Kardan University
Department of MSCEM
Course Title:
Project Planning and Scheduling
Course Code:
[Link].0213
Assignment Title:
Project Planning and Scheduling – Assignments 1 to 4
Submitted By:
Name: Enayatullah Akbari
Roll No.: 11
Program/Semester: MSCEM, 2nd Semester
Submitted To:
Instructor: Dr. Rustam HAFIZYAR
Submission Date: 28 September 2025
1st Assignment
Q1. Define project planning and scheduling. Differentiate between
the two terms.
Answer:
Project Planning: The process of defining what work will be done, how
it will be executed, where, by whom, and at what cost. It includes
scope, methodology, resources, and budget.
Project Scheduling: The process of determining when each planned
activity will occur and establishing the logical sequence between activities,
typically represented as a timeline.
Difference: Planning defines the scope and execution approach, while
scheduling assigns timeframes and sequences to the planned activities.
Q2. Define project. What makes planning and scheduling
construction projects different from general planning?
Answer:
Project: A project is a temporary endeavor with a defined start and
finish, producing a unique product, service, or result.
Construction-specific Differences: Construction projects are influenced
by site conditions, regulatory codes, weather, labor availability,
material supply, and stakeholder requirements. Each construction
project is unique and time-sensitive, requiring specialized planning and
scheduling to address these uncertainties.
Q3. What is a project management plan? Give an example.
Answer:
A project management plan is a document that outlines how the project
will be executed, monitored, and controlled, including scope, schedule,
cost, quality, roles, and risk management.
Example: For a five-story office building:
Scope definition
Master schedule
Procurement plan
Quality plan
Communication procedures
Q4. What is project control? Why is it important?
Answer:
Project control involves monitoring performance against the baseline
schedule and budget, identifying variances, and implementing
corrective actions.
Importance: It ensures that the project remains on schedule, within
budget, and aligned with the defined scope.
Q5. Meet with a project manager for a construction project. Ask
whether CPM scheduling is used. Discuss the benefits if yes, or
reasons if no.
Answer:
“Yes, we use CPM scheduling for this project. It identifies critical tasks that
directly impact the project completion date. By knowing the critical path, we
can prioritize resources, understand task dependencies, anticipate
bottlenecks, and adjust activities proactively.
Example: During a steel beam delivery delay, CPM helped us identify which
downstream activities were affected and reassign crews to non-critical tasks,
preventing project delays. CPM provides a strategic framework for
project control and decision-making.”
2nd Assignment
Q1. What is a WBS?
Answer:
Work Breakdown Structure (WBS): A WBS is a hierarchical
decomposition of a project into smaller, manageable components or
work packages. It organizes project scope, ensures no tasks are
overlooked, and facilitates task assignment, planning, and progress tracking.
Example (Construction of a Residential Building):
1. Planning o Wall erection
o Site survey and 4. Finishing
analysis
o Electrical and plumbing
o Project scheduling installation
2. Foundation o Interior finishing
(painting, flooring,
o Excavation
fixtures)
o Concrete pouring
5. External Works
3. Superstructure
o Landscaping
o Frame construction
o Driveway and boundary
wall construction
Q2. Why is WBS so important?
Answer:
Scope Clarification: Defines project boundaries and deliverables
Improved Planning: Simplifies task assignment, resource allocation,
and duration estimation
Enhanced Communication: Clearly defines roles and responsibilities
Monitoring & Control: Facilitates tracking progress and identifying
issues
Risk Reduction: Helps detect missing tasks or potential problems
early
Summary: A WBS ensures structured, manageable, and organized
project execution.
3rd Assignment
Q1. What are overlaps in construction activities?
Answer:
Overlap: Occurs when two construction activities are executed
partially simultaneously instead of sequentially.
Purpose: To reduce project duration.
Example:
Activity A: Foundation work
Activity B: Column erection
Normally, B starts after A finishes. With overlap, column erection
begins on portions of the foundation already completed.
Key Points: Overlap saves time but may increase risk; commonly used in
fast-track projects.
Q2. What is the difference between predecessors and successors?
Answer:
Term Definition Example
Predeces Activity that must finish or partially Excavation before
sor finish before another activity starts foundation pouring
Successor Activity that comes after a Foundation pouring
predecessor and depends on it after excavation
Summary: Predecessor → comes first; Successor → depends on predecessor.
4th Assignment
Q1. What is a bar chart? Synonym and origin.
Answer:
Bar Chart (Gantt Chart): A time-scaled graphic representing project
activities as horizontal bars, showing start and finish dates.
Synonym: Gantt chart (named after Henry L. Gantt, early 20th century).
Q2. What are the main advantages and disadvantages of bar charts?
Answer:
Advantages:
Simple and easy to understand
Visualizes timelines, overlaps, and dependencies
Disadvantages:
Limited detail for complex projects
Cannot show resource allocation clearly
Can become cumbersome for large projects
Q3. Draw a bar chart for building a detached shed in your backyard.
Answer (Activities):
No
1
2
3
4
5
5 5 5 5 5 5 5 6
25 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 7
c t- ct ct ct ov ov ov ec
O -O -O -O -N -N -N -D 8
1- 11 21 31 10 20 30 10
Site Preparation 5
Foundation Excavation 7
Foundation Pouring & Curing 10
Structural Framing 15
Roofing 7
Electrical & Plumbing 10
Interior Finishing 12
Final Inspection & Handover 4
Series1
Q4. Draw a bar chart for replacing worn-out carpet in an office.
Include all relevant activities.
Answer (Activities):
N0 Activity Start Time Finish Duratio
Time n
1 Planning & Preparation
9:00 AM 11:00 AM 2 hours
2 Remove Baseboards 11:00 AM 11:30 AM 0.5 hour
3 Remove Old Carpet & Pad 11:30 AM 1:30 PM 2 hours
4 Dispose of Old Carpet &
1:30 PM 2:00 PM 0.5 hour
Pad
5 Clean Floor Before
2:00 PM 2:30 PM 0.5 hour
Installation
6 Install New Padding 2:30 PM 3:00 PM 0.5 hour
7 Install New Carpet 3:00 PM 5:00 PM 2 hours
8 Reinstall Baseboards 5:00 PM 5:30 PM 0.5 hour
9 Final Cleanup 5:30 PM 6:00 PM 0.5 hour
AM AM AM PM PM PM PM PM PM
52 04 16 28 40 52 04 16 28
8: 1 0: 1 1: 1 2: 1: 2: 4: 5: 6:
Planning & Preparation 2 hrs 00 mins
Remove Baseboards 0 hrs 30 mins
Remove Old Carpet & Pad 2 hrs 00 mins
Dispose of Old Carpet & Pad 0 hrs 30 mins
Clean Floor Before Installation 0 hrs 30 mins
Install New Padding 0 hrs 30 mins
Install New Carpet 2 hrs 00 mins
Reinstall Baseboards 0 hrs 30 mins
Final Cleanup 0 hrs 30 mins
Series1