The schedule management plan will include the following:
Purpose: A brief introductory statement defining the purpose of the schedule management plan, such as:
The schedule management plan identifies an agreed-upon sequence of component deliveries (projects and nonproject work) to enable them to be planned and managed. It sets forth a scheduling methodology, states the scheduling tool to be used, and sets the format and criteria for monitoring and controlling the program schedule.
This plan provides the program management team and stakeholders with an approach to how the schedule will be managed throughout the program. It enables the program manager to identify any risks associated with the schedule and any component issues that may need to be escalated for resolution. A common understanding among program stakeholders is required as to how to clearly define the program’s schedule status. Although the plan is drafted early in the program, it is an iterative document that should be further refined in each phase of your program.
In the Project Management Institute’s Standard for Program Management—
Second Edition (2008), the schedule management plan is an output of the develop program schedule process.
Program schedule constraints: This section describes constraints, both inter-nal and exterinter-nal, that may affect the program schedule. Examples include funding, resource availability, technical considerations, contracts, predeter-mined milestones, environmental issues, other external dependencies, and other factors in the program environment.
Delivery of incremental benefits: Since the purpose of a program is to deliver benefits that might not be realized if the projects in the program were man-aged individually, this section of the plan provides a description of the order in which the incremental benefits should be delivered. It also contains compo-nent milestones to show when program benefits are expected to be realized.
Schedule management software: This section states the schedule management software to be used in the program, as it helps to manage and control the schedule throughout the program life cycle. The software tool to be used should be appropriate to the scope and complexity of the program.
Program funding schedule: This section describes the funding schedule for the program’s revenue and expenses. Money payable to contractors or for other pro-gram expenses, for example, cannot be paid unless it is available to the propro-gram.
Schedule activities may need to occur at the latest possible start in order to defer expenses until as close as possible to when the funding will be available.
The Program Setup Phase 143
Schedule tracking and monitoring methods: This section describes the meth-ods to use to track and monitor schedule performance according to the master program schedule. Methods to track and monitor all high-level component and program activities and milestones against planned timelines should be stated. If earned value is to be used, it should be stated in this section, includ-ing the method to use to report progress.
Schedule metrics: This section describes how schedule progress is to be mea-sured in the program. For example, if the schedule is behind by 10%, does this mean the overall schedule is red, yellow, or green? This section describes what will be measured and how status will be reported against these metrics.
Approvals: This section contains the written approval of the schedule manage-ment plan by the program sponsor, program manager, program managemanage-ment office, members of the governance board, and other stakeholders.
Schedule Management Plan Template
<Insert Program Name>
Schedule Management Plan
Program name:
Program manager: PM’s email address here as a hyperlink Program sponsor:
Actual start date:
Approved end date:
Program no.:
Revision history:
Business unit:
A. PurPoSe
A brief introductory statement defining the purpose of the schedule management plan, such as:
The schedule management plan identifies an agreed-upon sequence of component deliveries (projects and nonproject work) to enable them to be planned and managed. It sets forth a scheduling methodology, states the scheduling tool to be used, and sets the format and criteria for monitoring and controlling the program schedule.
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144 Implementing Program Management: Templates for Success
B. ProGrAM SCheDule ConSTrAInTS
This section describes constraints, both internal and external, that may affect the program schedule.
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C. DelIvery oF InCreMenTAl BeneFITS
This section describes the order in which the incremental benefits of the pro-gram are to be delivered. It also contains component milestones to show when program benefits are expected to be realized.
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D. SCheDule MAnAGeMenT SoFTWAre
This section states the schedule management software to be used in the pro-gram, as it helps to manage and control the schedule throughout the program life cycle.
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e. ProGrAM FunDInG SCheDule
This section describes the funding schedule for the program’s revenue and expenses.
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F. SCheDule TrACkInG AnD MonITorInG MeThoDS
This section describes the methods to use to track and monitor schedule perfor-mance according to the master program schedule. If earned value is to be used, it is stated in this section along with the method to use to report progress.
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The Program Setup Phase 145
G. SCheDule MeTrICS
This section describes how schedule performance is to be measured in the program. It states what will be measured and how status will be reported against these metrics.
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h. APProvAlS
This section contains the approval of the schedule management plan by the program sponsor, program manager, program management office, members of the governance board, and other key stakeholders.
SignatureSand date approval obtained
Program manager ____________________________________
Program sponsor ____________________________________
Program management office director ____________________________________
Governance board chairperson ____________________________________
Governance board member 1 ____________________________________
Governance board member 2 ____________________________________
Governance board member N ____________________________________
Stakeholder 1 ____________________________________
Stakeholder 2 ____________________________________
Stakeholder N ____________________________________