Critical path activities have zero float — any delay delays the project
• Forward pass calculates Earliest Start/Finish times
• Backward pass calculates Latest Start/Finish times
• Resource levelling smooths resource demand at the expense of float
• Earned Value: SV = EV - PV (negative = behind schedule)
• Schedule Performance Index: SPI = EV/PV (< 1.0 = behind schedule)

Key Terms & Definitions

Critical Path

The sequence of activities that determines the earliest completion of the project; any delay to critical activities delays the project.

Float (Total Float)

The amount of time an activity can be delayed without delaying the project end date.

Earned Value (EV)

The budgeted cost of work performed — the value of work actually done.

Planned Value (PV)

The budgeted cost of work scheduled — the value of work that should have been done.

Schedule Variance (SV)

EV minus PV. Negative indicates behind schedule.

Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

A hierarchical decomposition of the total scope of work to be carried out by the project team to accomplish project objectives.

Milestone

A significant event or achievement in the project, used to measure progress.