This learning activity is designed to demonstrate students understanding of scheduling by using estimates from the Work Breakdown Structure $($WBS$),$ as opposed to cost estimates from the top. It involves plotting activities on a network diagram.

Starting from the lowest level of the WBS$,$ activities are identified that could be estimated as work packages. Students are expected to calculate the person$-$hours for these work packages and determine the skill and experience of the resources that will execute them. This will help determine the time it will take to complete the activities.

However, allowances are made for the potential risk of not completing the activities as initially estimated. This allowance constitutes the float or buffer. Considering resource availability and the order of precedence $($mandatory or discretionary$),$ the activities are sequenced in a network diagram within their constraints.

The network diagram will represent the schedule, while the critical path will represent the project duration. Students understanding of these concepts will be assessed based on their feedback during a presentation session. This activity aims to equip students with practical skills in project scheduling and resource estimation.

Activity

Project Scheduling Workshop

The class should be divided into small groups and assigned a hypothetical project. Each group will need to identify activities that could be estimated as work packages from the lowest level of the WBS$.$ They will calculate the person$-$hours for these work packages and determine the skill and experience of the resources that will execute them. This will help determine the time it will take to complete the activities.

Network Diagram Activity

In this activity, students will create a network diagram representing the schedule of their hypothetical project. They will sequence the activities within their constraints, considering resource availability and the order of precedence. They will also need to calculate the float or buffer for each activity to account for the potential risk of not completing the activities as initially estimated. The critical path on the network diagram will represent the project duration.

Remember, the goal is not just to understand the theory but also to apply it in practical scenarios. This will help them in their future roles as project managers or team members.

Demonstrate your knowledge of scheduling $-$ by estimates from your WBS as opposed to cost estimate from WBS$.$

Plotting activities on Network diagram.