Process Definition

Defining activities, sequencing activities, estimating activity resources and the time it will take each activity results in the development of the schedule.  It is the culmination of all previous planning processes. 

Figure 14. Develop Schedule: 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. 173. Copyright 2013 by Project Management Institute, Inc. Reprinted without permission.

Process Assessment

Figure 14 reflects the complexity of the process and the impact each previous planning process can have on the final schedule determination.  The use of multiple techniques, such as critical path, leads and lags, and schedule compression, help the project manager determine the schedule and which activities have the greatest impact.  Some activities require a specific prerequisite activity while others do not.  This determination is critical in setting the final schedule.  As the project unfolds, and activities completed, the schedule is monitored for slippage.  The use of tools and techniques can help restore the schedule and ensure a successful project life cycle.

ARTIFACTS

1. Critical Path Method: PMGT 501 4.4 PM Crosstalk discusses the importance of the critical path method technique, in developing the project schedule.  Each task is evaluated based on their relationship with each other.  Those tasks along the critical path have no available slack to allow for a schedule extension.
2. Bicycle Schedule Compression: PMGT 614 WBS 4 Group assignment tackles a customer requested schedule compression as a technique.  
3. Bicycle Project Schedule:  The output of any schedule development process is the schedule itself.  PMGT 614 WBS 4 Bicycle Schedule is an example of that result.