Planning is an integrated function that involves both upper and lower level Activity on Arrow Activity on Node

management, as all level of management are equally affected if an alternative plan represents a task, while a node is the completion of a A completion of an activity
is to be executed over the predetermined ones. task- Arrows represent order of events is represented by a node
Project scheduling is concerned with a set of activities that are subject to Dotted arrow: The same situation can be represented by using a special activity
precedence constraints, specifying which jobs have to be completed before a given called a dummy activity. A dummy activity is a hypothetical activity which does
job is allowed to start its processing. not require any type of resource (6m). The duration of dummy activity is zero.
Objectives of scheduling:1. Maximize throughput: to service the largest no of Terms used in Network Analysis
processes per unit time.2. Maximize the number of interactive user receiving Predecessor Activity: An activity that must occur before another activity.
acceptable response times.3. Be predictable: utilise the same time and cost the Successor Activity: An activity that must occur after another activity
load on the system.4. Minimize overhead: minimize the wasted resources Dummy Activity: consumes no time but shows precedence between events.
overhead.5. Balance resource use: mechanisms should keep the resources of the Activity Duration– In CPM: the best estimate of the time to complete an activity
system busy. Processes that will use underutilized resources should be favored. – In PERT: the expected or average time to complete an activity.
6. Achieve a balance between response and utilization: The best way to Optimistic Time– Time for completing an activity if all goes well.
guarantee good response times is to have sufficient resources available Pessimistic Time– Time for completing an activity if all goes wrong.
7. Avoid indefinite postponement : It would be fair if all processes are treated the Most Likely Time–completing an activity that is the consensus best estimate.
same, and no process can suffer indefinite postponement. Expected Time– Average time for completing an activity
8. Enforce Priorities: favor the higher-priority processes. The critical path method (CPM) is a step-by-step technique for process planning
9. Give preference to processes holding key resources: holding a key resource, that defines critical and non-critical tasks with the goal of preventing time-frame
the process may be in demand by high priority processes. problems and process bottlenecks. In applying the CPM, there are several steps:
10. Degrade gracefully under heavy loads: should not collapse heavy load.  Define the required tasks and put them down in an ordered (sequenced) list.
Types of Operations Scheduling are as follows:  Create a flowchart or other diagram showing each task in relation to the others.
1. Forward operations scheduling – Classified on the basis of the time.  Identify the critical and non-critical relationships (paths) among tasks.
 All the activities are scheduled from the date of the planned order release. Key Steps in Critical Path Method: Project planning phase has six steps.
 First task of the job is scheduled. Step 1: Activity specification: You can use the Work Breakdown Structure
 Its subsequent task is scheduled on the scheduled completion of the first task. (WBS) to identify the activities involved in the project. is the main input
2. Backward operations scheduling –-Also classified on the basis of the time. Step 2: Activity sequence establishment: you need to ask three questions for
 -Activities are scheduled from the date or the planned receipt date. each task of your list. Which tasks should take place before this task happens.
 -The last activity is scheduled first. Step 3: Network diagram: Once pactivity sequence is correctly identified,
-Time of the start of the last task is as the time for the start of the previous activity. drawn.
Factors affecting Scheduling (a) External factors: Customer’s demands, Step 4: Estimates for each activity: This could be a direct input from the WBS
Customer’s delivery dates Stock of goods already lying with the dealers and based estimation sheet. Most of the companies use 3-point estimation method
retailers.(b) Internal factors: Stock of finished goods with the firm/Time interval Step 5: Identification of the critical path: Four parameters of each activity of
to process finished goods from raw material/Availability of equipment and the network. *Earliest start time (ES) - The earliest time an activity can start once
machinery, their total capacity and specifications the previous dependent activities are over. *Earliest finish time (EF) - ES +
Methods/Techniques of scheduling: activity duration.*Latest finish time (LF) - The latest time an activity can finish
1. Bar chart (It is known as traditional technique and Gantt Chart). without delaying the project. *Latest start time (LS) - LF - activity duration.
2. Network Technique a. CPM (Critical Path Method) The float time for an activity is the time between the earliest (ES) and the latest
b. PERT(Program Evaluation & Review Technique) (LS) start time or between the earliest (EF) and latest (LF) finish times.
Project Network: is shown with the help of Arrows & Nodes like: The critical path is the longest path of the network diagram.
Arrows- An arrow leads from tail to head directionally – Indicate ACTIVITY Step 6: Critical path diagram to show project progresses
Nodes- A node is represented by a circle- Indicate EVENT