Primavera -Basics

Aim
• To familiarize with Primavera Software, a well
known project planning and scheduling and
monitoring tool.
 Basic Concepts
What is a Project ???

• A project is a set of activities and their

associated information that constitutes a plan
for creating a product or service.

• A project has a start date and finish date, WBS,

resource assignments and expenses. It can
also include risks, work documents and project-
specific codes and calendars.
 Basic Terminologies

Activity:
Activities represent work to be done in order to
complete a project.

OD (Original Duration) and RD (Remaining

Duration):
The estimated time required to complete an activity is
called OD. The amount of time left to complete an
activity after it has started is known as RD (Remaining
Duration).
 Basic Terminologies
Predecessor:
The activity that effects start or finish dates of
other activities (successor activities).

Predecessor

Successor
 Basic Terminologies
Successor:
The activity for which start or finish dates are dependent
on other activities (predecessor activities).

Predecessor

Successor
 Basic Terminologies
Relationship:
Any sort of connection between two activities is
known as relationship.
Generally there are four types of relationships:
 SS (Start to Start)
 FS (Finish to Start)
 FF (Finish to Finish)
 SF (Start to Finish)
 Basic Terminologies

Lag :
Lag staggers or delays the relationship of one activity
(predecessor) to another (successor).
 Basic Terminologies
SS – Relationship between activities in which the start
of a successor activity depends on the start of its
predecessor.
A
Predecessor
Start-to-start
B
Successor

A
Start-to-start with lag Predecessor

Lag B
Successor
 Basic Terminologies
FS – Relationship in which the start of successor
activity depends on the completion of its predecessor
activity.

Finish-to-start A
Predecessor

B
Successor

Finish-to-start with lag A

Predecessor
B
Successor
 Basic Terminologies
FF – Relationship in which the finish of successor
activity depends on the finish of its predecessor activity.

Finish-to-Finish A
Predecessor

B
Successor

Finish-to-Finish with lag A

Predecessor
Lag
B
Successor
 Basic Terminologies
SF – Relationship in which the finish of successor
activity depends on the start of its predecessor activity.

Start-to-Finish A
Predecessor

B
Successor

A
Start-to-Finish with lag Predecessor

Lag
B
Successor
 Basic Terminologies

ES (Early Start) and EF (Early Finish) dates:

Earliest possible date by which an activity can be started /
finished.

LS (Late Start) and LF (Late Finish) dates:

Latest possible date by which an activity can be started /
finished.
 Basic Terminologies

AS (Actual Start) and AF (Actual Finish) dates:

Actual Start and Actual Finish dates are the dates on which
an activity has actually started and finished.
 Basic Terminologies
TF (Total Float):
Duration, measured in planning units, the activity can be delayed
without affecting the project finish date.

Negative or zero Total Float indicates that timely completion of

the activity is critical to the completion of the project. Such
activities are called Critical Activities.

FF (Free Float):
The amount of time, measured in planning units, the early start
of an activity can be delayed without delaying early start of a
successor activity. Such activities are called Non-critical
Activities.
 Basic Terminologies
Constraints:
Constraints are ground realities that over-rule the logical
start and finish time of the activity.

For example: A certain piece of equipment will be received on,

say, 25th of March. That equipment’s erection activity cannot be
started before 26th of March irrespective of the fact that the
foundation will be ready by 15th of March.

So we will simply put a constraint to this activity that it cannot

start before 26th of March. Similarly concreting work cannot be
easily done in winter months in regions where temperature goes
below freezing during winter.
 Basic Terminologies
Various types of constraints can be used but most
commonly used are as follows:
▫ Start No Earlier Than - This type of constraint is applied
to restrict that activity to start before a certain date
▫ Start No Later Than - This type of constraint is applied to
restrict that activity from starting beyond a certain date
▫ Finish No Earlier Than - This type of constraint is applied to restrict
that activity to finish before a certain date.
▫ Finish No Later Than - This type of constraint is applied to restrict
that activity to finish beyond a certain date.
▫ Start On - To impose a compulsory start date to that activity.
▫ Finish On - To impose a compulsory finish to that activity.
 Basic Terminologies
Critical Activity:
An activity that has potential of delaying a project is called a critical
activity. Such activities possess total float equal to zero or even less.

Critical Path:
Chain of critical activities that has potential of delaying a
project is called Critical Path.

Critical Path Method (CPM):

A network analysis technique used to predict project duration, by
analyzing which sequence of activities (which path) has the least
amount of scheduling flexibility (the least amount of float).
 Basic Terminologies
Critical Path
A
Predecessor
ES = 1 EF = 10
FS Lag=0
OD = 10 C

Successor

B FS Lag = 0 ES=15 OD=6 EF=20

Predecessor

ES=1 OD=14 EF=14

Activity B and C are on critical path because :

1. These are forming the longest chain (14 days + 6 days = 20 days)
2. Any delay in any of the activity on critical path will cause a delay of the whole project
 Basic Terminologies
Scheduling:
The process of calculating start and end dates of the activities.
This process is carried out in two passes i.e. Forward Pass &
Backward Pass.

Forward Pass:
The process of calculating start and finish dates of each activity
starting from the project start date.
This process generates early start and early finish
dates for each activity.
 Basic Terminologies
Backward Pass:
The process of calculating finish and start dates of each activity
starting from the project finish date.
This process generates Late Start and Late Finish
dates for each activity.

Data Date:
The point in time that separates actual (Historical) data
from future (Scheduled) data.
 Basic Terminologies
Man-Hours:
It is yardstick for measurement of effort. For example, 4
Man-Hour will mean any of the following:
▫ 1 man working for 4 hours
▫ 2 men working for 2 hours
▫ 4 men working for 1 hour

Standard Man-Hours:
Estimated effort per unit required to perform a job in terms
of man-hours.
 Basic Terminologies
Budgeted Cost:
Total estimated cost approved for execution of a project.

Cost at Completion:
The expected total cost at completion of an activity or a
project.
Cost at completion is estimated periodically during course
of project execution.
 Basic Terminologies
Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT):
An event oriented network analysis technique used to estimate
project duration when there is a higher degree of uncertainty with
the individual activity duration estimates. PERT applies the Critical
Path Method (CPM) to a weighted average duration estimates.

Gantt Chart:
A graphic display of schedule-related information listing project
elements on left side of the chart, dates across the top and activity
durations are shown as date-placed horizontal bars. It is also known
as Bar Chart.
PERT
GANTT
 Basic Terminologies

Resource:

▫ Anything that is required to perform an activity is called a

resource

▫ Resources can be Manpower, Equipment and Materials

Resource Allocation & Leveling

Resources required may include:

• Manpower
• Tools & Plants
• Direct materials
• Consumables
• Special jigs & fixtures
Resource Allocation & Leveling

• Resource requirement should be a smooth curve i.e. ;

gradual increase till it reaches its peak, maintains peak for
required period and then gradually decrease till project is
completed.

• Resource Leveling is done in P3.

 Work Breakdown Structure
• Breaking down a long and complex project into work
packages of smaller duration and complexity.

• A properly planned WBS delivers the following benefits:

▫ The project can be planned systematically
▫ Resources can be effectively scheduled
▫ Work teams can be assigned responsibilities
▫ Costs and budget elements can be compared
 Work Breakdown Structure

1. Project

1.1 Construction

1.1.1 Discipline

1.1.1.1 Zone/Area

1.1.1.1.1 Cost Center/Activity

Organization Breakdown Structure
• Represents a project organization structure that matches
with WBS.

• Facilitates better control through mini projects within large

and complicated projects.

• Defines responsibility for each level of WBS.

 Organization Breakdown Structure

PROJECT/SITE MANAGER

AREA I/C #1 AREA I/C #2 AREA I/C

Const. Mngr. Engr. Civil Engr. Civil

Engr. Civil
- Civil (area #1)

Const. Mngr. Engr. Piping Engr. Piping

Engr. Piping
- Mech. (

Const. Mngr. Engr. Equip. Engr. Equip. Engr. Equip.

- Elec.