Scheduling Engineering Projects
Using Activity-on-Node (AoN) and
Precedence Methods
Name : Abdulmajeed Mohammed Saeed
Al-khathami
1445/2025
Introduction
Scheduling is a critical aspect of engineering project management that ensures
tasks are completed on time and within budget. Two widely used methods for
scheduling engineering projects are the Activity-on-Node (AoN) and
Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM). These techniques help project
managers visualize project activities, their dependencies, and the overall
project timeline. This report explores the application of AoN and PDM in
engineering project scheduling, highlighting their benefits and challenges.
Activity-on-Node (AoN)
The Activity-on-Node (AoN) method is a project management
technique that uses nodes
to represent project activities and arrows to show
the dependencies between them.
Each node contains information about the activity, such as its
duration and dependencies.
The AoN method is particularly useful for complex projects
Benefits of AoN
Visual Clarity: AoN diagrams provide a clear visual representation
I of project activities and their dependencies, making it easier to
understand the project flow and identify bottlenecks (PM Study
Circle, 2024).
Critical Path Identification: AoN diagrams help identify the
critical path, which is the longest sequence of activities in Ⅱ
the project. This is essential for determining the minimum
project duration and focusing on tasks that directly impact
the project completion date (PM Study Circle, 2024).
Flexible Dependency Types: AoN diagrams can
Ⅲ accommodate various dependency types, including
Finish-to-Start, Start-to-Start, Finish-to-Finish, and
Start-to-Finish. This flexibility allows for the modeling of
complex project scenarios (PM Study Circle, 2024).
Challenges of AoN
Complexity for Large Projects: AoN diagrams can become
I complex and difficult to manage for large projects with many
activities and dependencies. This complexity can make the
diagrams hard to interpret and update (PM Study Circle, 2024).
Time-Consuming Updates: Any changes in the project scope or
schedule require updates to the AoN diagram, which can be
time-consuming. This is especially true for large projects where
II
many activities and dependencies need to be adjusted (PM Study
Circle, 2024).
Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM)
The Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM) is similar
to the AoN method but offers more flexibility in
representing dependencies. PDM uses nodes to
represent activities and arrows to show dependencies,
but it also allows for different types of dependencies,
making it suitable for complex projects
(ProjectManager, 2024).
Benefits of PDM Challenges of PDM
1. Enhanced Flexibility: PDM allows for 1. Dependency Misinterpretation: If
various dependency types, making it dependencies are not clearly defined,
more versatile than other methods like there is a risk of misinterpreting them,
the Activity-on-Arrow (AoA) method. This which can result in improper sequencing
flexibility is crucial for projects with and scheduling of tasks
complex relationships between tasks (ProjectManager, 2024).
(ProjectManager, 2024). 2. Learning Curve: Team members and
2. Improved Resource Allocation: By stakeholders unfamiliar with PDM might
visualizing the project schedule, project need training to understand and use the
managers can better allocate resources and method effectively. This can be an
identify over-allocated resources. This helps additional cost and time factor
in optimizing the schedule for better (ProjectManager, 2024).
efficiency (ProjectManager, 2024).
3. Better Communication: PDM diagrams act
as a communication tool, helping
stakeholders, team members, and
Application in Engineering Projects
management understand the project In engineering projects, AoN and PDM are used
timeline, sequence of activities, and their to schedule tasks such as design, construction,
dependencies (ProjectManager, 2024). and testing. These methods help project
managers identify the critical path, allocate
resources, and monitor project progress. For
example, in construction scheduling, AoN
diagrams map out the intricate web of tasks,
such as excavating the foundation, pouring
concrete, or installing windows. Arrows connect
these nodes, signifying the dependencies
between them (LinkedIn, 2023).
Case Study: Software Development Project
In software development, PDM can be used to
schedule tasks such as requirements gathering,
design, coding, testing, and deployment. The
PDM diagram helps identify dependencies
between tasks and ensures that resources are
allocated efficiently. For example, coding cannot
start until the design is complete, and testing
cannot begin until coding is finished
(ProjectManager, 2024).
Case Study
Conclusion
The Activity-on-Node (AoN) and
Precedence Diagramming Method
(PDM) are powerful tools for scheduling
engineering projects. They provide
visual clarity, help identify the critical
path, and improve resource allocation.
Case Study: Construction Project
However, they also come with
In a construction project, the AoN method can be
challenges such as complexity for large
used to schedule tasks such as site preparation,
projects and the need for accurate data.
foundation, framing, plumbing, electrical work,
Despite these challenges, AoN and
roofing, and finishing. The AoN diagram helps
PDM are invaluable for project
identify the critical path and ensures that tasks are
managers in ensuring that engineering
completed in the correct sequence. For instance,
projects are completed on time and
the foundation cannot be laid until the site is
within budget.
prepared, and framing cannot start until the
foundation is complete (LinkedIn, 2023).
References
PM Study Circle. (2024). Precedence Diagramming Method (Activity on Node Method)
in Scheduling.
https://pmstudycircle.com/precedence-diagrammingmethod-activity-on-node-metho
d-scheduling/
ProjectManager. (2024). An Intro to the Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM).
https://www.projectmanager.com/blog/precedence-diagrammingmethod
LinkedIn. (2023). Activity on Node in Construction Scheduling: A Roadmap to Project
Harmony.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/activity-node-constructionscheduling-roadmap-proj
ect-nirmanitha-z5rac
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