Difference between Gantt Chart and Network Diagram - Assignment Example

Difference between Gantt Chart and Network Diagram Part 5: Gantt chart Displaying Task Column Figures 1.1, 1.2 and1.3 shows screen shots of the Gantt chart and Task Column for the combined projects before the durations were inserted. The major sections follow the project life cycle from initiation to closing as well as the sub-tasks under these major phases. Figure 1.1 - Tasks 1.1 to 3.4.2 Figure 1.1 shows outlines of activities for two complete phases of the project life cycle (1.0 Initiation and 2.0 Planning) and part of phase 3 – Execution). During the initiation phase the project manager is assigned (1.1), stakeholders are identified (1.2), the business case and business case financials (1.3) along with a project charter (1.4) are prepared. The planning (2.0) phase is where a project management plan is prepared. This plan helps the project manager to control the project in order to ensure that all budget over-runs are identified early. In this phase a scope statement (2.1), a work breakdown structure (2.2), and a schedule of time and cost information are prepared. The execution (3.0) phase is where the actual project work starts. A survey (3.1) is done and user information is recorded (3.2 User Input). The survey information relate to the four projects combined. The information from the survey is then used to determine the contents of each sub-project (3.3 and 3.4) as shown in Figure 1.1. Details of the activities of other sub-projects (part of 3.4 and 3.5 and 3.6) are shown in Figure 1.2. Figure 1.2 – Tasks 3.4.3 to 5.1 Figure 1.2 shows part of the execution phase planning, the controlling (4.0) phase, and part of the closing (5.0) phase. An outline of a portion of the tasks to be completed in sub-projects 2 (3.4.3 and 3.4.4), the tasks for sub-projects 3 (3.5) and 4 (3.6) are provided. It shows parts of section 3.4 and sections 3.5 and 3.6. The screen shot shows that the contents have to be determined (3.5.1 and 3.5.2), items have to be procured (3.5.2 and 3.6.3) before or after the system is designed (3.5.3 and 3.6.2) before the application is developed. After the system is developed it has to be tested and debugged. Figure 1.2 also shows the controlling (4.0) phase where the work is monitored in order to control quality and cost and time over-run. In controlling the work adequate monitoring has to be done. Each of the sub-projects are reviewed (4.1.1) and feedback id provided (4.1.2). The technical personnel are then required to make changes (4.1.3). After the changes are made a status report is prepared. When all matters are addressed and the project is accepted, the final phase – closing (5.0) is attained. The final project report (5.1) is prepared. Figure 1.3 – Tasks 5.2 to 5.3 Figure 1.3 shows the final two tasks of the project in the closing phase. The users of the systems are trained (5.2) and the lessons that have been learned (5.3) are recorded. Part 6: Gantt chart and Network Diagram The Gantt chart and the network diagram are critical tools in project management. They are used to schedule the activities to be performed. Their use in this complex project is especially important. Part 6a: Gantt chart The Gantt chart is a graphical illustration of the calendar of events (activities) relating to the project. It shows the time that each activity will take, when the activities will start and when they will finish. The resources are allocated based on the time and financial resources available. The network diagram is then prepared from that information. The Screen shots identified as Figures 2.1 to 2.3 shows screen shots of various activities at different stages in the life cycle of the project. The controlling phase was revised to show separate activities for reviewing the sub-projects, obtaining feedback and making changes. These activities were not separated on the work breakdown structure (WBS). Figure 2.1 – Gantt Chart Figure 2.1 shows the period from January 2 to June 30 from initiation to when sub-project 2 is designed. It shows the team members involved and the time that they are expected to spend on the job. Figure 2.2 – Gantt chart Figure 2.2 shows the period January to June 30. However, it focuses on periods 22 to 43 – the period from the design of sub-project 2 to the end of the controlling phase. The Gantt chart also shows the team members who will be performing the related activities. Figure 2.3 – Gantt chart Figure 2.3 shows the Gantt chart of activities from April to June 30 for different aspects of the controlling stage. Part 6b: Network diagram The network diagram shows the critical path of the project which is the longest duration through the project. The critical path is determined through a process of forward and backward pass which determines the earliest start and finishing time for each activity, and the latest start and finishing time for each activity. On the critical path the earliest and latest start times are the same and the earliest and latest finish times are the same. All items on that path have to be completed on time if the budget time and cost are to be fulfilled. Figures 3.1 to 3.19 shows screen shots of all the activities. Each node shows the name to the activity, the start date, the finish date, the duration and the team member to be engaged. The red line and boxes indicate the critical path and the activities that need to be completed on time. The parallelograms are the summary activities and the rectangles are the actual tasks to be completed. The blue lines and boxes show tasks that are not critical to project. However, they need to be completed before the activities they precede. The critical path shown in the Network diagram are Activities 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3.1, 2.3.2, 2.3.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.6.1, 3.6.2, 3.6.3, 3.6.4, 3.6.5, 4.1.1.4, 4.1.1.4, 4.1.2.4, 4.1.3.4, 4.2, 5.1, and 5.3. If these tasks are not finished on time the project will be delayed and this will require more resources to complete. Figure 3.1 Network Diagram Figure 3.2 Network Diagram Figure 3.3 – Network Diagram Figure 3.4 Network Diagram Figure 3.5 Network Diagram Figure 3.6 Network Diagram Figure 3.7 Network Diagram Figure 3.8 Network Diagram Figure 3.9 Network Diagram Figure 3.10 Network Diagram Figure 3.11 Network Diagram Figure 3.12 – Network Diagram Figure 3.13 Network Diagram Figure 3.14 – Network Diagram Figure 3.14 Network Diagram Figure 3.15 Network Diagram Figure 3.16 – Network Diagram Figure 3.17 – Network Diagram Figure 3.18 Network Diagram Figure 3.19 –Network Diagram Figure 3.19 – Network Diagram A total of 13 team members will be involved in the project. The project manager will spend 304 hours on the job, the IT trainer 440 hours, IT designer 1 – 112 hours, T designer 2 192 hours, IT programmer 2 – 592 hours, IT programmer 1 – 592 hours, IT programmer 3 – 480 hours, IT senior 1 - 136 hours, IT senior 2 – 88 hours, IT senior 3 – 8 hours, the program manager 40 hours, the accountant 32 hours, and the procurement officer 64 hours. The project managers tasks overlap and so over-time may be necessary to complete the tasks allotted to that role. The tasks that over-lap are similar and this should not pose a problem for the project manager. Read More