A PROJECT SCHEDULING METHODOLOGY DERIVED AS AN ANALOG OF DIGITAL CIRCUIT TECHNOLOGY

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new approach for modeling pr oject activities and networks of project activities based on a digital circuit metaphor upon which a project scheduling tool could be built. Each activity is represented bq one or more digital circuit elements where the inputs to the elements are the requirements that must be sat isfied before that activity can begin. We demonstrate that our model h as all the capabilities of traditional models such as PERT/CPM. We the n extend our model to incorporate additional features not currently su pported by most traditional models. We illustrate the use of AND, OR, NAND, NOR, and XOR gates in the creation of a project network and show how combinations of these elements can be used to represent arbitrari ly complex activity requirements. Finally, we discuss how our model co uld be used to create an ol,en, flexible, extendible and distributable project planning tool that supports continuous process improvement. T he paper presents the model and how it was developed as an analogue of digital circuit design. Thus, it serves two audiences: those interest ed in the modeling process and those interested in a novel approach to project scheduling.