What is Project Time Management? Definition & Tools for Time Management in Project Management - AIMS

Summary

This script outlines the critical processes in project time management, including defining activities, sequencing, estimating resources and durations, developing and controlling schedules. It emphasizes the importance of breaking down work into manageable activities, establishing logical relationships between tasks, and accurately estimating resources and time for each. The script also introduces tools like the precedence diagramming method to visualize task sequences and explains concepts like leads and lags in task dependencies. The goal is to create an efficient project schedule that can be monitored and adjusted to ensure timely project completion.

Takeaways

• 📅 **Project Time Management** is crucial for ensuring the timely completion of projects and involves various processes.
• 🔍 **Define Activities** involves identifying and documenting specific actions needed to produce project deliverables, which helps in planning and controlling project work.
• 🔗 **Sequence Activities** is about identifying relationships among project activities to define the logical sequence of work.
• ➡️ **Dependencies** are relationships between activities, categorized into mandatory, discretionary, and external dependencies.
• 📊 **Precedence Diagramming Method** graphically represents activities and their logical relationships, such as finish-to-start, finish-to-finish, start-to-start, and start-to-finish.
• 🏁 **Leads and Lags** are considered in determining dependencies to account for the overlap or delay between activities.
• 🛠️ **Estimate Activity Resources** is about estimating the type and quantities of resources needed for each activity, aiding in cost and duration estimates.
• ⏱️ **Estimate Activity Durations** involves estimating the time required to complete activities, providing input for the project schedule.
• 📈 **Develop Schedule** is the process of creating a project schedule model by analyzing activity sequences, durations, resource requirements, and constraints.
• 🔄 **Control Schedule** involves monitoring project activities, updating progress, and managing changes to the schedule to achieve the planned outcomes.

Q & A

What is project time management?

Project time management refers to the processes required for managing the timely completion of a project, including defining activities, sequencing activities, estimating resources and durations, developing a schedule, and controlling the schedule.

What is the key benefit of the 'Define Activities' process in project time management?

The key benefit of the 'Define Activities' process is to break down work packages into activities that provide a basis for estimating, scheduling, executing, monitoring, and controlling the project work.

What does the 'Sequence Activities' process involve?

The 'Sequence Activities' process involves identifying and documenting the logical relationships and dependencies among the project activities to define the sequence of work.

What are the three types of dependencies used to define the sequence among activities?

The three types of dependencies used to define the sequence among activities are mandatory dependencies, discretionary dependencies, and external dependencies.

How are activities represented in the Precedence Diagramming Method?

In the Precedence Diagramming Method, activities are represented by nodes and are graphically linked by logical relationships to show the sequence of the project schedule.

What are the four types of logical relationships in the Precedence Diagramming Method?

The four types of logical relationships in the Precedence Diagramming Method are finish-to-start, finish-to-finish, start-to-start, and start-to-finish.

What is a 'lead' in the context of determining dependencies?

A 'lead' is the predicted time by which the start or finish of a successor activity precedes the start or finish of its predecessor activity, indicating an overlap between the activities.

What is a 'lag' and how does it differ from a 'lead'?

A 'lag' is the waiting time inserted between activities, where the successor activity cannot start immediately after the predecessor activity. It differs from a 'lead' as it represents a delay rather than an overlap.

What is the purpose of the 'Estimate Activity Resources' process?

The 'Estimate Activity Resources' process aims to identify the type, quantity, and characteristics of resources required to complete each activity, allowing for more accurate cost and duration estimates.

Why is the 'Estimate Activity Durations' process important in project time management?

The 'Estimate Activity Durations' process is important as it provides the estimated time required to complete individual activities with the available resources, which is a major input for developing the project schedule.

What is the primary goal of the 'Develop Schedule' process?

The primary goal of the 'Develop Schedule' process is to create the project schedule model by analyzing activity sequences, durations, resource requirements, and schedule constraints.

How does the 'Control Schedule' process contribute to project management?

The 'Control Schedule' process contributes to project management by monitoring the status of project activities, updating project progress, and managing changes to the schedule to achieve the planned outcomes while minimizing risks.

Outlines

00:00

📈 Project Time Management Overview

This paragraph introduces the concept of project time management as a set of processes necessary for the timely completion of a project. It outlines various processes such as defining activities, sequencing activities, estimating activity resources, estimating activity durations, developing a schedule, and controlling the schedule. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of breaking down work into activities for better estimation, scheduling, execution, monitoring, and control. It also introduces the concept of dependencies between activities, explaining mandatory, discretionary, and external dependencies. The precedence diagramming method is introduced as a tool to graphically represent the logical relationships and sequence of activities. The paragraph concludes with an example of a globally recognized institution, Ames, offering certifications and educational programs in project management through an online platform.

05:05

🔍 Understanding Leads and Lags in Project Scheduling

The second paragraph delves into the specifics of leads and lags in project scheduling. Leads are described as the time overlap where a successor activity begins before the completion of its predecessor, effectively accelerating the project timeline. Lags, on the other hand, are the delays inserted between activities, where a successor activity cannot start immediately after the predecessor has ended. The paragraph explains that leads can be considered as negative values, while lags are positive values. It also discusses the process of estimating activity resources, which involves determining the type and quantities of materials, human resources, and equipment needed for each activity. This process is crucial for accurate cost and duration estimates. Additionally, the paragraph covers the process of estimating activity durations, which is about calculating the time required to complete individual activities with the estimated resources. The paragraph concludes with a discussion on developing a schedule, which involves analyzing activity sequences, durations, resource requirements, and constraints to create a project schedule model. The control schedule process is also mentioned, which involves monitoring project progress and managing changes to the schedule to achieve the planned outcomes.

Keywords

💡Project Time Management

Project Time Management refers to the processes required for managing the timely completion of a project. It is central to the video's theme as it lays out the framework for planning, executing, and controlling the time aspect of project activities. The script discusses various processes such as define activities, sequence activities, and control schedule, which are all integral parts of effective time management in projects.

💡Define Activities

Define Activities is the process of identifying and documenting the specific actions to be performed to produce the project deliverables. This keyword is crucial as it breaks down work packages into manageable activities, which is fundamental for estimating, scheduling, executing, monitoring, and controlling the project work. The script mentions this as a key benefit for providing a basis for further project management processes.

💡Sequence Activities

Sequence Activities is the process of identifying and documenting relationships among project activities. This keyword is significant as it defines the logical sequence of work, which is essential for better coordination and execution throughout the project. The script elaborates on this by discussing different types of dependencies that help in determining the sequence.

💡Dependencies

Dependencies are the relationships between activities where one activity is dependent on another to start or complete. This concept is central to the script as it helps in understanding the logical flow and interdependencies of tasks within a project. The script mentions three types of dependencies: mandatory, discretionary, and external, which are crucial for creating an accurate project schedule.

💡Precedence Diagramming Method

Precedence Diagramming Method is a technique used to graphically represent the logical relationships between project activities. This keyword is relevant as it helps in visualizing the sequence of activities and their dependencies. The script describes four types of dependencies: finish-to-start, finish-to-finish, start-to-start, and start-to-finish, which are essential for creating a comprehensive project schedule.

💡Leads and Lags

Leads and Lags are timing adjustments made to the relationship between project activities. Leads allow a successor activity to start before the completion of its predecessor, while lags introduce a delay between activities. These concepts are important for fine-tuning the project schedule and managing the timing of tasks. The script provides examples such as coding starting before design is finished (lead) and waiting for concrete to set before constructing the frame (lag).

💡Estimate Activity Resources

Estimate Activity Resources is the process of estimating the type and quantities of material, human resources, and equipment or supplies required to perform each activity. This keyword is significant as it ensures that the project has the necessary resources planned and available, which is crucial for the successful execution of activities. The script emphasizes the importance of this process for accurate cost and duration estimates.

💡Estimate Activity Durations

Estimate Activity Durations is the process of estimating the number of work periods needed to complete individual activities with estimated resources. This keyword is integral to the video's theme as it directly impacts the project schedule by determining how long each activity will take. The script mentions that work periods are usually expressed in hours or days, which are major inputs into the project schedule development.

💡Develop Schedule

Develop Schedule is the process of analyzing activity sequences, durations, resource requirements, and schedule constraints to create the project schedule model. This keyword is central to the script as it involves the synthesis of various project management processes to produce a realistic and actionable project schedule. The script highlights the use of scheduling tools to generate planned dates for project activities.

💡Control Schedule

Control Schedule is the process of monitoring the status of project activities, updating project progress, and managing changes to the schedule baseline to achieve the plan. This keyword is crucial as it ensures that the project stays on track and any deviations are addressed promptly. The script underscores the importance of this process in recognizing deviations and taking corrective actions to minimize project risks.

💡Schedule Constraints

Schedule Constraints are limitations or factors that affect the project schedule, such as deadlines, resource availability, or contractual obligations. This keyword is relevant as it influences the development of the project schedule and must be considered to ensure the project meets its time-related objectives. The script discusses how these constraints are analyzed during the schedule development process.

Highlights

Project time management is defined as processes required for managing the timely completion of the project.

Define activities as the process of identifying and documenting specific actions to produce project deliverables.

Sequence activities involves identifying and documenting relationships among project activities to define the logical sequence of work.

Estimate activity resources is about estimating the type and quantities of resources required for each activity.

Estimate activity durations involves estimating the number of work periods needed to complete activities.

Develop schedule is the process of analyzing activity sequences, durations, resource requirements, and constraints to create a project schedule model.

Control schedule involves monitoring the status of project activities and managing changes to the schedule to achieve the plan.

Ames offers certifications, diploma, MBA, and PHD programs in project management through an online and self-paced learning system.

Dependencies determination is crucial for understanding relationships between activities where one activity is dependent on another.

There are three types of dependencies: mandatory, discretionary, and external dependencies.

Precedence diagramming method represents activities as nodes and links them with logical relationships to show sequence.

Leads and lags are considered when determining dependencies, with leads being the overlap between predecessor and successor activities.

Lags measure the delay between the first and second activity, representing a waiting time inserted between activities.

Estimate activity resources identifies the type, quantity, and characteristics of resources required to complete an activity.

Estimate activity durations provides the amount of time each activity will take to complete, a major input into the developed schedule process.

Develop schedule generates a schedule model with planned dates to complete project activities by entering schedule activities, durations, resources, and logical relationships into a scheduling tool.

Control schedule recognizes deviation from the plan and takes corrective and preventive actions to minimize risk associated with the project.

Transcripts

project time management

it may be defined as processes required

for managing the timely completion of

the project

time management processes here is an

overview of the project time management

processes define activities the process

of identifying and documenting the

specific actions sequence activities the

process of identifying and documenting

relationships estimate activity

resources the process of estimating the

type and quantities of material Human

Resources equipment or supplies estimate

activity durations the process of

estimating the number of work periods

develop schedule the process of

analyzing activity sequences durations

resource requirements and schedule

constraints and control schedule the

process of monitoring the status of

project activities

define activities it is the process of

identifying and documenting the specific

actions to be performed to produce the

project deliverables the key benefit of

this process is to break down work

packages into activities that provide a

basis for estimating scheduling

executing monitoring and controlling the

project work

Ames is a globally recognized and an

accredited institution we offer

certifications diploma MBA and PHD

programs in project management through

an online and self-paced learning system

for registration and details please

visit www.ames.education

sequence activities it may be defined as

process of identifying and documenting

relationships among the project

activities key benefit it defines the

logical sequence of work for better

activity throughout the project

tools and techniques for sequence

activities dependencies determination

dependencies are relationships between

the activities in which one activity is

dependent on another to complete an

action or an activity is dependent on

another to start an action

types of dependencies there are three

types of dependencies which are used to

define the sequence among the activities

they are mandatory dependencies

discretionary dependencies and external

dependencies

precedence diagramming method they are

activities are represented by nodes and

are graphically linked by one or more

logical relationships to show the

sequence

the predecessor activity logically comes

before a dependent activity in a

schedule whereas the successor activity

is a dependent activity that logically

comes after another activity in a

schedule precedence diagramming method

includes four types of dependencies or

logical relationships these

relationships are Illustrated here

number one

finish to start number two

finish to finish number three start to

start and number four start to finish

to start activity are must be finished

before the start of activity B the

initiation of the work of the successor

depends upon the completion of the work

of the predecessor for example the

awards ceremony cannot start until the

race has finished

finish to finish activity are must be

finished before activity B is finished

the completion of the work of the

successor depends upon the completion of

the work of the predecessor for example

writing a document must be finish before

editing can be finished

start to start activity a must start

before activity B can start the

initiation of the work of the successor

depends upon the initiation of the work

of the predecessor for example level

concrete cannot start until poor

Foundation is started

start to finish activity a must start

before activity B can finish the

completion of the successor depends upon

the initiation of the predecessor for

example the First Security shift cannot

be finished until the second security

shift is started

leads and legs they should be considered

when determining the dependencies lead

versus lag leads are the predicted

measurement of how long it will take to

do something while lags measure how far

behind a task or project phase is after

it has started what is lead lead means

the beginning of a success activity

before the completion of its predecessor

lead is the acceleration of the

successor activity or simply we can say

that lead is the overlap between the

predecessor and the successor activity

for example coding might be able to

start five days before the design is

finished

lead type can be considered a negative

value

what is lag for successor activity

cannot start right after the end of the

predecessor activity a lag is awaiting

time inserted between activities in

other words leg time is the delay

between the first and second activity

for example you need to wait three days

after pouring concrete before

constructing the frame for the house lag

time can be considered a positive value

estimate activity resources it is the

process of estimating the type and

quantities of material human resources

and equipment or supplies which are

required to perform each activity

key benefit this per se identifies the

type quantity and characteristics of

resources required to complete the

activity which allows more accurate cost

and duration estimates

estimate activity durations this process

estimates the number of work periods

needed to complete individual activities

with estimated resources

work periods are usually expressed in

hours or days

the key benefit of this process provides

the amount of time each activity will

take to complete which is a major input

into the developed schedule process

develop schedule it is the process of

analyzing activity sequences durations

resource requirements and schedule

constraints in order to create the

project schedule model

key benefit by entering schedule

activities durations resources resource

availabilities and logical relationships

into the scheduling tool it generates a

schedule model with planned dates to

complete project activities

control schedule this process monitors

the status of project activities to

update project progress and manages the

changes to the schedule Baseline to

achieve the plan

key benefits it provides the means to

recognize deviation from the plan and

takes corrective and preventive actions

and thus minimizes the risk associated

with the project