PROJECT SCHEDULING AND TRACKING

We have selected an appropriate process model, we have identified the software engineering tasks that
have to be performed, we eliminated the amount of work and the number of people, we know the deadline,
we have even considered the risks. Now it’s time to connect the dots. That is, we have to create a network
of software engineering tasks that will enable we to get the job done on time. Once the network is created,
you have to assign responsibility for each task, make sure it gets done, and adapt the network as risks
becomes reality. In a nutshell, that’s software project scheduling and tracking.

Importance:

In order to build a complex system, many software engineering tasks occur in parallel, and
the result of work performed during one task may have a profound effect on work to be
conducted in another task. These interdependencies are difficult to understand without a
schedule. “It’s also virtually impossible to asses progress on a moderate or large software
project without a detailed schedule.”

Basic Principles
Software project scheduling is an activity that distributes estimated effort across the planned
project duration by allocating the effort to specific software engineering tasks. It is important to
note, however, that the schedule evolves over times. During early stages of project planning, a
macroscopic schedule is developed. This type of schedule identifies all major software
engineering activities and the product functions which they are applied. As the project gets
underway, each entry on the macroscopic schedule is refined into a detailed schedule. Here,
specific software tasks(required to accomplish an activity) are identified and scheduled.
Scheduling for software engineering projects can be viewed from two rather different
perspectives. In the first, an end-date for release of a computer-based system has already (and
irrevocably) been established. The software organization is constrained to distribute effort within
the prescribed time frame. The second view of software scheduling assumes that rough
chronological bounds have been discussed but that the end-date is set by the software
engineering organization. Effort is distributed to make best of resources and an end-date is
defined after careful analysis of the software.
Unfortunately, the first situation is encountered, the first situation is encountered far more
frequently than the second.
Like all the other areas of software engineering, a number of basic principles guide software
project scheduling.
Compartmentalization. The project must be compartmentalized into a number of manageable
activities and tasks. To accomplish compartmentalization, both the product and the process are
decomposed.
Interdependency. The interdependency of each compartmentalized activity or task must be
determined. Some tasks must occur in sequence in while others can occur in parallel. Some
activities cannot commence until the work product produced by another available. Other activities
can occur independently.
Time allocation. Each task should be scheduled must be allocated some number of work
units(e.g., person-days effort). In addition, each task must be assigned a start date and
completion date are a function of the interdependencies and whether the work will be conducted
on a full-time or part-time basis.
Effort validation. Every project has defined number of defined members. As time allocation
occurs, the project manager must ensure that no more than the allocated number of people has
been scheduled at any given time. For example, consider a project that has three assigned staff
members (e.g., 3 person-days available per day of assigned effort). On a given day, seven
concurrent tasks must be accomplished. Each task requires 0.50 person days of effort. More
effort has been allocated then there are people to do the work.
Defined responsibilities. Every task that is scheduled should be assigned to a specific team
member.
Defined outcomes. Every task is scheduled should have defined outcome. For software projects,
the outcome is normally a work product (e.g., the design of a module) or a part of work product.
Work products are often combined in deliverables.
Defined milestones. Every task or group should be associated with a project milestone. A
milestone is accomplished when one or more work products has been reviewed for quality and
has been approved.
Each of these principles is applied as the project schedule evolves.

SCHEDULING
Process Model
A linear sequential software development process model named RAD (Rapid Application
Development) is a variation of the waterfall model, and is used in our project so said.
In spite of its weakness, it has been used throughout our project because of the following:

The duration of our project has been estimated to be less than 90-days, and which is reasonably
RAD model.

The development software we use is RAD such as Visual Basic, Visual InterDev and Delphi,
which emphasizes Visual Development.

Our Project is an Information System Application and which again is a RAD.

Hence, studies and discussions over different projects were done and this model, RAD, has been
used.

Macroscopic Schedule
In order to get a general overview of the entire project the first thing that we did was the
macroscopic schedule:

Detailed Schedule
Scheduling of software project does not differ greatly from scheduling of any multitask
engineering effort. Therefore, generalized project scheduling tools and techniques can be applied
with little modification to software projects.

Difference between a macroscopic schedule and a detailed schedule:

Software project scheduling is an activity that distributes estimated efforts across the planned
project duration by allocating the effort to specific software engineering tasks. It is important to
note, however, that the schedule evolves over time. During early stages of project planning, a
macroscopic schedule is developed. This type of schedule identifies all major software
engineering activities and the project functions to which they are applied. As the project get under
way, each entry on the macroscopic schedule is refined into detailed schedule. Here, specific
software tasks are identified and scheduled.
Scheduling for software engineering projects can be viewed from rather different perspectives. In
the first, an end-date for release of a computer-based system has already been established. The
software organization is constrained to distribute effort within the prescribed time frame. The
second view of software scheduling assumes that rough chronological organization. Effort is
distributed to make best use of resources and an end-date is defined after careful analysis of the
software. Unfortunately, the first situation is encountered far more frequently than the second.

Thus it is not possible to manage a project if only a macroscopic schedule is developed

Importance of detailed schedule :

In order to build a complex system, many software-engineering tasks occur in parallel and the
result of work performed during one tasks may have a profound effect on work to conducted in
another task. These inter- dependencies are very difficult to understand without a schedule. It’s
also virtually impossible to assess progress on a moderate or large software project without a
detailed schedule.
So, It is impossible to manage a project if only a macroscopic schedule is developed.

Basic principle of software project scheduling:

The follworing basic principle in different area of software engineering

1. Compartmentalization :
The project must be compartmentalization into a number of manageable activites and tasks. To
accomplish compartmentalization, both the product and the process are decomposed.

2. Interdependency :
The interdependency of each compartmentalized activity or task must be determined. Some tasks
must occur in sequence while others can occur in parallel. Some activities cannot commence until
the work product produced by another is available. Other activities can occur independently.

3. Time allocation :
Each task to be scheduled must be allocated some number of work units. In addition, each task
must be assigned a start date and a completion date that are a function of the interdependencies
and whether work will be conducted on a full time or part time basis.

4. Effort validation :
Every project has a defined number of staff members. As time allocation occurs, the project
manager must ensure that no more that the allocated number of people have been scheduled at
any given time. For example, consider a project that has three assigned staff members. On a
given day , seven concurrent tasks must be accomplished. Each task requires 0.50 person days
of effort. More effort has been allocated that there are people to do the work.

5. Defined responsibilities :
Every task that is scheduled should be assigned to a specific team member.

6. Defined outcomes :
Every task that is scheduled should have a defined outcome. For software projects, the outcome
is normally a work product or a part of a work product. Work products are often combined in
deliverables.

7. Defined milestones :
Every task or group of tasks should be associated with a project milestone is accomplished when
one or more work products has been reviewed for quality and has been approved.

Each of these principles is applied as the project schedule evolves.

Example :

Scheduling of a software project does not differ greatly from scheduling of any multitask
engineering effort. Therefore , generalized project scheduling tools and techniques can be
applied with little modification to software projects.
Program evalutation and review technique (PERT) and critical path scheduling method (CPM) are
two project scheduling methods that can be applied to software development. Both techniques
are driven by information already developed in earlier project planning activities.
Estimates of efforts
A decomposition of the product function
The selection of the appropriate process model and task set
Decomposition of tasks

Interdependencies among tasks may be defined using a task network. Tasks, sometimes called
the project work breakdown structure (WBS), are defined for the product as a whole or for
individual functions.
Both PERT and CPM provide quantitive tools that allow the software planner to
(1) Determine the critical path- the chain of tasks that determines the duration of the project.
(2) Establish “most likely” time estimate for individual tasks by applying statistical models.
(3) Calculate “boundary times” that define a time “window” for particular task.

Boundary time calculation can be very useful in software project scheduling slippage in the
designing of one function, for example, can retard further development or other functions. Riggs
describes important boundary times that may be discerned from PERT and CPM network. (1) The
earliest time that a task can begin when all preceding tasks are completed in the shortest
possible time, (2) the latest time for task initialization before the minimum project completion time
is delayed, (3) the earliest finish-the sum of the earliest start and the task duration, (4) the latest
finish surplus time or leeway allowed in scheduling tasks so that the network critical path is
maintained on the schedule. Boundary time calculations lead to determination of critical path and
provide the manager with a quantitative method for evaluating progress as tasks are completed.
Both PERT and CPM have been implemented a wide variety of automated tools that are available
for the personal computer. Such tools are easy to use and make the scheduling methods.
Some of the advantages of PERT are as follows:

It enforces the manager to plan.

It shows the interrelationships among the tasks in the project and, in particular, clearly identifies
the critical path of the project, thus helping to focus on it.

It exposes all possible parallelism in the activities and thus helps in allocating resources.

It allows scheduling and simulation of alternative schedules.

It enables the manager to monitor and control the project.

Despite these advantages, PERT is just a tool, and it use does not automatically guarantee the
success of the project. The manager has much latitude in hoe PERT is used. For example, the
granularity of the manager.
Many variations of PERT charts are possible. For example, we could be interested in the earliest
time in which an event can be accomplished or the latest time in which it can be accomplished. In
the model presented, there is one resources associated with each activity, that of time. We can
also incorporate other resources, such has personnel requirements or computer time, to help with
budgeting for the project.
PERT is highly developed methodology, and full descriptions of it are widely available. Many
variations of PERT exist, some of which are incorporated into computer programs and are
available as computerized project management systems.
Over the years computer business has had its share of failures in terms of systems which were
not completed on schedule, cost substantially more than the original budget, were less than
successful in meeting the users requirements or which collapsed. This is not just what happened
in the past; failures and disasters still occur. The most likely to be first-time user and since many
functional management departments are likely to be first-time users it is worth considering how
problems can arise and also the stages which a system must pass through
from time the initial seed is sown through to a review of well the resulting system is performing.
Various factors can be identified as contributing to unsuccessful systems development and
among the most important are:

The failure to establish clearly what the system should do – not finding out the true requirements
of the user(s).

The lack of top management involvement with the system, leading perhaps to the failure to take
proper policy decisions.

Inaccurate or unreasonable original estimates of the effort required and the costs involved –
computer people (in particular computer sales people) are notoriously optimistic when it comes to
proposing implementation timetables.

The lack of proper systems development methodology and standards.

The lack of proper communications between everyone involved in the system.

The lack of appropriate training and procedures.