Page 146 - DCAP304_DCAP515_SOFTWARE_PROJECT_MANAGEMENT

Software Project Management Deepak Mehta, Lovely Professional University

Notes Unit 7: Activity Planning

CONTENTS
Objectives
Introduction

7.1 Aim of Activity Planning
7.2 Project Schedule
7.2.1 Schedule Inputs

7.2.2 Scheduling Tools
7.2.3 Project Review
7.3 Summary
7.4 Keywords
7.5 Review Questions

7.6 Further Readings

Objectives

After studying this unit, you will be able to:

 Recognize the meaning and scope of activity planning
 Describe the goals and objectives of project schedule
Introduction

Careful planning up front in your software project reduces the risk of costly rework or failure
down the road. A series of planning activities must be completed before the project moves
forward. Project sponsors frequently minimize the value of planning, desiring instead to get the
project underway immediately. As project manager, your job is to act in the best interest of your
sponsor, even if that means standing firm while you develop your project plan.

7.1 Aim of Activity Planning

Project time management includes two high-level groups of processes for planning and
scheduling project activities and tasks necessary for timely completion of the project. Project
activities planning and scheduling is the first process group of project time management.
Developing the project implementation schedule is the second group. In this unit we will review
the planning and scheduling process group. We will talk about the key actions the project
manager must take to undertake project activities planning and scheduling in an efficient manner.
Review Scope

Dick Billows, project management consultant and trainer at 4PM, recommends nailing down the
project scope before anything else. The scope outlines the main objectives and establishes
boundaries for the project. Boundaries are important to frame the project by detailing what
things are inside and outside the scope of the project.

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