ICT-Governance-Framework-Application

ICT Governance Framework - Schedule Network Diagram

Project: ICT Governance Framework Application
Document Type: Planning Artifacts - Schedule Network Diagram
Version: 1.0
Prepared by: ICT Governance Project Team
Date: August 8, 2025

Executive Summary

This document presents the Schedule Network Diagram for the ICT Governance Framework project, illustrating the logical relationships and dependencies between all project activities. The network diagram serves as the foundation for project scheduling, critical path analysis, and resource optimization, supporting the successful delivery of the $2.3M value proposition within the 15-month timeline.

Project Duration: 65 weeks (15 months)

Critical Path Duration: 63 weeks

Total Activities: 180+

Major Milestones: 15

Network Diagram Methodology

Diagramming Approach

Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM): Activity-on-node representation
Dependency Relationships: Finish-to-Start (FS), Start-to-Start (SS), Finish-to-Finish (FF)
Critical Path Analysis: Identification of longest path through network
Float Analysis: Calculation of total float and free float for each activity
Resource Constraints: Consideration of resource availability in scheduling

Diagram Components

Activity Nodes: Represent individual project activities with duration
Dependency Arrows: Show logical relationships between activities
Critical Path: Highlighted path with zero float
Milestones: Key project deliverable completion points
Phase Gates: Decision points and formal approvals

Network Analysis Techniques

Forward Pass: Calculate early start and early finish dates
Backward Pass: Calculate late start and late finish dates
Float Calculation: Total float = Late Start - Early Start
Resource Loading: Assign resources to activities for realistic scheduling

Project Phase Network Overview

High-Level Phase Dependencies

[Project Initiation] 
    ↓ FS
[Analysis & Design] 
    ↓ FS
[Development & Implementation] 
    ↓ FS
[Deployment & Rollout] 
    ↓ FS
[Project Closure]

Phase Interface Points

Phase 1 → Phase 2: Project Charter approval, stakeholder engagement complete
Phase 2 → Phase 3: Requirements baseline, architecture design approved
Phase 3 → Phase 4: System development complete, testing validated
Phase 4 → Phase 5: Production deployment successful, user training complete

PHASE 1: PROJECT INITIATION - Network Details

Foundation Activity Network

[Project Start]
    ↓
[Define Project Scope (A001)] (3d)
    ↓ FS
[Develop Business Case (A002)] (5d)
    ↓ FS
[Identify Key Stakeholders (A003)] (2d)
    ↓ FS
[Define Success Criteria (A004)] (3d)
    ↓ FS
[Analyze Strategic Objectives (A005)] (5d)
    ↓ FS
[Map Governance Requirements (A006)] (4d)
    ↓ FS
[Identify Compliance Requirements (A007)] (6d)
    ↓ FS
[Validate Strategic Fit (A008)] (2d)
    ↓
[Foundation Complete - Milestone M1]

Stakeholder Engagement Network

[Foundation Complete] 
    ↓ FS (Start after foundation activities)
[Identify Stakeholders (A009)] (2d)
    ↓ FS
[Analyze Stakeholder Influence (A010)] (2d) ←---
    ↓ FS                                        |
[Develop Engagement Strategies (A011)] (4d)     | SS+1d
    ↓ FS                                        |
[Create Stakeholder Register (A012)] (3d) ------
    ↓ FS
[Establish Communication Channels (A013)] (2d)
    ↓ FS 
[Setup Collaboration Platforms (A014)] (3d)
    ↓ FS
[Create Communication Templates (A015)] (2d) 
    ↓ FS
[Implement Feedback Mechanisms (A016)] (2d)
    ↓
[Stakeholder Engagement Complete - Milestone M2]

Team Formation Network (Parallel Path)

[Project Start]
    ↓ SS+5d (Start 5 days after project start)
[Recruit Core Team (A017)] (5d)
    ↓ FS
[Define Roles and Responsibilities (A018)] (3d)
    ↓ FS
[Establish Working Agreements (A019)] (2d) 
    ↓ FS
[Conduct Team Orientation (A020)] (3d)
    ↓
[Team Formation Complete]

Phase 1 Integration Network

[Stakeholder Engagement Complete] 
    ↓ FS
[Team Formation Complete] 
    ↓ FS
[Project Charter Creation (A004)] (3d)
    ↓ FS
[Charter Approval Process] (2d)
    ↓
[Phase 1 Gate Review] (1d)
    ↓
[Phase 1 Complete - Milestone M3]

Phase 1 Critical Path: A001→A002→A003→A004→A005→A006→A007→A008→M1→A009→A010→A011→A012→A013→A014→A015→A016→M2→Charter→Approval→M3 Phase 1 Duration: 20 work days (4 weeks)

PHASE 2: ANALYSIS & DESIGN - Network Details

Current State Assessment Network

[Phase 1 Complete]
    ↓ FS
[Evaluate Current Practices (A021)] (10d)
    ↓ FS
[Assess Governance Maturity (A022)] (8d) ←-----
    ↓ FS                                      |
[Identify Governance Gaps (A023)] (8d)        | SS+2d
    ↓ FS                                      |
[Document Current Architecture (A024)] (5d) ---|
    ↓ FS
[Inventory Technology Assets (A025)] (6d)
    ↓ FS
[Assess IT Architecture (A026)] (8d)
    ↓ FS
[Evaluate Integration Requirements (A027)] (6d)
    ↓ FS
[Analyze Performance (A028)] (4d)
    ↓
[Current State Complete - Milestone M4]

Requirements Analysis Network

[Current State Complete]
    ↓ FS
[Gather Stakeholder Requirements (A029)] (12d)
    ↓ FS
[Define Functional Requirements (A030)] (10d) ←---
    ↓ FS                                          |
[Prioritize Requirements (A031)] (6d)             | SS+5d
    ↓ FS                                          |
[Create Requirements Documentation (A032)] (8d) ---|
    ↓ FS
[Identify Regulatory Frameworks (A033)] (6d)
    ↓ FS
[Map Compliance Features (A034)] (8d)
    ↓
[Requirements Complete - Milestone M5]

Solution Architecture Network

[Requirements Complete]
    ↓ FS
[Design Operating Model (A035)] (12d)
    ↓ FS
[Define Processes (A036)] (15d) ←--------
    ↓ FS                                |
[Create Roles Matrix (A037)] (8d)       | SS+3d
    ↓ FS                                |
[Develop Policies (A038)] (10d) --------|
    ↓ FS
[Design System Architecture (A039)] (12d)
    ↓ FS
[Define Data Model (A040)] (8d)
    ↓
[Architecture Complete - Milestone M6]

Phase 2 Integration and Approval

[Architecture Complete]
    ↓ FS
[Requirements Review Session] (2d)
    ↓ FS
[Architecture Review Board] (1d)
    ↓ FS
[Stakeholder Approval Process] (3d)
    ↓ FS
[Phase 2 Gate Review] (2d)
    ↓
[Phase 2 Complete - Milestone M7]

Phase 2 Critical Path: M3→A021→A022→A023→M4→A029→A030→A031→A032→M5→A035→A036→A037→A038→A039→A040→M6→Reviews→M7 Phase 2 Duration: 40 work days (8 weeks)

PHASE 3: DEVELOPMENT & IMPLEMENTATION - Network Details

Core Platform Development Network (Critical Path)

[Phase 2 Complete]
    ↓ FS
[Setup Development Environment (A041)] (3d)
    ↓ FS
[Develop Workflow Engine (A061)] (30d)
    ↓ FS
[Implement User Management (A062)] (20d)
    ↓ FS
[Create Document Management (A063)] (18d)
    ↓ FS
[Build Communication Features (A064)] (15d)
    ↓ FS
[Develop Data Processing (A065)] (20d)
    ↓ FS
[Core Platform Complete - Milestone M8]

Analytics and Reporting Network (Parallel Path)

[Setup Development Environment]
    ↓ SS+10d
[Implement Dashboard (A066)] (18d)
    ↓ FS
[Create Reporting Functions (A067)] (12d)
    ↓ FS
[Build Analytics Engine (A068)] (15d)
    ↓
[Analytics Complete]

Integration Development Network (Parallel Path)

[Core Platform 50% Complete]
    ↓ FS
[Develop API Framework (A069)] (20d)
    ↓ FS
[Implement System Connectors (A070)] (18d) ←---
    ↓ FS                                       |
[Create Data Synchronization (A071)] (12d)     | SS+5d
    ↓ FS                                       |
[Build Monitoring (A072)] (10d) --------------|
    ↓
[Integration Complete]

Quality Assurance Network (Integrated)

[Core Platform Complete]
    ↓ FS
[Develop Testing Strategy (A073)] (4d)
    ↓ FS
[Create Test Cases (A074)] (8d) ←-----------
    ↓ FS                                   |
[Execute Unit Testing (A075)] (12d)        | SS+2d
    ↓ FS                                   |
[System Testing (A076)] (15d) -------------|
    ↓ FS
[User Acceptance Testing (A077)] (12d)
    ↓ FS
[Performance Testing (A078)] (8d)
    ↓
[Quality Assurance Complete - Milestone M9]

Phase 3 Integration Point

[Core Platform Complete]
    ↓ FS
[Analytics Complete]
    ↓ FS
[Integration Complete]
    ↓ FS
[Quality Assurance Complete]
    ↓ FS
[System Integration Testing] (10d)
    ↓ FS
[Final System Validation] (5d)
    ↓ FS
[Phase 3 Gate Review] (2d)
    ↓
[Phase 3 Complete - Milestone M10]

Phase 3 Critical Path: M7→A041→A061→A062→A063→A064→A065→M8→A073→A074→A075→A076→A077→A078→M9→Integration→Validation→M10 Phase 3 Duration: 100 work days (20 weeks)

PHASE 4: DEPLOYMENT & ROLLOUT - Network Details

Infrastructure Preparation Network

[Phase 3 Complete]
    ↓ FS
[Provision Infrastructure (A121)] (8d)
    ↓ FS
[Install Software (A122)] (6d) ←--------
    ↓ FS                               |
[Implement Security (A123)] (5d)       | SS+2d
    ↓ FS                               |
[Infrastructure Testing (A124)] (4d) ---|
    ↓
[Infrastructure Ready - Milestone M11]

Data Migration Network (Parallel Path)

[Phase 3 Complete]
    ↓ SS+5d
[Prepare Migration (A125)] (6d)
    ↓ FS
[Execute Migration (A126)] (8d)
    ↓ FS
[Validate Data (A127)] (4d)
    ↓
[Data Migration Complete]

Pilot Program Network

[Infrastructure Ready]
    ↓ FS
[Data Migration Complete]
    ↓ FS
[Plan Pilot (A128)] (5d)
    ↓ FS
[Execute Pilot (A129)] (8d)
    ↓ FS
[Analyze Results (A130)] (4d)
    ↓
[Pilot Complete - Milestone M12]

Production Deployment Network

[Pilot Complete]
    ↓ FS
[Production Deployment (A131)] (3d)
    ↓ FS
[User Training (A132)] (12d) ←---------
    ↓ FS                              |
[Go-Live Support (A133)] (8d)         | SS+5d
    ↓                                 |
[Production Monitoring] (5d) ---------|
    ↓
[Deployment Complete - Milestone M13]

Phase 4 Integration

[Deployment Complete]
    ↓ FS
[User Feedback Collection] (3d)
    ↓ FS
[System Performance Validation] (2d)
    ↓ FS
[Phase 4 Gate Review] (2d)
    ↓
[Phase 4 Complete - Milestone M14]

Phase 4 Critical Path: M10→A121→A122→A123→A124→M11→A125→A126→A127→A128→A129→A130→M12→A131→A132→A133→M13→M14 Phase 4 Duration: 40 work days (8 weeks)

PHASE 5: PROJECT CLOSURE - Network Details

Project Completion Network

[Phase 4 Complete]
    ↓ FS
[Validate Deliverables (A161)] (4d)
    ↓ FS
[Obtain Acceptance (A162)] (3d)
    ↓ FS
[Final Testing (A163)] (4d)
    ↓ FS
[Document Status (A164)] (2d)
    ↓
[Completion Validated]

Success Validation Network (Parallel Path)

[Phase 4 Complete]
    ↓ SS+2d
[Measure Success (A165)] (4d) ←--------
    ↓ FS                              |
[Validate ROI (A166)] (3d)             | SS+1d
    ↓ FS                              |
[Assess Satisfaction (A167)] (3d) -----|
    ↓ FS
[Document Lessons (A168)] (2d)
    ↓
[Success Validated]

Knowledge Transfer Network

[Completion Validated]
    ↓ FS
[Success Validated]
    ↓ FS
[Transfer Knowledge (A169)] (5d)
    ↓ FS
[Conduct Handover (A170)] (4d)
    ↓
[Knowledge Transfer Complete]

Project Closure Integration

[Knowledge Transfer Complete]
    ↓ FS
[Final Project Report] (2d)
    ↓ FS
[Stakeholder Sign-off] (1d)
    ↓ FS
[Project Archive] (1d)
    ↓
[Project Complete - Milestone M15]

Phase 5 Critical Path: M14→A161→A162→A163→A164→A165→A166→A167→A168→A169→A170→Report→Sign-off→M15 Phase 5 Duration: 15 work days (3 weeks)

Critical Path Analysis

Overall Project Critical Path

[Project Start] → [Foundation Activities] → [Current State Assessment] → 
[Requirements Analysis] → [Solution Architecture] → [Core Development] → 
[Quality Assurance] → [Infrastructure Preparation] → [Pilot Program] → 
[Production Deployment] → [Project Closure] → [Project Complete]

Critical Path Activities (63 weeks)

Foundation Phase (4 weeks): Project scope → Business case → Stakeholder analysis → Charter approval
Analysis Phase (8 weeks): Current state assessment → Requirements gathering → Architecture design
Development Phase (20 weeks): Core platform development → QA testing → System validation
Deployment Phase (8 weeks): Infrastructure setup → Pilot program → Production deployment
Closure Phase (3 weeks): Success validation → Knowledge transfer → Project completion

Float Analysis

Zero Float Activities: All activities on critical path (63 weeks)
Low Float (1-5 days): Analytics development, integration testing, data migration
Medium Float (1-2 weeks): Training development, documentation, communication activities
High Float (2-4 weeks): Non-critical testing, optional features, contingency activities

Schedule Optimization Opportunities

Fast-Tracking Opportunities

Parallel Development Streams: Run analytics and integration development in parallel (Save 5 weeks)
Overlapping Phases: Begin infrastructure preparation during final development (Save 3 weeks)
Concurrent Testing: Execute system and integration testing simultaneously (Save 2 weeks)
Pre-deployment Activities: Start user training during pilot phase (Save 1 week)

Resource Optimization

Critical Resource Focus: Prioritize best resources on critical path activities
Resource Leveling: Balance resource allocation across parallel activities
Cross-Training: Train team members on multiple skills to provide flexibility
External Resources: Use contractors for non-critical path activities

Schedule Compression Techniques

Fast-Tracking: Execute sequential activities in parallel where possible
Crashing: Add resources to critical activities to reduce duration
Resource Reallocation: Move resources from non-critical to critical activities
Scope Management: Prioritize essential features for initial release

Risk Impact on Network Schedule

Schedule Risk Factors

Resource Availability: Key resource unavailability could delay critical path (Risk: 2-4 weeks)
Technical Complexity: Underestimated complexity in core development (Risk: 3-6 weeks)
Integration Challenges: System integration issues (Risk: 2-5 weeks)
Stakeholder Decisions: Delayed approvals and decisions (Risk: 1-3 weeks)
External Dependencies: Third-party system availability (Risk: 1-4 weeks)

Risk Mitigation in Network

Schedule Buffers: Built-in contingency time for high-risk activities
Alternative Paths: Identify alternative activity sequences for critical dependencies
Resource Backup: Maintain backup resources for critical skill areas
Early Warning System: Implement schedule monitoring to identify delays early

Contingency Network Paths

Accelerated Development: Parallel development streams to recover lost time
Phased Deployment: Split deployment into phases to accelerate delivery
Minimum Viable Product: Deliver core functionality first, enhance later
Resource Surge: Add resources temporarily to critical activities

Network Diagram Quality Assurance

Diagram Validation Criteria

Logical Consistency: All dependencies are logically sound and necessary
Completeness: All project activities are included in the network
Accuracy: Activity durations and dependencies reflect realistic requirements
Optimization: Network represents the most efficient activity sequence

Dependency Validation

Mandatory Dependencies: Hard logic based on technical or physical requirements
Discretionary Dependencies: Soft logic based on best practices or preferences
External Dependencies: Dependencies on activities outside project control
Resource Dependencies: Activities that require the same limited resources

Network Review Process

Technical Review: Validate technical dependencies and sequences
Resource Review: Verify resource availability and allocation assumptions
Stakeholder Review: Confirm business logic and approval processes
Risk Review: Ensure risk factors are considered in network logic

Schedule Monitoring and Control

Network-Based Monitoring

Critical Path Tracking: Daily monitoring of critical path activities
Float Management: Weekly analysis of activity float and schedule flexibility
Dependency Tracking: Monitor completion of predecessor activities
Milestone Achievement: Track major milestone completion against schedule

Schedule Control Techniques

Earned Value Management: Track schedule performance using earned value metrics
Critical Chain Method: Focus on resource constraints and buffer management
Agile Techniques: Use iterative development within network constraints
Rolling Wave Planning: Detailed planning for near-term activities

Schedule Update Process

Weekly Updates: Update activity progress and remaining duration
Monthly Rebaseline: Adjust network based on actual progress and changes
Quarterly Review: Comprehensive network analysis and optimization
Change Control: Formal process for network changes and approvals

Integration with Other Planning Documents

Activity List Integration

All activities in network diagram correspond to detailed activity list
Activity durations match estimates in activity duration document
Resource requirements align with activity resource estimates

Work Breakdown Structure Integration

Network activities map directly to WBS work packages
Activity dependencies support WBS hierarchy and deliverable flow
Milestone achievement enables WBS completion validation

Risk Management Integration

High-risk activities identified in network with appropriate buffers
Risk response actions incorporated as network activities
Contingency plans reflected in alternative network paths

Conclusion

The Schedule Network Diagram provides a comprehensive foundation for project scheduling, resource planning, and schedule management. With a critical path duration of 63 weeks and strategic optimization opportunities, the network enables efficient project execution while maintaining flexibility for risk response and change management.

Key Network Characteristics:

Logical Flow: Clear activity sequences with validated dependencies
Resource Optimization: Balanced resource allocation across parallel paths
Risk Consideration: Built-in flexibility for risk response and schedule recovery
Milestone Integration: Clear milestone achievement points for project control

The network diagram supports successful delivery of the ICT Governance Framework within the 15-month timeline while enabling proactive schedule management and optimization throughout project execution.

Document Control:

Integration: Activity List, Activity Duration Estimates, Activity Resource Estimates, Project Schedule
Dependencies: Work Breakdown Structure, Risk Management Plan, Resource Management Plan
Review Cycle: Updated weekly during project execution based on actual progress
Ownership: Project Manager with input from all work package managers

This Schedule Network Diagram provides the logical foundation for project scheduling, enabling effective time management and successful delivery of the ICT Governance Framework transformation.

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