Chapter 6 “Project Time Management” (pp. 141–192)

This chapter provides an overview of processes that can be used to manage a project so that it is completed on time: defining activities, sequencing activities, estimating activity resources, estimating activity durations, developing a schedule, and controlling a schedule.

Biffi, M.-H. (2008). Linking the estimate, the schedule and the cost control through a standardized WBS. AACE International Transactions, 1–11.

Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

This article explores how a WBS can link almost all the aspects of a project. The author describes how a WBS can be the starting point for many other documents that organize a project.

Fretty, P. (2012). On the right track. PM Network, 26(9), 50–55.

Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

This article examines the consequences of accelerating a project schedule and provides guidelines for when a project should be “fast-tracked.”

Pells, D. L. (2012). Seek the truth! [Special section, Editorial]. PM World Today, 14(2), 1–10.

Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

The author of this editorial stresses the importance of honesty in project planning and project management in general, providing numerous examples in which honesty leads to better outcomes.

Somani, S. (2008, August). On deadline. PM Network, 22(8),  26.

Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

In this article, the author discusses the importance of adhering to set timelines in project management.

Wing, K. T. (2010). The discipline of finishing. Strategic Finance, 92(1), 17–18.

Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

This article provides guidelines for successfully completing projects. The author examines topics such as schedule conflicts, ineffective time management, and self-imposed discipline.

Office Online (2014). Link tasks in a project. Retrieved from https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Link-tasks-in-a-project-31b918ce-4b71-475c-9d6b-0ee501b4be57?ui=en-US&rs=en-US&ad=US

In this article, the author describes the different types of task dependencies and offers suggestions for choosing the correct dependency type.

Heather. (2008, July 28). Back to basics: Understanding task dependencies [Blog post]. Retrieved from http://blogs.msdn.com/b/project/archive/2008/07/29/back-to-basics-understanding-task-dependencies.aspx

This article reviews the four types of dependencies available in Microsoft Project. The author provides guidelines for when each dependency type is appropriate.

Document: Individual Project Overview (PDF)

This document provides an overview of the Individual Project you will work on throughout this course.

Required Media

Laureate Education (Producer). (2013d). Planning, part II: Scheduling project activities and resources[Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 19 minutes.

In this presentation, the participants discuss the scheduling of project activities and resources and the software tools that can be used to do so. They also explain what is meant in project management by “the critical path.”