The document discusses project scheduling and tracking methods like PERT charts, Gantt charts, and the critical path method (CPM). PERT charts show task sequences and durations, while Gantt charts graphically present start/end dates. CPM identifies the critical path with the lowest schedule flexibility by performing forward and backward passes to calculate early/late starts and floats. The critical path has zero float and determines the project completion date.

2. Project Scheduling and Tracking
0 Scheduling is the process of deciding:
0 In what sequence a set of activities will be performed.
0 When they should start and be completed.
0 Tracking is the process of determining how well you are sticking to the cost
estimate and schedule.
Software Project Management 2Gurbakash Phonsa ::: Basics of SPM

3. PERT charts
0 A PERT chart shows the sequence in which tasks must be completed.
0 PERT = Program Evaluation and Review Technique
0 In each node of a PERT chart, you typically show the elapsed time and effort
estimates.
0 The critical path indicates the minimum time in which it is possible to
complete the project.
Software Project Management 3Gurbakash Phonsa ::: Basics of SPM

4. Example of a PERT chart
Software Project Management 4Gurbakash Phonsa ::: Basics of SPM

6. Gantt charts
0 A Gantt chart is used to graphically present the start and
end dates of each software engineering task
0 One axis shows time.
0 The other axis shows the activities that will be performed.
0 The black bars are the top-level tasks.
0 The white bars are subtasks
0 The diamonds are milestones:
0 Important deadline dates, at which specific events may occur
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7. Example of a Gantt chart
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8. Sequence of Activities of The Project -
House Building
Number Activity Predecessor Duration
1 Design house and obtain
financing
-- 3
months
2 Lay foundation 1 2
months
3 Order and receive materials 1 1 month
4 Build house 2,3 3
months
5 Select paint 2, 3 1 month
6 Select carper 5 1 month
7 Finish work 4, 6 1 month
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9. Gantt Chart for House Building Project
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10. Software Project Management 10
Gantt Chart
Time (in weeks after start)
Activity 1
Activity 2
1 2 3 4 5 6 70
Activity 3
Activity 4
Activity 5
Easy to read
Gurbakash Phonsa ::: Basics of SPM

11. Software Project Management 11
Gantt Chart
Time (in weeks after start)
Activity 1
Activity 2
1 2 3 4 5 6 70
Activity 3
Activity 4
Activity 5
Project Start
Project Finish
with milestones
Good for reviews.
Design Review
Gurbakash Phonsa ::: Basics of SPM

12. Two Types of Gantt Charts
Person-Centered View
To determine people‘s load
Activity-Centered View
To identify teams working
together on the same tasks
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Time Time
Joe
Mary
Toby
Clara
A1 A3
Joe, Toby
A1 A3
A1
A2
A3
Joe
A2
Clara, Toby, JoeA3
Choose one view, stay with
it. Usually base the view on
the WBS structure Managing
Experienced Teams:
1. Person-centered view
2. Managing Beginners:
Activity oriented view
Gurbakash Phonsa ::: Basics of SPM

14. Critical Path Method
0 Definition: In CPM activities are shown as a network of precedence
relationships using activity-on-node network construction
0 Single estimate of activity time
0 Deterministic activity times
0 Critical Path:
0 Is that the sequence of activities and events where there is no “slack” i.e.. Zero slack
0 Longest path through a network
0 minimum project completion time
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15. Activity On-Node
15
Activity label, activity description
Earliest start Duration Earliest finish
Latest start Float Latest finish
Software Project Management Gurbakash Phonsa ::: Basics of SPM

16. Software Project Management 16
Id. Activity Name Duration (days) Precedents
A Floating the tender 5
B Short listing 5 A
C Biding 4 B
D Assigning Contract 8 B
E Allocation of task 10 D
G Monitoring 2 B
H Completing 8 G
Z System Installation 0 C,E,H
Gurbakash Phonsa ::: Basics of SPM

17. CPM
A critical path is the longest path in the network. Each node which falls
under critical path has zero or negative float (Slack).
There are 3 steps to calculate CPM:
1. Forward Pass - To calculate the Early Start(ES) and Early Finish(EF) of
node.
2. Backward Pass - To calculate Late Start (LS) and Late Finish(LF) of
node.
3. Calculate Float and Thus CPM.
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18. Software Project Management 18Gurbakash Phonsa ::: Basics of SPM

19. The Forward Pass
Node A:
The activity starts on day zero, since A activity duration is for 5 days, the early
finish will take Early Start and duration i.e.:
A(EF) = A(ES) + Duration
A (EF)= 0 + 5 = 5
Node B:
Since there is only one node which precedes activity B. The relationship is F->S. That means
that activity B can start only when activity A ends. Hence
B (ES) = A (EF) = 5
B(EF) = B(ES) + Duration = 5+ 5 = 10
Activity C: C(ES) = B(EF) = 10, also C(EF) = C(ES) + Duration = 10+ 4 = 14
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20. Forward pass calculations
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21. Calculation for backward pass
Node H
Node H has only one node preceding it in backward pass (node Z). Hence
H(LF) = Z(LS) = 28
H(LS) = H(LF) – H(Duration) = 28 – 8 = 20
Node E
Node E has only one node preceding it in backward pass (node Z). Hence
E(LF) = Z(LS) = 28
E(LS) = E(LF) – E(Duration) = 28 – 10 = 18
Node C
Node C has only one node preceding it in backward pass (node Z). Hence
C(LF) = C(LS) = 28
C(LS) = C(LF) – C(Duration) = 28 – 4 = 24
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22. More then one forward node
Node B
Since Node B is where most of the activities are merging in backward pass
i.e. C, D and G, this is where we need to pay more attention. In backward
pass the node B’s Latest Finish (LF) would be earliest or all the nodes Late
Start i.e.
B(LF) = Least | C(LS) or D(LS) or G(LS)|
B(LF) = Least | 24 or 10 or 18|
B(LF) = 10
B(LS) = B(LF) – B(Duration) = 10 -5 = 5
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23. Backward pass calculation
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24. Calculating Total Float or Slack
Total float
Total amount of time that a schedule activity may be delayed from its early start date
without delaying the project finish date, or intermediary milestone. It is calculated using:
Activity (ES) – Activity (LS) or activity (EF) Activity(LF) – Both will give you same results.
Free Float
This is an amount of time that a schedule activity can be delayed without delaying the
early start of any immediately following schedule activities.
E.g. – For activity C
C (Total Float) = C (LS) - C(ES) = 24 – 10 = 14
C (Free Float) = ES of next activity – C(EF )
C (Free Float) = Z(ES) – C(EF ) = 28 -14 = 14
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25. Critical Path
The Critical path
Calculate the Total float for all activities as per the formula.
All nodes which have zero or negative float/slack forms the CRITICAL PATH.
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26. A,B,D,E and Z forms the critical path
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27. Example to construct a CPM
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Id. Activity Name Duration (weeks) Precedents
A Hardware selection 7
B Software design 4
C Hardware Installation 6 A
D Coding 4 B
E Data Preparation 5 B
F User Documentation 9
G User Training 5 E,F
H System Installation 3 C,D
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28. Solution
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