Defining a Tasks Network

In the Individual tasks and subtasks have interdependencies which are based on their sequence. In addition, when more three than one person is involved in a software engineering project. It is likely which development activities and tasks will be performed in parallel. When this occurs and concurrent tasks must be coordinated so by they will be complete when later tasks need their work product.

Basically a task network is a graphic representation of the task flow for a project. It is sometimes used as the mechanism by which task sequence and dependencies are input to an automated project scheduling tool. In the simplest form the task network depicts major software engineering tasks. Figure 8.1 describes a schematic task network for a concept development project.

By the concurrent nature of the software engineering activities leads to a number of important scheduling requirements because parallel tasks occur asynchronously and the planner must determine inter task dependencies to ensure continuous progress weather completion. In addition the project manager should be aware of these tasks which lie on the critical path. That is a task which must be completed on schedule if the project as a whole is to be finished on schedule.

This is important to note that the task network which is describe in figure 8.1 macroscopic. In a description task network each activity shown in figure 8.1 would be expanded. Example For task I.1 would be expanded to describe all tasks detailed in the refinement.