AAOM Handbook

PL.14 Specify Task Durations Context

A work package is to define all the requirements for sustainably (i.e. dealing responsibly with safety, the environment, employees, communities, governments and asset life), correctly and efficiently completing work. The detailed planning process has defined the outcomes and specifications for the work, the procedures for doing the work, and resourcing of the work for each Task. With this planning complete it is now possible to specify the duration of each Task. The Task duration is the time taken to complete all of the specifications of the Task. This information will be used in the scheduling of the work, and as an instruction to the persons completing the work. Purpose To specify the estimated duration of each Task. Quantity One specification for the duration of each Task within a work package. Quality For independent Tasks (those that have no dependencies on other Tasks or where there some dependent Tasks do not lie on the critical path of a significant milestone), the duration should be the average time required for the Task to be completed by a competent and experienced crew member (measure from assignment to close out). For repetitive work the most common historical actual duration of the Task may be used as a guide. For dependent Tasks (such as the steps in a constrained mining production sequence or equipment shutdown), and that will lie on the critical path of the schedule, the best case, most likely case and worst-case durations should be specified. These three values can be used in defining a schedule with the float necessary to meet expected confidence levels for the schedule outcomes. Time This activity must be completed in time for all of the planning, scheduling and resourcing activities for the work to be completed before the Scheduled Start Date for the Task(s). Resources Completion of this task is the accountability of the role nominated on the configured Planning flowchart.

© McAlear Management Consultants 2004

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