In this module, we will delve into various programming and control techniques essential for effective project management. These techniques help project managers plan, monitor, and control project activities to ensure successful completion.

1. Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
2. Gantt Charts
3. Critical Path Method (CPM)
4. Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)
5. Earned Value Management (EVM)

A Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is a hierarchical decomposition of the total scope of work to accomplish the project objectives and create the deliverables. It organizes and defines the total work scope of the project.

Consider a project to develop a new software application. The WBS might look like this:

Create a WBS for organizing a corporate event.

Solution:

A Gantt Chart is a type of bar chart that represents a project schedule. It shows the start and finish dates of the various elements of a project.

Below is a simple Gantt Chart for a project:

Create a Gantt Chart for a project to organize a workshop.

Solution: | Task | Start Date | End Date | Duration (days) | |---------------------|------------|------------|-----------------| | Planning | 01-Feb-2023| 03-Feb-2023| 3 | | Venue Booking | 04-Feb-2023| 06-Feb-2023| 3 | | Invitations | 07-Feb-2023| 10-Feb-2023| 4 | | Material Preparation| 11-Feb-2023| 15-Feb-2023| 5 | | Workshop Day | 16-Feb-2023| 16-Feb-2023| 1 |

The Critical Path Method (CPM) is a step-by-step project management technique to identify activities on the critical path. It helps in determining the longest stretch of dependent activities and measuring the time required to complete them from start to finish.

Consider the following project activities:

The critical path is A -> B -> C -> D -> E -> F with a total duration of 19 days.

Identify the critical path for the following project activities:

Solution: The critical path is A -> B -> C -> E -> F with a total duration of 11 days.

The Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) is a statistical tool used to analyze and represent the tasks involved in completing a project. It uses three time estimates for each activity: optimistic (O), most likely (M), and pessimistic (P).

For an activity with the following estimates:

• Optimistic (O): 2 days
• Most Likely (M): 4 days
• Pessimistic (P): 6 days

The expected time (TE) is calculated as: \[ TE = \frac{O + 4M + P}{6} \]

\[ TE = \frac{2 + 4(4) + 6}{6} = \frac{2 + 16 + 6}{6} = \frac{24}{6} = 4 \text{ days} \]

Calculate the expected time for an activity with the following estimates:

• Optimistic (O): 3 days
• Most Likely (M): 5 days
• Pessimistic (P): 9 days

Solution: \[ TE = \frac{O + 4M + P}{6} \] \[ TE = \frac{3 + 4(5) + 9}{6} = \frac{3 + 20 + 9}{6} = \frac{32}{6} = 5.33 \text{ days} \]

Earned Value Management (EVM) is a project management technique for measuring project performance and progress. It integrates project scope, cost, and schedule measures to help the project management team assess and measure project performance and progress.

• Planned Value (PV): The estimated value of the work planned to be done.
• Earned Value (EV): The estimated value of the work actually accomplished.
• Actual Cost (AC): The actual cost incurred for the work accomplished.

Consider a project with the following data:

• Planned Value (PV): $10,000
• Earned Value (EV): $8,000
• Actual Cost (AC): $9,000

Calculate the following:

• Schedule Variance (SV) = EV - PV
• Cost Variance (CV) = EV - AC

Solution:

• Schedule Variance (SV) = $8,000 - $10,000 = -$2,000
• Cost Variance (CV) = $8,000 - $9,000 = -$1,000

Given the following data:

• Planned Value (PV): $15,000
• Earned Value (EV): $12,000
• Actual Cost (AC): $14,000

Calculate the Schedule Variance (SV) and Cost Variance (CV).

Solution:

• Schedule Variance (SV) = $12,000 - $15,000 = -$3,000
• Cost Variance (CV) = $12,000 - $14,000 = -$2,000

In this module, we covered several essential programming and control techniques in project management, including Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), Gantt Charts, Critical Path Method (CPM), Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT), and Earned Value Management (EVM). These tools and techniques are crucial for planning, monitoring, and controlling project activities to ensure successful project completion. Understanding and applying these techniques will significantly enhance your project management skills and contribute to the success of your projects.