Network

Conventions and the

Network Diagram

Engr.
JJGonzales
■ The making and reading of a network diagram requires
some familiarity of the network conventions. One of the
main features of PERT and CPM is their use of a
network or a precedence diagram which is the key in
solving typical problems. The precedence diagram,
clearly indicate which of the activities must be
performed in the sequence and which can be performed
independently with each other. The network diagram is
composed of a number of Arrows and Nodes.
■ A network diagram is a visual representation
of network architecture. It maps out the structure of
a network with a variety of different symbols and line
connections. It is the ideal way to share the layout of
a network because the visual presentation makes it
easier for users to understand how items are connected.
■ There are two slightly different conventions for making
a network diagram. They are:

1. Activity on Arrow ( AOA ) – that is using arrows to designate activities.

2. Activity on Node ( AON ) – using nodes to designate activities.

A B A B
1 2 3
AON AOA
The nodes in the AOA approach represents the beginning and the end of the
activities, which are called event. Events are point in time. Unlike activities,
they do not consume either resources or time. Activities can be referred to in
many ways.
■ One is by their end points such as activity 1-2 and the
other is by a letter assigned to an arrow such as activity
a,b,c, etc. The network describes sequential relationships
among different activities on a project
■ Activity on arrow is preferred by most engineers because
it can easily denote the passage of time therefore better
suited (than a node) to represent a task.
THE ELEMENTS OF NETWORK DIAGRAMMING

Figure a
A B

A Figure b
C
B
A B Figure c

C
A B Figure d

C D
A C Figure e
X
B D

A C Figure
y
B D
Principles in networking or arrow diagram
■ Principle no. 1
That everything in the network or arrow diagram must
have a meaning. Thus;
a. Every arrow represents an item of work and is called
ACTIVITY.
Excavation

b. An EVENT is the starting point of an activity

represented by a circle, square or any geometrical form.
Excavation
c. An ACTIVITY is dependent upon and cannot begin until
after the completion of all preceding ACTIVITIES.
Making forms Pour footing slab
3
Order and deliver cement

d. All activities that start with the same event cannot begin
until after the completion of all activities that enter that
event/node
Making forms Pour footing slab
3

Order and deliver cement Pour pedestal

In figure d, pouring of footing slab and pedestal, depends
upon the completion of the two activities that enter into
their common starting point 3. Hence, it is impossible to
pour concrete on footing slab or pedestal until after making
both forms and delivery of cement have been completed.
Secure bldg. permit Staking
Batter boards
Clearing the site Digging
5

In this diagram, the three activities of staking, batter boards

and digging which start from event 5 must wait until all
activities entering event 5 have been entirely completed.
■ Principle no. 2
That an activity has a single definite starting point and a
single definite ending point.
An arrow in the network must satisfy two basic questions:
1. What activities must be completed before this one can
start?
2. What activities cannot be started if this one is not
completed?
Pour Footing Block laying
4

1
Digging 2
Forms 3
Wall footing
●Principle no. 3
The network (arrow diagram) does not describe
relationships but rather dependency relationships.

The length and direction of an activity arrow has no

relationship with the amount of time required to
accomplish the work presented by it. Similarly, two
activities starting the same events do not necessarily occur
at the same time.
3
A B
1 2

4
C
The arrow diagram defines the activity dependency
situations that exist. Activities B and C does not mean that
both activities must be conducted at the same time. They
might but probably will not. What is important to note here
is that these 2 activities are independent.
● Principle no. 4
That the network (arrow diagram) is hardly ever done to a
single person.
The accomplishment of the schedule made in the network
diagram is influenced by several number of people who
have something to do with the project and should be
consulted when making the network.
Likewise, the sub-contractors and the supplier should be
asked to review the network to be sure that the activities
affecting their participation is accurately and realistically
described.
 Illustration : From the ff. table of information,draw a
precedence diagram, find the critical path
Activity Predecessor Expected Time (days)
A --- 4
B A 12
C A 2
D C 5
E --- 3
F E 8
G --- 12
H G 9
I B,D,F 1
J I 3
K H 15
 Activity
Activity
Like
Activity
Activity “I”
Predecessor
“D”
“G”
“C”
“E”
on has
ofhas
activity
Activity “H”
“B”
“A”
“G” is
hasmultiple
Activity
“A”, “C”
the
does
has
Arrow Predecessors,
“J”
ashave
its
Activity
“A” is
predecessor
the same
not
no aActivity
prdecessor
“E”
predecessor
(AOA) also has
Predecessor, Activity
“I”
asno
of activity
Activity
Predecessor
predecessor “H”
“B”,
“F” “B”,”D”,”F”
predecessor
“K”
therefore its arrow
therefore its will
arrowstart
willatalso
the node ending
start from of “A”
node anding of “A”

B-12
2

A-4 C-2
5 D-5 7
I-1 8
J-3 9

1
E-3 F-8
4

G-12
3
H-9 6
K-15

Network diagram for Illustration

■ Using the network diagram, it will be easier to track
which activity should be done by a given time, it will be
easier to see which activity should be next, and the
network diagram is also the easiest way to use in finding
the critical path (the possible length of the given project).
■ In this example we have paths
– A-B-I-J = 20
– A-B-C-D-I-J = 15
– E-F-I-J = 15
– G-H-K = 36 CRITICAL PATH