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AIC AO: Planning, Scheduling, and Schedule Control

AIC AO · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.

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Planning, Scheduling, and Schedule Control

Planning, Scheduling, and Schedule Control tests work breakdown, activity sequencing, critical path method, float, resource management, and delay analysis. Expect network logic and schedule-update questions.

Core rules

  • A work breakdown structure decomposes scope into manageable work packages. Activities have durations, dependencies, and calendars.
  • Dependencies include finish-to-start, start-to-start, finish-to-finish, and start-to-finish. Lag adds time; lead overlaps.
  • The forward pass gives early dates; the backward pass gives late dates. Total float = LS - ES = LF - EF. Critical path has zero total float.
  • Free float is the time an activity can slip without delaying the next activity. Total float is slip without delaying project completion.
  • Resource leveling may change the critical path; crashing adds resources and cost; fast-tracking overlaps phases and increases risk.
  • Schedule control compares planned versus actual, updates logic and durations, and documents delays.

Worked example. Path A-B-C is 3 + 4 + 2 = 9 days. Path A-D-C is 3 + 5 + 2 = 10 days. The critical path is A-D-C at 10 days. Activity B has total float of 1 day. If B slips 2 days, path A-B-C becomes 11 days and the critical path shifts. The scheduler must re-run the network, not just note the slip.

Traps

  • Confusing total float with free float.
  • Ignoring calendar days versus workdays.
  • Forgetting lag or lead in the network.
  • Crashing a noncritical activity and expecting schedule savings.
  • Updating the bar chart without updating logic.