Project planning decision trees

An overview of the project plan, with timeline and delineated critical path, may be conveniently presented as a Gantt chart. A decision tree is another visual aid which can serve to clarify the critical information required for each milestone decision. 

An excellent example of a decision trees is shown in Figure 27.8. This example outlines the IND regulatory review and approval process. Similar decision trees are developed by project teams within the biopharma-ceutical industry. Project teams are now being asked not only to construct decision trees, but to develop contingency plans based on "what-if" scenarios far in advance of the next decision points. The goal is to ensure that the project will not lose forward motion in the event of a "no" decision that requires rework or another loop through the project cycle, or a decision by the PMT that resources for a particular project are more urgently needed for another project. 

Positive or objective trees are extremely useful planning tools. In the early stages of a project, they can be used to outline project requirements and list alternatives. As decisions are made, they evolve into graphic checklists and also make excellent status charts and project description documents. 

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