Project network

"Network chart" redirects here. For the 1980s and early 1990s British radio show, see The Network Chart Show.

A project network is a graph (weighted directed graph) depicting the sequence in which a project's terminal elements are to be completed by showing terminal elements and their dependencies. It is always drawn from left to right to reflect project chronology.

The work breakdown structure or the product breakdown structure show the "part-whole" relations. In contrast, the project network shows the "before-after" relations.

The most popular form of project network is activity on node (AON) (as shown above), the other one is activity on arrow (AOA).

The condition for a valid project network is that it doesn't contain any circular references.

Project dependencies can also be depicted by a predecessor table. Although such a form is very inconvenient for human analysis, project management software often offers such a view for data entry.

An alternative way of showing and analyzing the sequence of project work is the design structure matrix or dependency structure matrix.

See also

• Bar chart
• Float (project management)
• Gantt chart
• Project management
• Project planning
• Program evaluation and review technique

External links

• Critical Path Mapping with Activity Network Diagrams
• Understand how scheduling tools works-Draw network diagram yourself