Keys for Agile Co-Evolution of the WBS and Schedule Network: The "Schedule Network 100 Percent" Rule and the "Add and Prune Dependencies" Algorithm

  Agile   Scheduling   Work Breakdown Structures (WBS)   Knowledge Shelf  

Abstract
The “schedule network 100 percent” rule and the “add and prune dependencies” algorithm are keys for enabling the agile co-evolution of the work breakdown structure (WBS) and the schedule network. While creating and maintaining coherence between the WBS and schedule network has never been easy, today’s pressures to move toward a more agile practice of project management increase the challenge. This article elaborates on current, best practice project management foundations and adds the necessary definitions and methods for defining what coherence between the WBS and schedule network means and the methods to automatically create and maintain such coherence. The goal is project management practice where full coherence between the WBS and schedule network is taken for granted and maintained without effort by the project planner.

Introduction
A review of current project management literature shows that the focus of the profession has moved from foundational concepts (e.g., mastering the WBS), to a focus on the intersection of project management with other disciplines (e.g., general management, risk management, financial management, economics, sociology, marketing, and agile methods from software development). Never-the-less, the foundational concepts assumed to be mastered are important, and any hindrances to their widespread use in …

Please log in or sign up below to read the rest of the article.