HKSM

A part of the project or program management plan that sets the criteria and procedures for creating the schedule and for monitoring and controlling it.

Key Points

• Defines the scheduling methodology, tools, calendars, and data sources to be used.
• Explains how the schedule baseline is developed, maintained, and changed through integrated change control.
• Sets update cycles, reporting formats, performance metrics, and variance thresholds.
• Clarifies roles and responsibilities for building, reviewing, approving, and managing the schedule.

Example

On a construction project, the team documents in the Schedule Management Plan that they will use CPM in MS Project, update progress weekly, flag variances above 10% for corrective action, and require a formal change request to modify the schedule baseline.

PMP Example Question

During planning, the project manager needs a document that explains how the schedule will be built, what variance limits apply, how status will be reported, and who approves schedule changes. Which document is this?

1. Schedule baseline
2. Project schedule network diagram
3. Schedule management plan
4. Work breakdown structure

Correct Answer: C — Schedule management plan

Explanation: The schedule management plan describes the approach, criteria, roles, and controls for developing, monitoring, and controlling the schedule; the baseline and network diagram are outputs or artifacts, not the governing plan.