Elements of a Project Schedule
Schedules are used to manage and track the delivery of project components. At the most fundamental level, virtually all schedules include a Startup Phase, Design Phase, Development Phase, Implementation Phase, and Closeout Phase.
The project schedule is typically created after the scope of the project has been clearly defined and agreed to by key stakeholders. The schedule includes a detailed work breakdown structureor a detailed list of activities, tasks, and milestonesassociated with the project. As the project progresses, it is used to track projected versus actual completion of deliverables and to communicate status to both team members and management. The project schedule should be reviewed on a regular basis, such as at weekly status meetings.
Although many companies use Microsoft Project to manage the schedule, you could also use a spreadsheet or word processor to track this information. The following is a sample project schedule that could be used as the basis for your project.
PHASE I: PROJECT STARTUP
Activity: Project Kickoff
Task: Meet Project Sponsor and Project Team Members
Task: Confirm Project Scope
Task: Determine Project Contingencies, Constraints, Costs, and Dates
Activity: Start Project - Develop Project Plan
Task: Schedule Project Checkpoint Meetings
Task: Gather Initial Requirements
Task: Document and Refine Requirements
Task: Finalize Requirements
Task: Review Requirements with Stakeholders
Task: Validate Engagement Objectives and Goals
Task: Create a Project Plan and Schedule
Milestone: Obtain Approval from the Project Sponsor
PHASE II: SOLUTION DESIGN
Activity: Design the Application
Task: Determine the Overall Application Type
Task: Determine Layout of User Interface
Task: Design the Forms and Fields
Task: Design the Views
Task: Determine Authority Levels for the Database
Task: Determine Agents Required to Support the Database
Task: Document the Database Design
Task: Determine Authority Levels for All User Groups
Task: Design Reporting and Email (where applicable)
Activity: Review Architecture Design
Task: Confirm Design with Stakeholders
Task: Create Non-Functional PrototypeInclude Forms, Views, and Buttons
Task: Incorporate Feedback into Overall Database Design
Task: Confirm That Server Backup Procedures Will Include the New Database
Task: Confirm That Disaster Recovery Plan Will Include the New Database
Task: Confirm SMTP Email Routing and Firewall Settings (where applicable)
Activity: Finalize Requirements and Design
Task: Refine and Update Design
Task: Review Design with Stakeholders
Task: Finalize Project Plan and Schedule
Milestone: Freeze Design Requirements (For Initial Release)Project Baseline
PHASE III: SOLUTION DEVELOPMENT
Activity: Develop the Solution
Task: Create the Database
Task: Create the Forms
Task: Create the Views
Task: Create the User Interface
Task: Create the Action Buttons
Task: Create the Script Libraries
Task: Create the Access Control List Groups
Task: Create the Welcome Screen
Task: Create the Help Information
Task: Customize the Database Icon
Task: Manage Changes to Scope, Schedule, and Cost
Activity: Verify Solution (Quality Assurance)
Task: Conduct Unit Tests (e.g., Verify Fields)
Task: Conduct Functional Tests (e.g., Verify Functionality)
Task: Conduct System Tests (e.g., Verify End-to-End System Operations)
Task: Conduct User Acceptance Test (e.g., Customer Validation)
Milestone: Obtain UAT Approval from the Project Sponsor
PHASE IV: SOLUTION IMPLEMENTATION
Activity: Conduct Training
Task: Create Training Materials
Task: Schedule Training Sessions
Task: Conduct Training
Activity: Load Data
Task: Import Existing Data into Database (where applicable)
Task: Verify That Data Was Imported Correctly
Activity: Prepare for Deployment
Task: Activate Application/Enable Access in ACL
Task: Notify Users That System Is Up and Running
Task: Notify Support Team
Milestone: Solution Deployed
PHASE V: PROJECT CLOSEOUT
Activity: Obtain Project Signoff from Sponsor
Activity: Gather Customer Feedback
Activity: Document Lessons Learned
Activity: Transition Application to Support Team