What is a Project?

m
An interrelated set of activities with a
r
tf o
definite starting and ending point, which
l a
results in a unique outcome for a specific
P
allocation of resources.
B A
Copyright © BA.Platform.tn
Defining the Work Breakdown Structure

• Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

r m
– A statement of all work that must be
completed. tf o
l a
• Activity
P
B A
– The smallest unit of work effort consuming
both time and resources that the project
manager can schedule and control.
Copyright © BA.Platform.tn
Work Breakdown
Structure
r m
St. John’s Hospital
tf o
Project
l a
P
B A
Work Breakdown Structure Copyright © BA.Platform.tn
Diagramming the Network (1 of 2)

r
Network Diagram – A visual display designed tom
tf o
depict the relationships between activities, that
l a
consist of nodes (circles) and arcs (arrows)
– P (PERT)
Program Evaluation and Review Technique
– Critical Path Method (CPM)
B A
Copyright © BA.Platform.tn
Diagramming the Network (2 of 2)

• Precedence relationship

r m
– A relationship that determines a sequence for undertaking

tf o
activities; it specifies that one activity cannot start until
a preceding activity has been completed.
l a
• Estimating Activity Times
– Statistical methods
P
– Learning curve models
B A
– Managerial opinions

Copyright © BA.Platform.tn
Example 1 (1 of 3)

• Judy Kramer, the project manager for the St. John’s Hospital project, divided
the project into two major modules.
r m
tf o
• She assigned John Stewart the overall responsibility for the Organizing and
Site Preparation module and Sarah Walker the responsibility for the
Physical Facilities and Infrastructure module.
l a
P
• Using the WBS shown in the previous Figure (see slide 7), the project team
developed:
– The precedence relationships,
B A
– activity time estimates,
– and activity responsibilities shown in the following table.

Copyright © BA.Platform.tn
Example 1 (2 of 3)
Immediate
Activity Activity Times (wks) Responsibility
Predecessors
St. John’s Hospital Project blank blank Kramer
Start blank 0 blank
Organizing and Site Preparation
A. Select administrative staff
blank
Start
blank
12
r m Stewart
Johnson
B. Select site and survey
C. Select medical equipment
Start
A
tf
9
10
o Taylor
Adams
D. Prepare final construction plans B
l a 10 Taylor
E. Bring utilities to site
F. Interview applicants for nursing and support staff
B
A
P 24
10
Burton
Johnson
Physical Facilities and Infrastructure
G. Purchase and deliver equipment
H. Construct hospital
B
C
D
A
blank blank
35
40
Walke
Sampson
Casey
I. Develop information system A 15 Murphy
J. Install medical equipment E,G,H 4 Pike
K. Train nurses and support staff F, I, J 6 Ashton
Finish K 0 blank
Example 1 (3 of 3)
Figure 7.2 Network Showing Activity Times for the St. John’s Hospital Project

r m
tf o
l a
P
B A
Copyright © BA.Platform.tn
Developing the Project Schedule

• Path
r m
– The sequence of activities between a project’s
start and finish. tf o
l a
• Critical Path
P
– The sequence of activities between a project’s

B A
start and finish that takes the longest time to
complete.
Copyright © BA.Platform.tn
Example 2 (2 of 6)

Paths are the sequence of activities between a project’s

start and finish.
r m
tf o
Path
A-I-K
Time (wks)
33
l a
A-F-K 28
P
A
A-C-G-J-K 67
B-D-H-J-K 69
B-E-J-K 43
B
Copyright © BA.Platform.tn