Templates

The define and sequence activities processes involve taking the work packages created in the WBS and decomposing them into the activities that are required to produce the work package deliverables and thus achieve the project objectives! Remember that the work packages are the project's what, the activities for the schedule are how we will do it. The activities should be at a level small enough to estimate, schedule, monitor, and control. These activities are then sequenced. Breaking down the project work into the work packages in the WBS is part of scope management, the identification of activities is part of schedule management. 

 

Guidelines to Sequence Project Activities 

Review the schedule management plan for information on the scheduling method and tool, and information on how activities may be sequenced.  

• Determine the dependencies among project activities by using your activity list and product descriptions.  

• Identify predecessor and successor activities by reviewing the activity attributes for each activity, including predecessor or successor relationships.  

• Review the milestone list for the dates for specific schedule milestone events.  

• Review the project scope statement for the scope description, deliverables, constraints, and assumptions that may affect activity sequencing.  

• Review the EEFs such as government or industry standards, Project Management Information System, scheduling tool, and work authorization systems.  

• Review the OPAs such as activity planning policies, procedures, guidelines, and templates.  

• Use tools and techniques such as Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM), dependency determination, and leads* and lags* to develop the project schedule network diagram.  

• Document the project schedule network diagram and update any project documents as needed.

 

We provide helpful templates in most of our courses, and this is one of the most popular. Click here to download your own copy of the Project Activity List template. Come back often to see other templates to help your projects thrive!