Critical Analysis of Network Diagramming Methods

In order to determine the sequence of the activities in a project, Network Diagramming technique is used as it also represents the logical relationship between the activities which need to be done in order to complete the project. (Schwalbe, 2010) The analysis of the following two network diagramming methods is discussed in this post reflecting on the advantages and the disadvantages of these methods.

1. Arrow Diagraming Method (ADM)
2.  Precedence Diagram Method (PDM)

Arrow Diagramming Method also known as Activity on Arrow (AOA) is a network diagramming technique which uses the arrows to represent the activities which are connected to nodes which visualize the start and the end of the activities. Out of the four types of task dependencies AOA only uses Finish-to-Start dependency and in order to exhibit the logical relationship between the activities AOA uses Dummy Activities which needs neither time duration nor allocated resources (Schwalbe, 2010)

Precedence Diagram Method also known as Activity on Node (AON) is the most famous network diagraming network used as it is used in many Project Management software available. Contrast to AOA, this method uses nodes to represent activities and arrows to represent the relationships between them and due to this the need for dummy activities is eliminated in this method. (PMBOK, 2008)

Though AOA is considered as an easy method in terms of implementation and understandability, AON is advantageous as it can demonstrate all four types of task dependencies unlike AOA which can use only Finish-to-Start. Furthermore AON provides a more logical approach as displaying tasks with no time duration or resources (Dummy Activities) is eradiated in this method. 

References

·  PMBOK Guide, 2008. A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, Fourth Edition.

·  Schwalbe K. , 2010. Information Technology Project Management. 6th ed. United States of America: Thomson Learning.