HOW TO CREATE AN ACTIVITY
NETWORK DIAGRAM
WEEK 9
CECMPM30
Construction Methods and Project Management
Engr. Arleen Sacdalan-Pablo
Professional Lecturer
Learning Outcomes
HOW TO CREATE AN
ACTIVITY NETWORK
DIAGRAM
❑ Construct a precedence diagram showing activity
sequences and relationships.
❑ Identify the critical path and compute project
duration using PDM.
❑ Determine lag and lead between activities in the
network.
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HOW TO CREATE AN
INTRODUCTION ACTIVITY NETWORK
DIAGRAM
After defining activities and estimating their durations, we can
create an activity network diagram to show logical relationships and
dependencies. This process is often iterative, allowing the project team
to refine activities, durations and their connections.
Activities follow a sequence with predecessors and successors,
connected by logical relationships or dependencies. These can be Finish-
to-Start (FS), Finish-to-Finish (FF), Start-to-Start (SS), or Start-to-Finish
(SF). The most common is Finish-to-Start, where a task begins only after
the previous one ends. Start-to-Finish is rarely applied.
aspablo@[Link]
HOW TO CREATE AN
INTRODUCTION ACTIVITY NETWORK
DIAGRAM
❑The Elements of Network Diagramming
-- A must be completed -- Both A and C must be
before B can start completed before either B
or D can start
-- A must be completed
before either B and C can
start -- A must be completed
before B can start. Both A
and C must be completed
-- Both A and B must be
before D can start
completed before C can
start
Dummy Activity – use to show the
dependent relationship between two
activities
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HOW TO CREATE AN
INTRODUCTION ACTIVITY NETWORK
DIAGRAM
In the Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM), activities are shown in
rectangles or circles, with arrows indicating dependencies. This is also known as an
Activity-on-Node (AON) diagram Fig. 1. Another method is Activity-on-Arrow (AOA)
Fig. 2, where circles mark start and end points, and arrows represent activities.
Today, AON is more widely used, supported by project management tools,
and typically drawn with rectangles.
1. Activity on Arrow (AoA) - using 2. Activity on Node (AoN) - using
an arrow to designate activities. nodes to designate activities.
aspablo@[Link]
HOW TO CREATE AN
The AOA ACTIVITY NETWORK
DIAGRAM
aspablo@[Link]
ACTIVITY-ON-ARROW(AOA) DIAGRAM HOW TO CREATE AN
ACTIVITY NETWORK
EXAMPLE: DIAGRAM
EXPECTED
Required:
ACTIVITY PRECEDES 1. Draw a precedence diagram,
TIME (DAYS)
2. Find the Critical Path,
a c,b 4
3. Determine the expected duration of the
c d 12 project.
d i 2
Examining the table on the left; letters a. e and g are non-
b i 5 existent in the precedes column.
e f 3
f j 8 These are the activities without predecessors.
i j 12
a
j end 9
g h 1
e
h k 3 g
k end 15
ACTIVITY-ON-ARROW(AOA) DIAGRAM HOW TO CREATE AN
ACTIVITY NETWORK
DIAGRAM
1. Draw a precedence diagram EXPECTED
ACTIVITY PRECEDES
TIME (DAYS)
a c,b 4
d=2
c=12 c d 12
d i 2
b=5
b i 5
a=4 e f 3
start i=12
e=3 f j 8
f=8 i j 12
g=1 j end 9
g h 1
h=3 h k 3
j=9 k end 15
k=15
end
ACTIVITY-ON-ARROW(AOA) DIAGRAM HOW TO CREATE AN
ACTIVITY NETWORK
DIAGRAM
1. Draw a precedence diagram
2. Find the critical path
d=2
c=12 Path a,c,d,i,j = 4+12+2+12+9 = 39
b=5 Path a,b,i,j = 4+5+12+9 =30
a=4 Path e,f,j = 3+8+9 = 20
start i=12
e=3 Path g,h,k = 1+3+15 = 19
f=8
g=1
3. Determine the
h=3 expected duration of
j=9 the project > the
k=15 longest path = 39
end
HOW TO CREATE AN
The PERT BOX STYLE ACTIVITY NETWORK
DIAGRAM
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HOW TO CREATE AN
Finish-to-Start (FS) Relationship ACTIVITY NETWORK
DIAGRAM
In this relationship, a predecessor activity should be
finished in order to start successor activity. This is the most
common relationship between activities.
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HOW TO CREATE AN
Finish-to-Start (FS) Relationship ACTIVITY NETWORK
DIAGRAM
❑Lag
A lag is the amount of time a successor activity can be delayed with
respect to a predecessor activity.
❑Lead
A lead is the opposite of a lag. It is the
time by which a successor activity can start
earlier than its predecessor finishes. For
example, Activity B can begin 3 days before
Activity A is completed.
aspablo@[Link]
HOW TO CREATE AN
Finish-to-Finish (FF) Relationship ACTIVITY NETWORK
DIAGRAM
In this relationship, we cannot finish a successor activity (B)
if we don’t finish a predecessor activity (A). Therefore, Activity A
must be finished to ensure that we can finish Activity B as well.
These tasks can be carried out in parallel. It is common to have a
lag between the predecessor and successor.
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HOW TO CREATE AN
Start-to-Start (SS) Relationship ACTIVITY NETWORK
DIAGRAM
In this relationship, a successor activity (B) cannot start until
we start the predecessor activity (A). Like a finish-to-finish
relationship, it is possible to see a lag between these two
activities. Activity B can start five days after Activity A starts.
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HOW TO CREATE AN
Start-to-Finish (SF) Relationship ACTIVITY NETWORK
DIAGRAM
This is the rarest relationship between project
activities. Activity B (successor) cannot finish until Activity
A (predecessor) has started. Consider that we developed a
new order processing software. We can finish Activity B
when we start Activity A.
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Example of Network Diagram
HOW TO CREATE AN
ACTIVITY NETWORK
DIAGRAM
Create an activity network diagram for the Activities as shown
on table (next slide). Assume that all dependencies are finish-
to-start, and there are no lags or leads in this exercise. Use this
box style: FORWARD PASS
EF = ES+D
BACKWARD PASS
LS = LF-D S = LS-ES
S = LF-EF
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Example of Network Diagram
HOW TO CREATE AN
ACTIVITY NETWORK
DIAGRAM
❑ CARPENTRY AND PAINTING WORKS
DURATION
ACTIVITY (DAYS)
PREDECESSOR
Roofing Works (A) 1 --
Ceiling Joist Installation (B) 2 A
Ceiling Boards Installation (C) 4 B
Flush Doors Installation (D) 1 A
Installation of Door Knobs (E) 1 D
Painting Works (F) 2 C, E
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Example of Network Diagram
HOW TO CREATE AN
ACTIVITY NETWORK
DIAGRAM
FORWARD PASS (1+2=3) FORWARD PASS (3+4=7)
FORWARD PASS (0+1=1) FORWARD PASS (7+2=9)
FLOAT AT D FLOAT AT E
6-2=4 7-3=4
5-1=4 6-2=4
BACKWARD PASS (1-1=0) BACKWARD PASS (9-2=7)
BACKWARD PASS (6-1=5) BACKWARD PASS (7-1=6)
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DEFINITIONS
HOW TO CREATE AN
ACTIVITY NETWORK
DIAGRAM
Dependency -- See logical relationship
Early Finish Date (EF) -- In the critical path method, the earliest possible point in time
when the uncompleted portions of a schedule activity can finish based on the
schedule network logic, the data date, and any schedule constraints.
Early Start Date (ES) -- In the critical path method, the earliest possible point in time
when the uncompleted portions of a schedule activity can start based on the schedule
network logic, the data date, and any schedule constraints.
Finish-to-Finish (FF) -- A logical relationship in which a successor activity cannot finish
until a predecessor activity has finished
Finish-to-Start (FS) -- A logical relationship in which a successor activity cannot start
until a predecessor activity has finished.
aspablo@[Link]
DEFINITIONS
HOW TO CREATE AN
ACTIVITY NETWORK
DIAGRAM
Forward Pass -- A critical path method technique for calculating the early start and early
finish dates by working forward through the schedule model from the project start date
or a given point in time.
Free Float -- The amount of time that a schedule activity can be delayed without delaying
the early start date of any successor or violating a schedule constraint.
Late Finish Date (LF) -- In the critical path method, the latest possible point in time when
the uncompleted portions of a schedule activity can finish based on the schedule
network logic, the project completion date, and any schedule constraints.
Late Start Date (LS) -- In the critical path method, the latest possible point in time when
the uncompleted portions of a schedule activity can start based on the schedule network
logic, the project completion date, and any schedule constraints.
aspablo@[Link]
DEFINITIONS
HOW TO CREATE AN
ACTIVITY NETWORK
DIAGRAM
Network -- See project schedule network diagram
Node -- A point at which dependency lines connect on a schedule network diagram
Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM)
Precedence Relationship -- A logical dependency used in the precedence diagramming
method.
Predecessor Activity -- An activity that logically comes before a dependent activity in a
schedule
Project Schedule Network Diagram -- A graphical representation of the logical
relationships among the project schedule activities
Sequence Activities -- The process of identifying and documenting relationships among
the project activities
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DEFINITIONS
HOW TO CREATE AN
ACTIVITY NETWORK
DIAGRAM
Start Date -- A point in time associated with a schedule activity’s start, usually qualified
by one of the following: actual, planned, estimated, scheduled, early, late, target,
baseline, or current.
Start-to-Finish (SF) -- A logical relationship in which a successor activity cannot finish
until a predecessor activity has started
Start-to-Start (SS) -- A logical relationship in which a successor activity cannot start until a
predecessor activity has started.
Successor Activity -- A dependent activity that logically comes after another activity in a
schedule.
Total Float -- The amount of time that a schedule activity can be delayed or extended
from its early start date without delaying the project finish date or violating a schedule
constraint.
aspablo@[Link]
HOW TO CREATE AN
References:
ACTIVITY NETWORK
DIAGRAM
▪ PMI – Project Management Institute. (2017).
A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge
(PMBOK® Guide) (6th ed.).
▪ [Link]
navigating-the-complexity/chapter/7-4-creating-an-
activity-network-diagram/
▪ Fajardo, M.B. (2000). Construction Management (2nd ed.)
.
aspablo@[Link]
HOW TO CREATE AN
ACTIVITY NETWORK
DIAGRAM
HOW TO CREATE AN
ACTIVITY NETWORK
DIAGRAM