Sequencing Project Activities

Learn to sequence the work in your project.

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Course: On-Demand

(gentle dramatic flourish) In these lessons, we'll go over the different types of relationships and dependencies between work activities. We'll also look at some other considerations for scheduling tasks. The project-sequence activities process identifies the relationships between the project activities. The process's goal is to put work into a logical and optimal sequence and transform the activities list into a diagram. The most common diagramming technique is the Precedence Diagramming Method. These diagrams can be produced with multiple software programs and they can also be hand drawn. With the Precedence Diagramming Method, all activities, except the first and the last, are connected to at least two other activities. Each activity has at least one predecessor. An activity that is completed first and at least one successor which is next in the sequence. The first activity only has successors and the last activity only has predecessors. This method doesn't allow for loops that returned to earlier tasks to be repeated. Four types of relationships can exist between activities. The most common and frequently used relationship is known as Finish-to-Start, where one task must finish before the next begins. The three other relationships are Start-to-Start, where two activities may begin simultaneously, like leveling concrete as soon as the pouring starts. Finish-to-Finish, where two activities may end simultaneously, like editing a book while it's being written, and Start-to-Finish, where a successor activity cannot finish until the predecessor activity begins, like studying for a test for as long as possible until the test starts. Two activities may share more than one relationship. For example, they may need to start and end together with Start-to-Start and Finish to Finish relationships. Since multiple connections can make creating and understanding schedules complex, it's recommended to choose just one. The relationship that best represents the work is the most impactful. For example, suppose that you have a Start-to-Start relationship and a Finish-to-Finish relationship. In that case, the Finish-to-Finish relationship indicating the work must end at the same time, would be the best to retain, since noting the end of the work is more important.

Intermediate Provider : Ray Frohnhoefer 6 Lessons · 17m in Arabic, German, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Chinese

Course Description

Once the project’s scope is well-understood, the next step in the scheduling process is to sequence the work. In this module, we will go over the different types of relationships and dependencies between work activities. We will also consider how to add lead and lag time to project activities and consider activity sequencing best practices.

What You'll Learn

Sequence project activities once the project scope is well-understood
Identify the different types of relationships and dependencies between work activities
Apply lead time and lag time to project activities
Use dependencies, relationships, lead time, and lag time to sequence project work
Follow activity sequencing best practices
Add milestones to the project sequence

Key Takeaways

Sequencing the work is the next step in the scheduling process once the project's scope is well-understood.
The module covers the different types of relationships and dependencies between work activities.
Lead time and lag time can be added to project activities when sequencing the work.
Activity sequencing best practices and the addition of milestones are part of sequencing project work.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this course cover?

This module covers the different types of relationships and dependencies between work activities, how to add lead and lag time to project activities, and activity sequencing best practices.

What will I learn in this course?

You will learn about work activity dependencies and relationships, and how to use dependencies, relationships, lead time, lag time, and best practices to sequence project work.

When in the project process does activity sequencing happen?

Sequencing the work is the next step in the scheduling process once the project's scope is well-understood.

What lessons are included in this course?

The lessons are The Project Sequence Activities Process, Identify Activity Dependencies, Adding Lead and Lag Time, Activity Sequencing Best Practices, Addition of Milestones, and Test Your Knowledge.

Professional Certifications and Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

Project Management Institute (PMI®)

Professional Development Units (PDUs): 0.5

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