Learning objectives related to this activity
To gain an appreciation of the most appropriate level of detail to be working with in a given project situation.
To differentiate between various levels of schedule.
To interpret scope and develop an approach to scheduling.
Introduction
Ability to differentiate between various levels of schedule; and to develop schedules at appropriate levels of detail using networks and Gantt charts, and carry out calculations to determine the critical path, float and variability. Note that most of the latter objective will be covered in the F2F phase.
This activity continues to explore the Redsands Wind Farm project and builds on the previous activity by looking at how project schedules can be shown at different levels of detail to suit different managerial and operational needs.
Application to the workplace
Controlling projects involves working with levels of detail that are appropriate to the task in hand. Working in levels – synonymous with a hierarchical structure – enables project engineers and managers to concentrate on the most meaningful information by, for example, stripping out detail that might otherwise distract decision-making. Accessing any given level in the hierarchy needs to be consistent with summary reporting requirements if the right information is to be gathered and communicated. Reporting at one level should summarise all activity at lower levels, enabling project engineers and managers to control project time by, amongst other things, separating past decisions from present and future decisions.
Your task
(a) Provide an example (in diagrammatic form) of different levels of schedule, based on a project with which you are familiar;
(b) Define different levels of schedule (diagrammatically) for the Redsands Wind Farm project (use the approach in part a to help you). Indicate the demarcation line between contractual responsibilities relating to the Owner and those relating to the Contractor. State clearly any assumptions made to support your results.
Prepare and present the results using Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel or the document at the bottom of this page (Word).
Note that the activity does NOT require you to create a schedule or schedules. The creation of a schedule will be covered in the F2F phase. Please do NOT use Microsoft Project for this activity.
Resources
The following documents are applicable:
Redsands Wind Farm (background information and proposal) – essential reading
Project Guide 04: Capital Project Scheduling – essential reading
PLEASE USE THE WORD DOCUMENT ATTACHED TO ANSWER THE 2 QUESTIONS
