Project Management Network Diagram Complete Guide

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It's easy for a project manager to become perplexed at the start of a project. The most common source of difficulty is determining which activities should be prioritized. It is critical to establish a logical relationship between the tasks so that everyone understands the project's nature and sequence. It's also critical for the core project team to quantify the interdependence between activities to operate as efficiently as possible and meet the project's objectives. As a result, specific preparation is required while determining the dependencies.

Project managers require a network diagram project management tool to graphically represent a project's activity and events. This project management network diagram guide will teach you how to create a project network diagram using EdrawMax. In addition, we will explore the types of project network diagrams. Without further ado, let's get started.

project management network diagram cover

1. What is a Network Diagram in Project Management

A project network is a graph that depicts the activities, timeframe, and interdependencies inside your project. However, a network diagram is a graphical representation of a project's activities and events. It illustrates how each activity in the project links to others, the order in which activities must be completed, and the importance of executing some tasks before others.

Network diagrams also make it easier to analyze the effect of early or late starts or finishes, offer information on resource allocation, and allow managers to conduct "what if" scenarios. Managers can use this data to check on the status of the plan, review progress, and weigh alternatives.

Network Diagram in Project Management

Each activity must have a start and an end, and all other activities must fit within these constraints. There are various techniques to design a network diagram, but the arrow diagramming method (ADM) and the precedence diagramming method (PDM) are the two most used methods. Most project managers nowadays design their network diagrams using the precedence diagramming method.

Project Network Diagram:

A project network diagram illustrates a project that uses a sequence of related arrows and boxes to show the interrelationships between the project's activities. The activity description is represented by boxes or nodes, whereas arrows show the relationship between the activities.

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2. Types of Project Network Diagrams

When drawing your project network diagram, you must choose the successor or predecessor for each activity. After this, you have to create a dependencies chart. However, before creating the diagram, you have to generate a logical connection between the activities. Therefore, a project manager must analyze these dependencies before creating the diagram. Nowadays, you can use several network diagram software to loop through activities. Notwithstanding, a project network diagram comprises the arrow and the precedence diagramming method. It's essential to have a basic knowledge of these two types of project network diagrams.

2.1 Arrow Diagramming Method (Arrow Network)

An Arrow network diagram is a network diagram where activities are displayed using arrows and connected using nodes. The arrow tail represents the beginning of the activity, whereas the head is the end of the activity. The arrow length is directly proportioned to the activity duration.

An arrow network only displays the finish-to-start relationships between activities. Each activity starts and ends at a node; the node represents the starting or ending of an activity in a sequence. An activity starting node is known as I-node, whereas the ending node of an activity is called J-node.

Relationships between activities usually require a dummy activity to represent these activities correctly. Unlike the arrow length, the dummy activities don't have any duration. However, it establishes complex relationships between activities that cannot be established. In most network diagrams, dotted lines represent a dummy activity.

Pros of Arrow Diagramming Method:

Visual picture of the project for all the stakeholders that participate in the business in any way.
It lays out the steps and required tasks necessary in a project and the order they need to be executed.
It shows complete time frame important deadlines and reporting dates of each step.
It helps in tracking dependencies, monitoring quality of work and chasing potential bottlenecks.
This method makes it easier to figure out a sequence of tasks and duties in the project, allowing project managers and their subordinates to deliver in an effective and efficient manner.

Cons of Arrow Diagramming Method:

Mapping out an arrow diagram method is time consuming and requires high costs, and talent to produce.
Arrow diagram method does not give every little detail about the project and the tasks that it entails.
It's quite complex to scale the timeframe of the tasks.

2.2 How to Create an Arrow Diagramming Network Diagram

Let's look at the data below. It contains six activities starting from A to F with the predecessors of every activity.

Activity	Predecessor
A	-
B	A
C	A
D	B
E	C
F	D,E

If you want to create the arrow diagram for this example, you need to draw a node that illustrates the start of the project. From the diagram below, node 1 represents the start of the project. The numbering of the node doesn't have to start with 1; you can use whatever you want.

Activity A doesn't have any predecessor, so you draw an arrow initiating the beginning of the node and ending at 2. At node 2, activity A has ended and likewise with other numbers. Similarly, you can draw activities D and E. Since activity F has two predecessors, it requires two arrows to indicate the originating point where D and E end (node 5). However, node 6 represents activity F ending and also terminates the project.

In ADM:

The tail of the arrow represents the beginning of the action, and the head of the arrow represents the end.
The arrow length usually indicates how long the activity will last.
Each arrow links two "nodes" or boxes. The nodes are used to mark the beginning and end of a sequence of activities. The "I-node" is the initial node of an activity, while the "J-node" is the last node of a series.
An ADM diagram can indicate the only connection between nodes and activity is "finish to start," or FS.

2.3 Precedence Diagramming Method (Node Network)

The precedence diagramming diagram represents activities using nodes that are linked using arrows. The arrows represent the relationships between these activities. Unlike the arrow diagramming network, the precedence diagramming network can represent four different types of relationships. These include Finish to Start, Finish to Finish, Start to Finish, and Start to Start.

Pros of Precedence Diagramming Method:

PDM is a better tool to more accurately develop the project schedule as compared to ADM.
This diagramming method clearly speaks about the dependencies clearly stating everyone's duties and responsibilities.
It helps to evaluate critical activities and helps to focus on them.
In PDM required time is labeled alongside the arrows, which helps the stakeholders to scale the timeframe of the project.
The PDM also shows the results and impacts occurred due to changes in the schedule.
It shows activities as flow lines and not points in time.

Cons of Precedence Diagramming Method:

Updating and managing the changes can be a troublesome task and is time consuming.
It is more complex to update and manage due to less network details.

2.4 How to Create a Precedence Diagramming Network Diagram

Let's look at the following data to illustrate how you can create a precedence network diagram. The table below shows six activities, starting from A to F. The predecessors for every activity are also shown in the table.

Activity	Predecessor
A	-
B	A
C	A
D	B
E	C
F	D,E

To create the precedence diagram, you must draw the first box to represent activity A (starting point). The next step is to connect B and C, which have A as the predecessor. Therefore, two boxes must connect B and C before connecting to activity A. Furthermore, you need to draw a box for D and E that connects to activities B and C, respectively. Finally, you will draw another activity box for F while connecting it to D and E activities.

In PDM:

Start to Finish (SF) - It is an uncommon dependency where one activity can only finish one another starts.
Finish to Start (FS) - The activity cannot start before another finish.
Finish to Finish (FF) - Occurs when two activities must finish together.
Start to Start (SS) - Occurs when two activities can start simultaneously.

2.5 Differences between the Arrow and Precedence Diagramming Methods

So far, it is easy to identify some critical distinctions between both types of project network diagrams.

The precedence diagramming method is more straightforward and widely used than the arrow diagramming method.
You don't require any dummy activity to represent a complex relationship in PDM. However, you need lines to display relationships. In an arrow diagram network, you need dummy activities to represent complex relationships.
n the arrow network, you only have two relationship types (Start to Finish), unlike PDM, which has four types.

3. Preparations Before Drawing Project Network Diagrams

Before starting your project network diagram, you need to know the chronological order these activities must be executed. You have to define the network diagram's start and ending points in it. In addition, you need to use your arrows from left to right when plotting your diagram. The diagram should automatically follow such a pattern.

It's vital for the project network diagram to remain as straightforward as possible and easy for people to discern. Therefore, there shouldn't be any clutter within the page with arrows crossing one another. Any arrow used for directional purposes must be straight. However, the duration for a particular arrow represented must not be based on its length.

Drawing a network diagram requires a lot of pre-planning to achieve the best outcome. Here are a few things to prepare yourself before drawing project network diagrams.

Step #1 Design a Predecessor Table

A predecessor table represents a table that displays the activities in one column and records the preceding activities that came before them in the other. For example, here's the predecessor table. Keep in mind that this is a predecessor table for an arrow diagramming method, in which arrows indicate activities and nodes represent milestones.

Activity	Description	Predecessor
0	Kick-off meeting (Start)	-
1	Identify market	-
2	Design website	-
3	Create Content	-
4	Submit Content	3
5	Edit Content	3
6	Build content	2, 4
7	Develop marketing	1
8	Marketing push	7
9	Test website	6
10	SEO work	5
11	Launch website	8, 9, 10

Step #2 Identify Activities for the Network Diagram

You must first plan your tasks before putting pen to paper. You don't want to get started on your project network diagrams to discover that you've forgotten to include some key activities. Task dependencies exist in which tasks cannot begin or terminate until another activity has begun or ended. Using a work breakdown structure, identify them and divide the project into phases. Then you may begin creating the network diagram and determining the critical path.

Step #3 Sketch a Draft of Your Network Diagram

On a more fundamental level, begin by sketching your project network diagram on paper. You can then delete and rearrange elements until you've created the most efficient schedule network diagram possible.

Consider font once you've completed the final design. Different typefaces can be used to draw attention to specific areas of the diagram and make your project network diagrams simpler to read. A note or key at the bottom will also assist the reader in comprehending the information.

Step #4 Review Your Sketch

You might want to review your diagram again to ensure everything is positioned correctly. You can use the predecessor table to check if the activities match their order and if the dependent activities are depicted. Once everything looks good, you can start your main drawing using any software. With this, you minimize the time you would have spent on software trying to figure out how the diagram should be.

Step #5 Drawing Your Network Diagram

Lastly, you need good software to capture your sketched work. While there are different software, you might want to consider using EdrawMax. You can use the standalone program or the web application. With EdrawMax, you can start from scratch or use a network diagram template to create your drawing.

3.1 Project Network Diagram Requirements

As previously said, creating a network diagram involves thorough planning. Before creating a network diagram, the following information should be available.

The project's start and finish points must be specified and outlined.
There must be a list of all project activities.
It is necessary to make an accurate estimate of the duration for each activity to complete.
It is vital to identify dependencies.

3.2 Best Practices for Project Network Diagrams

The following are best practices to follow when creating a project network diagram. When done correctly, network diagrams can provide several advantages. Let's look at some of the best practices for creating a network diagram project management.

Use internationally recognized and acknowledged standard network diagramming symbols.
If you're going to use different symbols, ensure they are defined.
Use straight arrows at all times.
Avoid crisscrossing arrows.
Use the smallest number of dummies possible.
Arrows should be utilized in a left-to-right direction.
Use only one starting and ending point.
Make use of tools to improve precision and clarity.
Ensure your diagram contains up-to-date and relevant information.
The network diagram must have the appropriate level of detail.
Ensure the information or data for creating the diagram is accurate.

4. How to Draw a Project Network Diagram in EdrawMax

A project network diagram is a diagram that connects activities and displays all project tasks, durations, logical relationships, and activity interdependencies. Project schedule network diagram is another name for project network diagram. A project network diagram comprises blocks, circles, lines, dotted lines, arrows, and other symbols that allow you to see relationships between activities quickly. Let's look at the steps to draw a project network diagram in EdrawMax.

Step1 Open EdrawMax and Login

The very first step that you need to follow is to install EdrawMax in your system. Go to EdrawMax Download and download the network diagram software depending upon your operating system. If you need remote collaboration with your office team, head to EdrawMax Online and log in using your registered email address.