TABLE OF CONTENTS Scheduling standards are defined as the rules to be applied in the development and maintenance of schedules for projects. Project scheduling is the distribution of tasks over time to permit the best accomplishment of the project's work.
Laying out tasks and applying resources to the tasks is fundamental to the project planning. It is often done quickly and without the rigor to ensure all tasks are included in the schedule. A random development process relies heavily on the prior experience of the planner to construct a comprehensive schedule.
All planning activities need standards by which the components are uniformly developed for implementation. Standards bring about consistency of work practices. Consistent practices also permit adjustment of the standard when errors occur. Randomness in planning does not provide the practice stability with which to improve on the process.
The standards outlined here are consistent with many of the automated project scheduling tools and follow the general sequence that one would use with an automated project scheduler. Sequentially, the application of the standard guidelines builds and adds to prior items.
Each organization will build its scheduling standards to meet the level of detail in planning as well as the control processes needed by the business. Managerial control requires different standards applied to schedules for large and small projects. Large projects need the detailed definition of work to ensure the convergence on a visible technical solution. Small projects, however, can often be general because the technical...
