6.1 Plan Schedule Management
Process Definition
Planning schedule management results in creating a plan for developing, controlling and closing the project schedule. It is important to note that the plan is about how the schedule will be managed, not the actual schedule itself. It should clearly identify the tools that should be used, such as Microsoft Project, recommended templates, the configuration management and control processes that should be followed, reporting requirements and closure process.
Process Assessment
A schedule management plan has never been useful for me. My organizations usually have existing processes embedded into the culture and followed by teams. Schedules are done in MSProject, and progress reporting is done weekly with percent complete identification. I've never seen a need for this process.
Figure 9. Create WBS: Inputs, Tools and Techniques, and Outputs. Reprinted from "A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide), 5th Edition" by Project Management Institute, 2013, p. 145. Copyright 2013 by Project Management Institute, Inc. Reprinted without permission.
- Fence Construction Project Charter: Example of a project charter, developed in PMGT 501 for a project to build a backyard privacy fence. It is an input to the "Plan Schedule Management" process, providing summary milestones and management approval guidelines.
- Expert Judgment: This essay from PMGT 612 outlines tools and techniques best practices for developing a schedule management plan.
- Schedule Management Plan: This schedule management plan was created specifically for this portfolio example as an output to the "Plan Schedule Management" process. It outlines the tools, development processes, reporting, change management and closure requirements for the project schedule.