Project Resources

After identifying the connections and constraints in the project, we must identify and define the resources needed for its execution. There are different kinds of resources, which can be divided into four main groups: people, materials, equipment or places, and money. To begin with, the project’s resources can be defined generically: “electrical engineer” or “seminar room”. Later on, these descriptions…

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Determining Time Constraints

After determining the connections between the project’s tasks, we must also determine the constraints affecting the project’s tasks. The process of identifying constraints to the project’s main stages and tasks was done partially in the preliminary planning stage. We must now go through the same process for the tasks detailed in the project’s work plan. Differentiation must be made between…

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Dependencies between Tasks

After the project has been broken down into appropriate level tasks in the work plan, any dependencies between various tasks must be determined and defined. As part of this process it is important to examine whether any task is dependent on any other task, and if so, how. People often go astray here and create unnecessary and strange connections between…

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Work and Duration Estimation

Estimation of the work volume and time for each task can be done in a variety of ways: according to work or time—depending on the type of task. Variable Duration Tasks are tasks for which the duration depends on the number and type of resources allocated for their completion. Estimating this type of task should be done based on the…

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Developing a WBS

As we develop the project’s lifecycle table, including stages, tasks, deliverables and work process, we must also plan the project’s content by breaking down the structure of the outcome services or products. This breakdown is called a ‘Work Breakdown Structure’, or WBS. It is a central and essential tool of project planning. A WBS divides the project’s content into smaller,…

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Permits and Approval Controls

Many projects require a variety of authorizations and permits, as well as a-priori approval of the deliverable before any progress can be made on the project. Some of these authorizations and approvals are internal—ones given by managers or other bodies involved in the project. Others are external—ones obtained from bodies that are not related to the organization or project, such…

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