Planning & Scheduling
Project Network Diagram
MyPMP
QMS Template
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πΊοΈ Planning & Scheduling
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About the Project Network Diagram template
A Project Network Diagram is a graphical map of project activities showing their logical dependencies and sequence, typically drawn as an activity-on-node (AON) or precedence diagram. It reveals which tasks must finish before others start, exposes the critical path, and shows where float exists. Building one turns a flat task list into a schedule model you can analyze and optimize.
It's part of My QMS, MyPMP's Quality Management System: fill it in online, personalize it with your name and logo, then export a clean, branded PDF. Your work auto-saves in your browser.
When to use a Project Network Diagram
- βΈSequencing activities during initial schedule development, before setting dates in a Gantt chart
- βΈIdentifying the critical path and calculating total float on your tasks
- βΈAnalyzing the impact of a delay or a proposed fast-tracking or crashing decision
- βΈCommunicating dependency logic to stakeholders who need to see why the sequence matters
What a good Project Network Diagram includes
- βActivity nodes labeled with a unique ID and task name
- βDependency arrows showing finish-to-start, start-to-start, finish-to-finish or start-to-finish relationships
- βDurations for each activity in consistent units
- βEarly start, early finish, late start and late finish values for forward and backward pass
- βTotal float and free float per activity
- βA clearly marked critical path (zero-float chain from start to finish)
What's inside this template
The interactive form above gives you:
Purpose / summaryScope / detailsApproach / bodyDeliverables / outcomesNotes & sign-off
Tips & common mistakes
- π‘Define every dependency as a true logical constraint, not a resource or preference; false dependencies distort the critical path.
- π‘Run both a forward and backward pass before trusting your float figures; a single missed relationship can shift the whole critical path.
- π‘Avoid dangling activities with no predecessor or successor except the project start and end nodes.
How it works
- 1. Fill it in β type directly into the fields, tables and sections above.
- 2. Brand it β add your organization name and logo with the Branding button.
- 3. Export β print to PDF, or become a member to white-label and sync across devices.
FAQ
How do I find the critical path from a network diagram?οΌ
Complete a forward pass to get early start and finish dates, then a backward pass for late dates; the critical path is the continuous chain of activities with zero total float from start to end.
What is the difference between a network diagram and a Gantt chart?οΌ
A network diagram focuses on the logical dependencies and sequence between activities, while a Gantt chart plots those activities against a calendar timeline. The network is used to build and analyze the logic that a Gantt then displays with dates.
What do the arrows in a precedence diagram mean?οΌ
Arrows represent dependency relationships between activities, most commonly finish-to-start, meaning the successor cannot begin until the predecessor completes. Other types include start-to-start, finish-to-finish and start-to-finish, sometimes with lead or lag time.
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