Dr.

Farah Abbas Naser

BASRAH ENGINEERING
TECHNICAL COLLEGE
 FOURTH STAGE – ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT / LECTURE 2

Project Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling

1. Project Planning
Project planning is the process of defining the scope, objectives, and deliverables of
a project, and developing a plan to achieve them. It involves identifying the tasks
that need to be completed, estimating the time and resources required for each task,
and creating a schedule for the project. The following are some key components of
project planning:
• Scope: The scope of a project defines what will be delivered and what will
not be delivered. It is important to clearly define the scope of a project to avoid
scope creep, which is the tendency for the scope of a project to expand beyond
its original boundaries.
• Objectives: The objectives of a project define what the project is intended to
achieve. They should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-
bound (SMART).
• Deliverables: The deliverables of a project are the tangible or intangible
products, services, or results that will be produced by the project.
• Tasks: Tasks are the individual activities that need to be completed to achieve
the objectives of the project.
• Schedule: The schedule of a project defines when each task will be completed
and how long it will take.

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Why project planning is important?

1. It clarifies the process and activities that will lead to the project's outputs and
deliverables.
2. It gives you information that enables you to estimate properly and define a
project's outputs and project scope.
3. It enables you to visualize the entire project and see the interdependencies
between tasks.
4. It serves as a guide to keep everyone on the same page and working towards the
same goals.

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5. It helps you identify potential risks and issues and course-correct if necessary.
6. It facilitates effective communication among and within teams.
7. It helps track key performance factors and store data.

To write an effective project plan, you need to follow some essential steps:
1. Explain the project to key stakeholders, define goals, and get initial buy-in.
2. Define the project's scope and set realistic goa ls and timelines.
3. Identify potential risks and issues and develop a risk management plan.
4. Create a project schedule and allocate resources.
5. Monitor and adjust the plan as needed.
6. Communicate the plan to all stakeholders and team members.

2. Project Scheduling
Project scheduling is the process of creating a schedule for a project that defines
when each task will be completed and how long it will take. It involves identifying
the dependencies between tasks and determining the critical path of the project. The
critical path is the sequence of tasks that must be completed on time for the project
to be completed on schedule. A project schedule is created during the planning phase
and includes the following:
1. A project timeline with start dates, end dates, and milestones.
2. The work necessary to complete the project deliverables.
3. The costs, resources, and dependencies associated with each task.
4. The team members that are responsible for each task.

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 FOURTH STAGE – ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT / LECTURE 2

In this lecture, we will discuss the steps involved in scheduling a project. Steps to
Scheduling a Project:
• Define Activities: The first step in scheduling a project is to define the
activities that need to be completed. This involves breaking down the project
into smaller tasks and identifying the dependencies between them. Many
project managers use network diagrams when scheduling a project.
• Sequence Activities: Once the activities have been defined, the next step is
to sequence them in the right order. This involves identifying the
dependencies between the tasks and determining which tasks need to be
completed before others can begin. The critical path is the longest sequence
of tasks that must be completed in order to finish the project on time. The
critical path determines the overall duration of the project.
• Estimate Resources: The next step is to estimate the resources needed to
complete each task. This includes identifying the people, equipment, and
materials required for each task. It is important to ensure that the resources
are available when needed and that they are used efficiently.
• Estimate Time: Once the resources have been identified, the next step is to
estimate the time it will take to complete each task. This involves considering
factors such as the complexity of the task, the skill level of the team members,
and any potential risks or issues that may arise. It is important to be realistic
when estimating the time required for each task.
• Develop the Schedule: Once all the tasks have been sequenced, and the
resources and time estimates have been made, the project schedule can be
developed. The project schedule should include start and end dates for each

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task, as well as milestones and deadlines. It should also identify the team
members responsible for each task and the resources required for each task.
• Monitor and Control: Once the project schedule has been developed, it is
important to monitor and control the project to ensure that it stays on track.
This involves tracking progress against the schedule, identifying any potential
risks or issues, and making adjustments as necessary. It is important to
communicate any changes to the project schedule to the team members and
stakeholders.
The following are some key components of project scheduling.
• Network Diagram: A network diagram is a graphical representation of the
interrelationships of project activities. It provides a visual representation of
the tasks and how they relate to one another.
• Milestones: Milestones are significant events in the project that mark the
completion of a major phase or deliverable.
• Dependencies: Dependencies are the relationships between tasks that
determine the order in which they must be completed.
• Critical Path: The critical path is the sequence of tasks that must be
completed on time for the project to be completed on schedule.

3. Project Controlling
Project controlling is the process of monitoring and controlling the progress of a
project to ensure that it is completed on time, within budget, and to the satisfaction
of stakeholders. It involves tracking the actual progress of the project against the

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planned progress, identifying variances, and taking corrective action when

necessary.
The following are some key components of project controlling
Monitoring: Monitoring involves tracking the actual progress of the project against
the planned progress.
• Controlling: Controlling involves taking corrective action when necessary to
keep the project on track.
• Reporting: Reporting involves communicating the progress of the project to
stakeholders.
• Change Management: Change management involves managing changes to
the project scope, objectives, or deliverables.
• Risk Management: Risk management involves identifying and managing
risks that could impact the project.

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