Question

4. Describe factors that might impact the level of detail used in a schedule (15 points).

Answer 1

Project schedule would be the act of breaking down scope of work down to granular more required level so that the schedules can be used for required purpose.

As with anything, granularity will depend on the phase of the project/program, team using the schedule, purpose of usage (summary, review, task detailing) etc. Following factors might impact level of detail used in a schedule:

• Frequency of updating the schedule
• Team using it
  • For Human resources or subcontractors, provide more details
  • Finance and budget teams: Acceptable accuracy of 10% will require granular planning compared to accuracy of 25% which will require lesser detail (acceptable accuracy depends on the stage of project)
  • Operational team vs management team
• Availability of projects controls team or project management team
• Requirement of client and client polices
• Number of stakeholder interfaces, complexity of project
• Stage of project – At early stages of project, teams will not have granular level details and thus level of detail cannot be accurate. As internal and external alignments are closed and project plans are firmed up, level of detail can be charted out at much granular level
• Duration of project – In a multi year long project, initial activities will be presented in granular detail and farther away activities will be charted out later.