Scheduling: Ten Things To Get Right A Series

No.5 Horizontal & Vertical Traceability.

Horizontal traceability and vertical traceability are two important concepts in project management that are essential for ensuring the successful completion of a project schedule. These concepts are closely related and are often used together to provide a comprehensive view of the project schedule, its dependencies, and its overall progress. In this essay, we will explore the importance of horizontal and vertical traceability in a project schedule and how they are used to manage and control the project schedule.

Horizontal traceability refers to the relationship between different tasks or activities within a project schedule. This relationship is often represented in a project schedule using a Gantt chart, which is a visual representation of the project schedule that shows the start and end dates of each task or activity and their dependencies on one another. Horizontal traceability is important because it allows project managers to understand the interdependencies between different tasks or activities and to identify potential risks and issues that may affect the project schedule.

Vertical traceability, on the other hand, refers to the relationship between different levels of a project schedule. This relationship is often represented in a project schedule using a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), which is a hierarchical representation of the project schedule that shows the different levels of the project schedule and their relationships to one another. Vertical traceability is important because it allows project managers to understand the overall structure of the project schedule and to identify potential risks and issues that may affect the project schedule.

Both horizontal and vertical traceability are essential for effective project management and are closely linked to the Project Management Institute (PMI) and the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering International (AACEI) project management standards. The PMI’s Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) guide, for example, states that traceability is an important aspect of project management and should be used to understand the relationships between different tasks or activities and to identify potential risks and issues that may affect the project schedule. The AACEI’s Total Cost Management Framework (TCMF) also emphasizes the importance of traceability in project management and states that traceability is essential for effective cost management and control.

One of the key benefits of horizontal and vertical traceability in a project schedule is that it allows project managers to identify potential risks and issues early on in the project. By understanding the interdependencies between different tasks or activities and the overall structure of the project schedule, project managers can identify potential risks and issues that may affect the project schedule and take appropriate action to mitigate or eliminate them. This is particularly important in large and complex projects where the risk of delays or budget overruns is high.

Another benefit of horizontal and vertical traceability in a project schedule is that it allows project managers to monitor and control the project schedule more effectively. By understanding the interdependencies between different tasks or activities and the overall structure of the project schedule, project managers can identify potential delays or budget overruns and take appropriate action to address them. This is particularly important in projects where the project schedule is tightly constrained and any delays or budget overruns may have a significant impact on the project’s overall success.

In conclusion, horizontal and vertical traceability are important concepts in project management that are essential for ensuring the successful completion of a project schedule. These concepts are closely related and are often used together to provide a comprehensive view of the project schedule, its dependencies, and its overall progress. By understanding the interdependencies between different tasks or activities and the overall structure of the project schedule, project managers can identify potential risks and issues and take appropriate action to mitigate or eliminate them. This is particularly important in large and complex projects where the risk of delays or budget overruns is high.