Network Planning

Abstract

The success of a project's realization depends heavily on the effectiveness of the planning phase. This article will present how to use network planning in project management, which can be very challenging, and requires careful planning, managing, and controlling. The ability to break down work and segment it into different assignments can be critical for project success. Having a comprehensive plan can explain the project's complexity and keep it on track . Network planning is a common term for methods where projects are studied as a series of interrelated activities to plan, manage, and control projects .

According to Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, project schedule management includes various processes required to manage the project's timely completion. These processes refer to, among other things, how to sequence activities and estimate activities duration. Moreover, they include developing and controlling the schedule. Network planning methods help in this processing. The main objectives of network planning are determining the project duration and the Critical Path. Moreover, find out how to speed up a project if that becomes necessary. As a result, it is a basis for scheduling .

The most well-known network planning techniques are the Critical Path Method (CPM) and the Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT). These methods include describing each of the activities involved in the project, the order in which must carry out the activities, and the activities carried out in tandem with other activities. Using network planning methods results in showing activities that can be completed simultaneously and increases efficiency. Moreover, it helps in decisions making and saves time, and therefore decreases cost. Conversely, creating it uses merely estimates, which may be inaccurate. Furthermore, large scale projects are often complex and detailed, and thus performing network planning on them, can be time-consuming .

Annotated Bibliography

Kosztyán Z.T., Kiss J. (2010) Stochastic Network Planning Method. In: Elleithy K. (eds) Advanced Techniques in Computing Sciences and Software Engineering. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-3660-5_44: This article describes the Stochastic Network Planning Method (SNPM) and references several studies where projects fail due to uncertainty and inaccurate estimates. Moreover, this article explains the advantages of SNPM over some of the most known methods of network planning, PERT and GERT. The benefit of SNPM is that it finds potential solutions with the aid of stochastic variables and that all possible successor relations are taken into account. In this process, if the effect on the project changes, the parameters can be modified due to changes in the market's technological conditions or tendencies. The SNPM may thus be useful as an expert system module.

Briggs D. G. (2017) Comparison between Deterministic and Stochastic Time Estimating Techniques. In: International Journal of Advanced Research in Science, Engineering and Technology. IJARSET. http://www.ijarset.com/upload/2017/july/21-IJARSET-daketima.pdf: This paper identifies the difference between the two main techniques of network planning, CPM and PERT. Time is one of the variables in project management that provides inputs for use in project scheduling. There are two dimensions of time that impact time management: real-time and calendar time. There are a variety of estimation techniques available. Two methods are most widely used in the time estimation process among the different methods: the determinist (single-point) estimation technique and stochastic (three-point) estimation technique. This article argues that in situations where activity times are predictable (deterministic), CPM should be used, while PERT techniques should be used in cases where activity times are unpredictable (probabilistic). Furthermore, it concludes that PERT offers a better model for estimating than CPM.

Taylor, B. W. (1978). Project management using GERT analysis. Project Management Quarterly, 9(3), 15–20.: This article explains the modeling technique and simulation package of the GERT network and demonstrates its capabilities by planning for R&D projects. Additionally, a summary of the use of GERT performance for management planning and control, including sensitivity analysis and implementation, is included.