Activity Definition and Sequencing

Activity Definition involves breaking down project scope into specific, manageable work packages that can be scheduled, monitored, and controlled. It transforms the WBS components into concrete activities that team members will perform. The process includes identifying all required activities, documenting their characteristics, and ensuring they align with project objectives. Key elements of Activity Definition include: 1. Creating a comprehensive activity list 2. Defining activity attributes (duration, resources, constraints) 3. Ensuring activities are at an appropriate level of detail 4. Verifying that activities collectively achieve deliverables Activity Sequencing follows definition and establishes logical relationships between activities to create a realistic project schedule. It determines which activities must precede others (predecessors) and which must follow (successors). Sequencing techniques include: 1. Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM) - Shows dependencies through network diagrams 2. Dependency determination - Mandatory, discretionary, external, or internal relationships 3. Leads and lags application - Acceleration or delays between activities Four primary dependency types guide sequencing: - Finish-to-Start (FS): Predecessor must finish before successor starts - Start-to-Start (SS): Predecessor must start before successor starts - Finish-to-Finish (FF): Predecessor must finish before successor finishes - Start-to-Finish (SF): Predecessor must start before successor finishes Effective activity definition and sequencing create the foundation for schedule development, resource allocation, and critical path analysis. These processes transform abstract project objectives into concrete, executable steps with logical relationships. For PMI Scheduling Professionals, mastering these processes is essential for developing realistic and achievable project schedules that balance constraints while maintaining alignment with project objectives.

Activity Definition involves breaking down project scope into specific, manageable work packages that can be scheduled, monitored, and controlled. It transforms the WBS components into concrete activ…

Concepts covered: Leads and Lags, Templates, Activity List, Estimating Activity Durations, Activity Attributes, Rolling Wave Planning, Schedule Network Diagrams, Critical Path Method (CPM), Schedule Network Templates, Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM), Critical Path Method, Dependency Determination, Milestone List, Decomposition, Schedule Network Diagram