The first step in building a schedule is to review the key inputs. Let’s make sure we are clear on these and where we are in the overall schedule development and planning process. To build a project schedule, you need five key inputs:
- WBS—List of organized tasks, the work to be done (covered in “Developing the Work Breakdown Structure”).
- Effort estimates—Amount of effort and time each task will take (“Estimating the Work”).
- Task relationships—The logical dependencies that exist between work tasks.
- Resources—The actual personnel and equipment needed to perform the work between work tasks.
- Risk responses—Measures taken to deal with the uncertainty surrounding effort and resource estimates; usually in the form of additional time (contingency buffer) added to the schedule.
Due to the amount of important information and the critical nature of two of these inputs (developing the WBS and estimating the work packages). We take these two key inputs together with the other three (sequence the work, develop schedule, and finalize schedule) to develop a realistic schedule, as depicted in Figure 8.3.
Note
Due to the number of inputs, trade-offs, and feedback points, the schedule development process is a natural, iterative process.
Expect to continuously loop through this process and refine your inputs until a final, approved schedule is achieved.
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