📘 Build the Project Network (Software Project Management)
🔹 1. Definition
A Project Network is a graphical representation of project activities and their dependencies, showing the sequence in which tasks must be performed to complete the project.
👉 In simple words:
It is a flow diagram of tasks that shows what comes before and after each activity.
🔹 2. Purpose of Project Network
- Shows logical order of activities
- Helps in scheduling and planning
- Identifies critical path and delays
- Improves coordination among tasks
- Supports techniques like CPM and PERT
🔹 3. Key Components
🔸 1. Activities
- Tasks required to complete the project
👉 Example: Design, Coding, Testing
🔸 2. Events (Milestones)
- Start or completion points of activities
🔸 3. Dependencies
- Relationship between tasks
👉 Example: Testing cannot start before Coding is finished
🔹 4. Types of Project Network Diagrams
🔸 1. AON (Activity on Node) ⭐
- Activities are shown in nodes (boxes)
- Arrows show dependencies
👉 Most commonly used in software projects
🔸 2. AOA (Activity on Arrow)
- Activities are shown on arrows
- Nodes represent events
🔹 5. Steps to Build a Project Network
🔸 Step 1: Identify Activities
Break project into tasks (from WBS)
👉 Example:
- A = Requirement Analysis
- B = Design
- C = Coding
- D = Testing
🔸 Step 2: Determine Dependencies
Find which task depends on others
👉 Example:
- Design depends on Requirement
- Coding depends on Design
- Testing depends on Coding
🔸 Step 3: Arrange Activities in Sequence
Order tasks logically based on dependencies
🔸 Step 4: Draw Network Diagram
Represent activities using AON or AOA format
🔸 Step 5: Assign Time Estimates
Add duration to each activity
🔸 Step 6: Verify Logic
Ensure:
- No missing tasks
- No circular dependencies
- Proper flow from start to end
🔹 6. Example Project Network
📌 Activities:
| Activity |
Description |
Depends On |
| A |
Requirement |
— |
| B |
Design |
A |
| C |
Coding |
B |
| D |
Testing |
C |
📊 Network Diagram (AON Style):
A → B → C → D
👉 Flow:
Requirement → Design → Coding → Testing
🔹 7. Key Rules for Building Network
- Each activity must have clear start and end
- Dependencies must be logical
- No task should be left disconnected
- Use left-to-right flow
- Avoid loops (circular dependencies)
🔹 8. Importance of Project Network
- Helps in Critical Path Method (CPM)
- Improves project scheduling accuracy
- Identifies bottlenecks and delays
- Supports resource allocation
- Enhances project visibility
🔹 9. Common Mistakes
❌ Missing dependencies
❌ Wrong sequence of tasks
❌ Not defining start/end clearly
❌ Overcomplicated diagrams
🔹 10. Short Summary
- A project network shows activities and their dependencies
- Built using steps: identify → sequence → draw → assign time
- Two types: AON (preferred) and AOA
- Used for planning, scheduling, and CPM analysis
🔹 11. Quick Exam Answer (2–3 lines)
A project network is a graphical representation of project activities and their dependencies. It is built by identifying tasks, defining their sequence, and drawing a diagram that shows the flow of work from start to finish.
🔹 12. Likely Exam Questions
- Define project network.
- Explain steps to build a project network.
- Differentiate between AON and AOA diagrams.
- What are dependencies in project networks?
- Why is a project network important?
- Draw a simple project network for a given example.