How to Create a Network Chart (PERT / Critical Path – CPM)

In an earlier video, I described how to create a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). In this video, I will show you how to turn it into a network chart or network diagram.

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How to Create a Network Chart

Below is a streamlined set of steps you can take, starting from your existing Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), to create a project network diagram:

1. Review Your WBS

• Ensure it breaks the work all the way down into tasks: Review each work package in your WBS and break it down into the individual activities or tasks needed to produce the deliverables.
• Ensure clarity: Make sure you have clearly defined each activity. Having a specific output and defined work requirement will allow you to estimate the time and resources needed.

2. Establish Dependencies and Sequencing

• Determine the logical dependencies: Identify which tasks can only start after certain other tasks are completed (Finish-to-Start), which must start together (Start-to-Start), or finish together (Finish-to-Finish).
• Distinguish mandatory vs discretionary dependencies: Determine which dependencies are strictly required by the work (eg, you must finish designing before coding) and which are based on your preferred approach (eg, preferred order of data collection).

3. Arrange the Activities in Order

• Define the Start and End points: When will you start, and with what activity, and what will be the last thing you will do?
• Place tasks in sequence: Organize the activities in a logical flow, starting with those that have no predecessors and moving through to those that have no successors.
• Identify parallel paths: Note any tasks that can run concurrently to save time without creating bottlenecks.

4. Assign Durations

• Estimate activity durations: Assign approximate durations to each activity in terms of total work needed. Rough estimates can help identify the critical path for later refinement.
• Allocate resources: Determine which resources will work on each task and how many. Include full time equivalent (FTE) estimates.
• Calculate elapsed time durations: Use the resource allocation and work estimates to calculate durations in terms of elapsed time.
• Review Sequencing: If resources are limited, this might affect durations or the order in which tasks can be done. If necessary, review sequencing and parallelism choices

5. Draw the Network Diagram

• Use nodes and arrows: For an ‘Activity on Node’ diagram, or Precedence Diagram’ method, represent each activity as a node (often a box or a circle) and draw arrows to show the logical relationships and workflow.

For the alternative ‘Activity on Arrow’ diagram, or ‘Arrow Diagram’ method, use arrows to represent the activity and nodes to connect them. My personal preference is for the Activity on Node representation.

Note: Arrow lengths are always the same; they do not represent time in any way.

• Add lags and leads: Some dependencies will need a lag or (more rarely) a lead. A lag is a gap between the predecessor task and the successor task. A lead is a period of overlap (or a negative lag).
• Label and annotate: Add the information that will be useful to you, your governance bodies, your team, and your stakeholders. Include things like resources allocated, elapsed times, and work required.
• Double-check your logic: Ensure every dependency identified earlier is correctly represented, and all tasks are included.

Recommended Videos to Help with Project Planning

Carefully curated ‘How to’ video recommendations for you. How to…

• Build Effective Project Plans | Video
• Create a Work Breakdown Structure: A WBS Masterclass | Video
• Create a Gantt Chart in 9 Easy Steps | Video
• Build a Great Project Communications Plan | Video

And more videos to help you with your planning…

• The Key Deliverable of Your Project Plan | Video
• What if? 10 Things to Build into Your Project Contingency Plan | Video
• What is a Project Roadmap? How to Make One and How is it Different from a Gantt Chart?
• Building a Project Plan – Conversation with Kristina Kushner | Video
• What’s the Difference between PERT and CPM?
• What is Milestone Planning? | Video

Recommended Articles to Help with Project Planning

• Project Planning Process: Navigate the Many Steps You Need
• Beyond Gantt Charts: How to Boost your Project with the Critical Chain Method
• Project Planning Mistakes and How to Avoid the 12 Most Scary Ones

What Kit does a Project Manager Need?

I asked Project Managers in a couple of forums what material things you need to have, to do your job as a Project Manager. They responded magnificently. I compiled their answers into a Kit list. I added my own. 

Check out the Kit a Project Manager needs

Note that the links are affiliated.

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For more of our videos in themed collections, join our Free Academy of Project Management.