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whiteboard and label one sticky note with one activity. This will make it easy to see the

workflow, and you can move the sticky notes around to make changes.

The most commonly used network diagramming method is the precedence
diagramming method (PDM). PDM uses boxes to represent the project activities and
arrows to connect the boxes and show the dependencies. Figure 5.2 shows a simple
PDM network diagram of tasks with finish-to-start dependencies and task durations.

FIGURE 5.2 The precedence diagramming method

Now that the activities are sequenced based on their logical dependencies, you’re
ready to assign resources to the activities and estimate how long it will take to
complete each activity.

Assigning Resources

Resources on a project schedule typically refer to human resources and/or consulting

or contracting resources who will work on the tasks. As I mentioned earlier, it’s a good
idea to have the work package–level owners present while constructing the schedule,
because they are typically the supervisors of the teams who will work on the tasks.
They should know at a glance which person on their team to assign to the tasks. They
are also typically expert enough in their areas to determine estimates and start and end

dates for tasks. When there are multiple tasks within a work package, it’s best to have
the resources who are assigned to those tasks determine duration estimates.

Another helpful tool you can use when assigning resources is a resource calendar. The
resource calendar describes the time frames in which resources are available. It
defines a particular resource or groups of resources and may also include their skills,
abilities, and quantity, as well as availability. Perhaps your project calls for a marketing
resource and the person assigned to the marketing activities is on an extended vacation

in October. The resource calendar would show this person’s vacation schedule.
Resource calendars also examine the quantity, capability, and availability of equipment
and material resources that have a potential to impact the project schedule. For
example, suppose your project calls for a hydraulic drill and your organization owns
only one. The resource calendar will tell you whether it’s scheduled for another job at
the same time it’s needed for your project.

Determining Task Durations

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