Mind Map

My Article & Examples: http://kishore.malani.googlepages.com/mindmaps

Softwares
    - Free Software: FREEMIND: http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

    - Article on studenttabletpc.com about MindManager Pro-7


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Critical Path Analyses

Critical Path Analyses are presented using circle and arrow diagrams.

In these, circles show events within the project, such as the start and finish of tasks. Circles are normally numbered to allow you to identify them.

An arrow running between two event circles shows the activity needed to complete that task. A description of the task is written underneath the arrow. The length of the task is shown above it. By convention, all arrows run left to right.

Key points:

Critical Path Analysis is an effective and powerful method of assessing:

• What tasks must be carried out.
• Where parallel activity can be performed.
• The shortest time in which you can complete a project.
• Resources needed to execute a project.
• The sequence of activities, scheduling and timings involved.
• Task priorities.
• The most efficient way of shortening time on urgent projects.

An effective Critical Path Analysis can make the difference between success and failure on complex projects. It can be very useful for assessing the importance of problems faced during the implementation of the plan.

Example: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newPPM_99.htm

How to plan a project using CPA

http://www.mindtools.com/critpath.html

[source: MindTools Inc, Wikipedia]

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PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique)

PERT is a variant of Critical Path Analysis that takes a more skeptical view of the time needed to complete each project stage.

To use it, estimate the shortest possible time each activity will take, the most likely length of time, and the longest time that might be taken if the activity takes longer than expected.

Use the formula below to calculate the time to use for each project stage:

shortest time + 4 x likely time + longest time
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This helps to bias time estimates away from the unrealistically short time-scales normally assumed.

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Gantt Chart

How to plan a project using a Gantt Chart (step by step procedure)

    http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newPPM_03.htm

"Planned outcomes, not planned actions"

    If the WBS designer attempts to capture any action-oriented details in the WBS, he/she will likely include either too many actions or too few actions. Too many actions will exceed 100% of the parent's scope and too few will fall short of 100% of the parent's scope. The best way to adhere to the 100% Rule is to define WBS elements in terms of outcomes or results. [WBS: work breakdown structure]

The 100% Rule

One of the most important WBS design principles is called the 100% Rule.^[9] The Practice Standard for Work Breakdown Structures (Second Edition), published by the Project Management Institute (PMI) defines the 100% Rule as follows:

The 100% Rule...states that the WBS includes 100% of the work defined by the project scope and captures all deliverables – internal, external, interim – in terms of the work to be completed, including project management. The 100% rule is one of the most important principles guiding the development, decomposition and evaluation of the WBS. The rule applies at all levels within the hierarchy: the sum of the work at the “child” level must equal 100% of the work represented by the “parent” and the WBS should not include any work that falls outside the actual scope of the project, that is, it cannot include more than 100% of the work… It is important to remember that the 100% rule also applies to the activity level. The work represented by the activities in each work package must add up to 100% of the work necessary to complete the work package. (p. 8)

Softwares
- Microsoft Project
- Can be made using MS Office - Excel, template availble on net (google for 'Gantt Chart')