Let's see. What's activity network diagram?

An Activity Network Diagram will help you to work out the most efficient sequence of events needed to complete any project. It enables you to create a realistic project schedule by graphically showing

• the total amount of time needed to complete the project
• the sequence in which tasks must be carried out
• which tasks can be carried out at the same time
• which are the critical tasks that you need to keep an eye on.

How to do it:

1. Beginning with the first task until last tasks. This is called the forward pass.

For example:

• Previous task numbers 1 to 7 =====> 11 days
• Earliest start for task number 8 ===> 11^th day
• Task number 8 takes ===========> 3 days
• Earliest start for task number 9 ===> 14^th day

Write the LS on the job card.

2. Starting at the last task, calculate the latest time each task could be started and still finish. This is called the backward pass.

Example:

• Total implementation time =======> 60 days
• Last task (number 22) takes ======> 5 days
• Latest start for task number 22 ===> 55^th day
• Task number 21 takes ==========> 2 days
• Latest start for task number 21 ===> 53^th day

Write the LS on the job card.

3. When you have worked your way through every task on the diagram in this way you will notice that some tasks' earliest start times will be one or more days previous to their latest start times. There is no schedule flexibility for these tasks.

4. You can now schedule the dates for your final plan.

sample of activity network diagram