Schedule

Schedule is a term that refers to a plan for carrying out a process or procedure, giving lists of intended events and times. In the context of project management, a schedule is a list of a project's milestones, activities, and deliverables, usually with intended start and finish dates.

Definition

A schedule is a time management tool that consists of a list of times at which possible tasks, events, or actions are intended to take place. It can also refer to the sequence of activities in a project or program. Schedules are often created and managed using scheduling software.

Types of Schedules

There are various types of schedules, including:

• Production scheduling: This involves the planning of production or manufacturing processes in a company to improve efficiency and productivity.
• Project scheduling: This involves the listing of a project's milestones, activities, and deliverables, usually with intended start and finish dates.
• Work schedule: This refers to the days and hours an employee is expected to be on the job.
• School schedule: This refers to the management of time and resources in a school system.

Importance of Schedules

Schedules are important in various fields for several reasons:

• They help in the effective management of time and resources.
• They provide a framework for planning and executing tasks.
• They help in setting priorities and achieving goals.
• They help in reducing stress and increasing productivity.

Scheduling Techniques

There are several techniques used in creating schedules, including:

• Critical Path Method (CPM): This is a step-by-step project management technique for process planning that defines critical and non-critical tasks.
• Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT): This is a statistical tool used in project management designed to analyze and represent the tasks involved in completing a given project.
• Gantt Chart: This is a type of bar chart that illustrates a project schedule.

See Also

• Time management
• Project management
• Production planning