Mastering Primavera: A Complete Guide to Project Scheduling for Future Leaders
Team Academy
Ever felt overwhelmed by project scheduling tools like Primavera? You're not alone—but we’re here to break it down for you. In a recent training session, we explored Primavera's core scheduling concepts. From activity types and relationships to calculating durations and building a resource database, the session was packed with actionable insights for aspiring project managers.
Whether you're just getting started or looking to sharpen your skills, this guide highlights the key takeaways you need to build smarter, more efficient project plans.
🧠 What Are Primavera Activity Types?
Primavera offers six types of activities, each designed to support different project needs:
Task Dependent: Follows the project calendar regardless of resource availability.
Resource Dependent: Duration adjusts based on the assigned resources.
Start Milestone: Marks the beginning of major phases (zero duration).
Finish Milestone: Marks the end of key phases (zero duration).
Level of Effort (LOE): Duration auto-adjusts based on linked activities—ideal for ongoing support tasks like site office maintenance.
WBS Summary: Summarizes the duration and performance of grouped activities under a Work Breakdown Structure.
🛠️ Understanding when to use each type is foundational to building accurate and realistic schedules.
🔗 Dependencies: The Backbone of Scheduling Logic
There are four types of dependencies that define how activities are connected:
1. Mandatory (Hard Logic) – Fixed relationships, such as needing to pour concrete before removing formwork.
2. Discretionary (Soft Logic) – Based on best practices or team preferences.
3. External – Driven by forces outside the project (e.g., third-party approvals).
4. Internal – Managed within the project team.
📊 Relationships Between Activities
To keep projects moving smoothly, Primavera uses four core activity relationships:
Finish-to-Start (FS): Most common—Activity B starts after Activity A finishes.
Start-to-Start (SS): B starts once A starts.
Finish-to-Finish (FF): B finishes when A finishes.
Start-to-Finish (SF): Rare and generally avoided due to complexity.
Also covered:
Lag: A delay between connected activities.
Lead: A negative lag that speeds up execution.
These mechanics help create schedules that reflect the actual flow of work.
🚦 Total Float vs. Free Float
Here’s how to understand float:
Total Float: The time an activity can be delayed without affecting the overall project. Activities with zero total float are on the critical path.
Free Float: The time an activity can be delayed without impacting the start of the next activity.
Knowing how to track float ensures you can manage risks and keep timelines tight.
🧩 Linking Activities & Building Realistic Schedules
Participants got hands-on experience with:
Selecting activities
Assigning activity types
Creating logical relationships using predecessors
The session walked through linking key steps like project start → mobilization → fencing → site office setup. There were also troubleshooting tips for different Primavera versions.
📥 A full activity list and relationship guide will be shared to help you practice on your own.
⏱️ Calculating Activity Duration: Two Smart Methods
Two approaches were demonstrated for determining how long an activity will take, using painting 1,000 square meters as an example:
Method 1 (Standard):
Total quantity ÷ daily productivity per crew = duration
Adjust based on the number of crews
Method 2 (Middle East Approach):
Start with desired duration
Calculate the required manpower to meet that goal
Both methods stress the importance of productivity rates and resource planning.
🛠️ Building Your Resource Database
To wrap things up, participants learned how to build a resource database in Primavera by:
Adding labor, materials, and equipment
Assigning resource IDs, names, and types
Grouping by type and creating custom views
Creating and applying units of measure
The session ended with an assignment: Create activities with predecessors using the provided templates and reference materials.
📍 Final Thoughts
The session concluded with a recap and open Q&A. The focus was clear: learning project scheduling tools like Primavera doesn’t have to be intimidating. With the right foundation, anyone can become a scheduling pro.
🚀 Your Next Steps:
✅ Practice linking activities using the shared sample list.
✅ Build your own resource database in Primavera.
✅ Understand how float and dependencies shape your schedule.
📚 Ready to go deeper?
👉🏻Course Details: Click here for more details
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