Project Activity Diagram

A project will consist of number of tasks to be performed. These tasks need to be

performed by taking into account all interactivity dependencies. Some of the tasks
have to be performed in pure sequence while many tasks can be done
concurrently. 

The team will examine the list of tasks and will decide the dependencies between
them to come up with an order of sequence in which they will be carried out. Every
task will have a predecessor and also a successor. Creating a right sequence of
tasks will ensure that the tasks are done properly and the final deliverables come
out nicely. Optimum sequence will also ensure that we can complete all the tasks
in the most optimum time by leveraging concurrency.

There are 2 different methods for creating an activity sequence diagram as below:

 Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM) – This is also known as Activity

on Node (AON)
 Arrow Diagramming Method (ADM – This is also known as Activity on
Arrow (AOA)
Precedence Diagramming Method is popular and used most frequently. Arrow
Diagramming Method has limitations and is not easy to understand; hence ADM is
not used so often.

Precedence Diagramming Method allows use of 4 different type dependency

relationships such as Finish-to-Start (FS), Start-to-Start (SS), Finish-to-Finish (FF)
and Start-to-Finish (SF) to create an optimum activity sequence diagram. This
provides immense flexibility. 

Arrow Diagramming Method only allows the use of Finish-to-Start (FS)

relationship, leading lot of limitations. ADM also uses dummy activities to
preserve the correct dependencies.