2.

2 Schedule Management Plan

The Schedule Management Plan is part of the Project Management
Plan. It specifies how the project schedule will be developed, monitored
and controlled. Planning how to manage the schedule can include at least:
Scheduling methodology
Scheduling tool
Level of accuracy for duration estimates
Units of measure
Variance thresholds
Schedule reporting information and format
Process for identifying all the activities
Process and guidelines for sequencing activities
Process for estimating resources needs
Process for estimating effort and duration
Process for updating, managing and controlling the schedule
In addition the Schedule Management Plan may include information
on the level of detail and timing for WBS decomposition based on rolling
wave planning.
The Schedule Management Plan can receive information from:
Project Charter
Project Management Plan
It provides information to:
Activity List
Activity Attributes
Network Diagram
Activity Resource Requirements
Resource Breakdown Structure
Activity Duration Estimates
Project Schedule
Schedule Baseline
The Schedule Management Plan is an output from the process 6.1
Plan Schedule Management in the PMBOK Guide Fifth Edition.
 You can use the element descriptions in the following table to assist
you in developing a Scope Management Plan.
Document Description
element
Schedule Identify the scheduling methodology that will be used for the
methodology project, whether it is critical path, critical chain or some other
methodology.
Scheduling tool Identify the scheduling tool(s) that will be used for the
project. Tools can include scheduling software, reporting
software, earned value software and so forth.
Level of Describe the level of accuracy needed for estimates. The
accuracy level of accuracy may evolve over time as more information
is known (progressive elaboration). If there are guidelines for
rolling wave planning and the level of refinement that will be
used for duration and effort estimates indicate the levels of
accuracy required as time progresses.
Units of Indicate whether duration estimates will be in days, weeks,
measure months or some other unit of measure.
Variance Indicate the measures that determine whether an activity,
thresholds work package or the project as a whole is on time, requires
preventive action or is late and requires corrective action.
Schedule Document the schedule information required for status and
reporting progress reporting. If a specific reporting format will be used
information and attach a copy or refer to the specific form or template.
format
Activity Describe how activities will be identified, such as
identification decomposition, brainstorming, interviews, etc.
Activity Describe any guidelines for sequencing activities to create a
sequencing network diagram. This can include guidance on the types of
dependencies and how to document them.
Estimating Indicate how resources will be estimated, loaded and
resources managed in the scheduling tool. This can include how to
work with resource pools, skill sets and levels and types of
resources.
Estimating effort Indicate the estimating techniques that will be used to arrive
and duration at effort and/or duration estimates. Examples include
analogous estimates, three-point estimates, parametric
estimates and so forth.
Updating, Document the process for updating the schedule, including
managing and update frequency, permissions and version control. Indicate
controlling the guidelines for maintaining baseline integrity and for re-
baselining if necessary.