Process Definition

Defining activities is the process of breaking down each deliverable into specific actions which will directly support the accomplishment of that deliverable, as outlined in the WBS.  Breaking down each deliverable makes it possible to establish the budget and set the project timeline.  With the finite detail established, monitoring and controlling of each activity is possible.  

Figure 10. Define Activities: Inputs, Tools and Techniques, and Outputs. Reprinted from "A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide), 5th Edition" by Project Management Institute, 2013, p. 149. Copyright 2013 by Project Management Institute, Inc. Reprinted without permission.

Process Assessment 

This process takes a project baseline and plans from what needs to happen to meet the project sponsor and stakeholder's needs, to each distinguishable, measurable, and controllable activity required to make the project happen.  It is from these activities that we create project milestones.

ARTIFACTS

1. PMGT 612 WBS 8 Plan Schedule MGMT: As an input to the Defining Activities Process, the schedule management plan provides the level of detail needed to support activity definition.  
2. Kerzner Office Equipment Case Study: As a technique, the Kerzner Office Equipment Case Study involves the importance of expert judgement in identifying and overcoming organizational barriers.  
3. Fukushima Schedule: As an output to the Define Activities Process, milestones are identified through the schedule development process and application of the critical path.  This artifact seeks to apply the critical path to the Fukushima Daiichi disaster and how that path supports schedule development and helps identify milestones.