Performing Scheduling of Network and Activities

Each time a network is scheduled, the system carries out forward and backward scheduling and determines floats and capacity requirements (if activated), as follows:

• Forward scheduling determines the earliest dates.

• Backward scheduling determines the latest dates.

Networks are always scheduled forwards and backwards. The scheduling type determines the original direction in which scheduling is carried out. The system determines the earliest dates of the activities by means of forward scheduling and the latest dates by backward scheduling.

The differences between the earliest and latest dates of an activity are referred to as floats. If these are less than or equal to zero, then the activity is defined as a "critical" activity. Critical activities define the critical path in the project.

The dates of the assigned activities are summarized to give the scheduled dates of the WBS elements (thin time bars in the project planning board).

The dates scheduled in the WBS structure can be copied to the basic dates of the WBS elements for the purpose of extrapolating them up the project hierarchy. If the appropriate settings have been made, this can happen automatically.

Scheduling Scenarios

As of Release 4.6, you have the option of using predefined scheduling scenarios. The standard scheduling options are of course still available. Depending on the transaction from which you trigger the scheduling, you use either the "Parameters for WBS scheduling" table or the "Scheduling parameters for the network type" table.

Caution

The scheduling result depends on the transaction from which you start the scheduling.

In the project planning board, ensure that you select all objects that you want to include in the scheduling. You can also use this option to schedule only subareas of a project.