After creating a project and project WBS, create the expected
schedule.
Schedules
As a project manager, you can track three types of schedules
- expected, planned, and actual. Each of these schedules are created
at a specific stage during project planning and execution. A schedule
comprises the start date, finish date, duration, and effort.
Schedule calculation
The schedule for WBS elements refers to the start date,
finish date, duration, and effort information. The schedule calculation
includes the working days and hours that are specified in the project
calendar. In a WBS structure, the schedule for a parent element is
determined by the schedules of its child elements.
Assigning dates and duration to WBS elements
You can assign expected start and finish dates, and duration
to leaf-level WBS elements (elements that do not have any child elements).
You can enter values for any two of the fields - start date, finish
date, and duration - and the third field is calculated and displayed.
Calculation of dates and duration is done based on the available working
days specified in the project calendar.
Viewing and managing schedules in the Gantt chart
A Gantt chart provides a graphical representation of a
WBS, the schedule information, and work completion status. The Gantt
chart is available in the Schedule Gantt viewlet in the Work view.
You can use it to view project schedules by different timelines and
for the current day. You can also use the chart to modify project
schedules, and view the work completion status.
Creating and managing dependencies
Dependencies define temporal relationships between tasks
that are logically related to each other. Dependencies are defined
using precedence and succession relationships. For example,
use a Finish-to-Start dependency to schedule a test plan verification
task to start after the test plan creation task is complete.
Constraints
A constraint is a limitation placed on a project task to
determine the start or end of the task. Constraints can take the form
of fixed imposed dates for a task. For example, a project manager
can assign a specific finish date for a task without allowing the
dates to be determined by the planning process.
Applying constraints
You can apply constraints to a project task to impose a
fixed start or finish date for the task. Use the constraint types
'As soon as possible' and 'Finish no later than'.
Critical path
A critical path is the sequence of schedule activities
used to determine the duration for the project. Generally the critical
path is the longest path through the project, and determines the shortest
time possible to complete the project. Activities on the critical
path must be completed according to the planned schedule
for the project to be completed on schedule. Any delay of an activity
on the critical path affects the project finish date. The critical
path is an important decision-making input that helps project managers
to prepare and track a project schedule, plan for resources, and to
take remedial action if a project deviates from the planned schedule.
Viewing the critical path
Critical path refers to the sequence of activities that
must be completed on schedule for the entire project to be completed
on schedule. Usually, the critical path is the longest path through
the project. You can view the critical path in the Gantt chart.
Creating and reviewing schedule baselines
Project baselines are approved project plans that are used
to measure and control activities during project execution. Managers
use schedule baselines to analyze project progress and to forecast
project outcome by comparing current plans with the baseline information.