Software project scheduling and software project scheduling techniques

 

Software project scheduling and software project scheduling techniques

 Software project  scheduling is one of the most difficult tasks of project management.It involves separating the total work involved in a project into separate tasks and assessing when these tasks will be completed.Some of these tasks are carried out in parallel.Project schedulers must coordinate these parallel tasks and organize the work so that the workforce is used optimally.

There are many techniques for estimating the time and resources required for a project.estimates of the time and resources required for a development project are almost always optimistic especially when the system being developed is technologically advanced or is significantly different from other projects that the organization has developed.

Project scheduling activities

• Identify all tasks and activities within the project.
• Identify dependencies among the activities.A unit must be tested before it can be integrated into the system.
• Estimates the resources(time) required for each activity.
• Allocate people to activities.
• Determine the order of activities.
• Estimate the resources required for the entire development project.

Software project scheduling techniques

• Work breakdown structure.
• Activity charts.
• Project evaluation review technique.
• Gantt charts
• Critical path method(CPM).

Work breakdown stucture

Work breakdown structure is a hierarchic decomposition or breakdown of a project.Most project control techniques are based on splitting the goal of the project into several intermediate goals.Each intermediate goal can in turn be split further.Each goal can be individual planned for its resource requirements,Assignment of responsibilities,scheduling.

Activity network

Activity network of tasks needed to complete a project showing the order in which the tasks need to be completed and the dependencies between them.Total time for activities on this path is greater than any other path through the network(delay is any task on the critical path leads to a delay in the project). 

Project evaluation review technique(PERT)

A PERT chart is a project management tool used to schedule,organize and coordinate tasks within a project.PERT chart is a network of tasks needed to complete a project showing the order in which the tasks needed to complete a project showing the order in which the tasks need to completed and the dependencies between them.PERT chart depict task,duration and dependency information.

Gantt chart

A gantt chart is useful for tracking and reporting progress as well as for graphically displaying a schedule. Gantt chart provides a graphical illustration of a schedule that helps to plan,coordinate and track specific tasks in a project.Purpose of a gantt chart is to present a project schedule that shows the relationship of activities over time.

Critical path method

CPM acts as the basis both for preparation of a schedule and of resource planning.During management of a project it allows to monitor the achievements of project goals.Critical path is a path of longest duration as determined on a project network diagram.The critical path determines the total duration of the project.If a task on the critical path is delayed the final completion of the project will likely be delayed.