Identify Project Activities:

• Start by identifying all the tasks and activities that need to be completed to deliver the project objectives.

• Break down the project scope into smaller, manageable components or work packages, each representing a specific deliverable or milestone.

Sequence Activities:

• Determine the logical sequence in which project activities should be performed, considering dependencies, constraints, and pre-requisites.

• Use techniques such as dependency mapping to visualise the relationships between activities and establish their sequence.

Estimate Activity Durations:

• Estimate the time required to complete each project activity, taking into account factors such as resource availability, productivity rates, working hours, and potential risks or uncertainties.

• Use historical data, expert judgment and analogous estimation techniques to estimate activity durations accurately.

Allocate Resources:

• Identify the resources (e.g., personnel, equipment, materials) needed to execute each project activity effectively.

• Allocate resources to activities based on their requirements, availability, and criticality to ensure that sufficient resources are available when needed.

Define Milestones and Deliverables:

• Identify key milestones and deliverables that mark significant stages of the project's progress or signify the completion of important phases.

• Define clear criteria and acceptance criteria for each milestone and deliverable to facilitate validation.

Develop a Project Schedule:

• Use the information gathered from the previous steps to develop a comprehensive project schedule that outlines the start and finish dates for each activity, milestone, and deliverable.

• Consider factors such as project constraints (e.g., time, cost, scope), resource availability, and critical path analysis to optimise the project schedule and ensure alignment with project objectives.

Review and Validate the Schedule:

• Review the project schedule with key stakeholders, including the project team, clients, sponsors, and other relevant parties, to validate its accuracy, feasibility, and alignment with project goals.

• Incorporate feedback and address any concerns or constraints identified during the review process to refine the schedule as needed.

Document the Timeline:

• Document the project timeline in a clear, concise, and accessible format, such as a Gantt chart, project management software, or a project schedule spreadsheet.

• Include key information such as activity names, durations, start and finish dates, dependencies and milestones to provide a comprehensive overview of the project timeline.

Monitor and Control Progress:

• Continuously monitor and track progress against the project timeline to ensure that activities are being completed as planned and that milestones are being achieved on schedule.

• Implement effective project controls and reporting mechanisms to identify deviations, delays, or risks to the project schedule promptly and take corrective actions to address them.

• Regularly update the project timeline to reflect changes in project scope, schedule adjustments, resource reallocations, or other factors that may impact project progress.