Schedule Development

Schedule Development Overview

Scheduling is the act of developing a schedule which is a series of tasks that need to be accomplished in a specific sequence within a given period of time. These tasks grouped together achieve a common goal on a project or program. Scheduling is one of the three main tasks of program management which are; Cost, Schedule, and Performance.

Scheduling is a key aspect of program management planning and is integral to a program’s Acquisition Strategy, Technical Baseline, Risk Management Plan (RMP), financial plan, and Requirements Development. It forms the foundation for executing the DoD Procurement (Acquisition, JCIDS, and PPBE) process and developing a program’s Integrated Master Schedule (IMS), Integrated Master Plan (IMP), and Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). In addition, scheduling is an important element of the other program management functions including; Organizing, Staffing, Controlling, and Leading.

Benefits of Scheduling

Effective scheduling supports the following key program management activities:[1]

  • Provides the basis for effective communications within the government team and with contractors
  • Identifies a baseline for program status monitoring, reporting, and program control
  • Facilitates management
  • Provides the basis for resource analysis and Resource Leveling, exploration of alternatives, and cost/time tradeoff studies

5 Steps for Schedule Development

There are a number of steps that are associated with the actual Development of a Schedule. These tasks should follow a structured approach and include all stakeholders. These tasks include:

Schedule Preparation

Scheduling Topics

Program Managers (PM) must have a good working knowledge of scheduling practices and applications (such as Gantt, Milestone, and Network Diagrams) in order to achieve program goals. Tasks that should be understood by a PM include:

AcqLinks and References:

Updated: 7/14/2021

Rank: G1

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