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ACTIVITY PLANNING
Activity planning is a critical component of
software project management, ensuring that the project is completed on time and within budget while meeting the specified requirements. This involves defining activities, establishing a project schedule, and using various models to manage and optimize project timelines. Objectives: The primary objectives of activity planning in software project management include: Defining Activities: Breaking down the project into manageable tasks and activities. Sequencing Activities: Determining the order of activities based on dependencies and project requirements. Estimating Resources: Identifying the resources required for each activity, including personnel, tools, and time. Allocating Time: Assigning start and end times to each activity to ensure a logical flow and efficient use of resources.
Setting Milestones: Establishing significant points in the project
timeline to measure progress and ensure alignment with goals Project Schedule: A project schedule is a detailed plan that outlines all activities, their durations, and the sequence in which they will be performed. Key components include: Task List: A comprehensive list of all tasks and activities required to complete the project. Dependencies: Relationships between tasks that dictate the order in which they must be completed. Duration Estimates: The amount of time each task is expected to take. Milestones: Significant events or achievements in the project timeline. Gantt Chart: A visual representation of the project schedule, showing tasks, durations, and dependencies. Network Planning Model: Network planning models are used to represent the sequence and interdependencies of project activities. The most commonly used models are: Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT): Uses probabilistic time estimates to account for uncertainty in activity durations. It helps in identifying the minimum time needed to complete a project by calculating the expected time for each activity. Critical Path Method (CPM): Focuses on identifying the longest sequence of dependent tasks (the critical path) that determines the minimum project duration. CPM uses deterministic time estimates and is ideal for projects with well-defined tasks and timelines. Time Dimension: The time dimension in project management refers to the scheduling aspect, which includes: Start and Finish Times: The specific times when each task begins and ends. Float/Slack Time: The amount of time a task can be delayed without affecting the overall project completion date. Lead and Lag Time: Lead time allows for tasks to overlap, while lag time inserts delays between tasks. Identifying Critical Path: The critical path is the sequence of activities that determines the shortest possible duration to complete a project. Identifying the critical path involves: Listing Activities: Identifying all tasks involved in the project. Determining Dependencies: Establishing the relationships and dependencies between tasks. Estimating Duration: Assigning time estimates to each task. Constructing the Network Diagram: Creating a visual representation of the task sequence and dependencies. Calculating the Critical Path: Using algorithms to determine the longest path through the network diagram, which represents the critical path. This includes: • Forward Pass: Calculating the earliest start and finish times for each task. • Backward Pass: Determining the latest start and finish times that will not delay the project. • Identifying Float: Calculating the float for each task to understand flexibility. The critical path has zero float, meaning any delay in these tasks directly impacts the project completion date. Effective management of the critical path ensures timely project delivery.