Activity List Template

1. Introduction
This document describes a template for an activity list based on a project WBS, which is typical
on the development of new products for the electromechanical industry like industrial
automation equipment.

The Activities List is an output of the Define Activities process, described as “The process of
identifying and document the specific actions to be performed to produce the project
deliverables.” [A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide)—Fifth
Edition, Chapter 6]

The Activity List is then used as input for the following processes: Sequence Activities, Estimate
Activity Resource, Estimate Activities Duration and Develop Schedule.

The PMBOK Guide—Fifth Edition provides essential guidelines to produce an Activity List,
mainly on the following chapters:

 Chapter 6.2.2.1: The activity list, WBS and WBS dictionary can be developed either
sequentially or concurrently, with the WBS and WBS dictionary as the basis for
development of the final activity list. Each work package within the WBS is decomposed
into the activities required to produce the work package deliverables.

 Chapter 6.2.3.1: The Activity List is a comprehensive list that includes all schedule
activities required on the project. The Activity List also includes the activity identifier and
a scope of work description for each activity in sufficient detail to ensure that the project
team members understand what work is required to be completed. Each activity should
have a unique title that describes its place in the schedule, even if that activity title is
described outside the context of the project schedule.
2. Purpose
The purpose of this document is to offer an activity list based on the key disciplines that
distinguish a development of a new product for the electromechanical industry.

Project managers working on this type of projects can take it as a basis to identify the activities
of their projects, keeping the consistency with the project WBS, covering the generation of
specifications, design, manufacturing and validation at module and system levels.

The template also suggests several review activities, recommended to be planned in order to
improve the quality of the work packages deliverables.

3. Reference WBS
This template uses the following basic WBS as reference for the activity list:

Electromechanical
Product
Development

System System Electromechanical SW System tests

Requirements Test Development Development
Specification Specifications

Design Module PCB Module tests

Specifications Test Development
Specifications

Other WBS elements (e.g. Project Management, Training, etc.) are also typical for similar
projects but are not on the focus of this template.

4. Activity list template

The activity list template is delivered as a series of tables organized by the WBS elements and
work packages. Each activity has its description, scope and deliverables when applicable.
 4.1. System requirements specification

4.1.1. System requirements specification generation

WBS discipline Work package Activity Activity scope Work package deliverables
System requirements System Create system Identify and register the system
specification requirements requirements requirements, e.g.
specification specification - Interfaces with other systems
generation - User interfaces
- Code and market requirements
- Functional and non-functional
requirements.
- System behavior for normal operation and
exception handling (e.g. input overvoltage or
undervoltage).
Review system Review the document with the involved parts Review report with findings.
requirements (e.g. developers, marketing, production, Correction plan.
specification installation and maintenance teams)
preferably during its elaboration.
Collect the review findings and plan the
corrections.
Approve system Get formal approval from the main Approved system
requirements stakeholders for the system requirements requirements specification
specification specification.
 4.2. Design specifications

4.2.1. Electromechanical device specification generation

WBS discipline Work package Activity Activity scope Work package deliverables
Design specifications Electromechanical Create Identify and register the electromechanical
device specification electromechanical device requirements, e.g.
generation device specification - Physical dimensions
- Electrical and mechanical interfaces
- Operating temperature range
- Maximum operating altitude
- Maximum weight
- EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility)
requirements.
- Vibration and shock requirements
- Protection degrees (e.g. touch, water
resistance, etc.).
- Required certifications (e.g. CSA, UL, etc.)
- Operating voltage range
- Maximum power consumption
- Ecology and health related requirements
(e.g. prohibited substances, disposal
requirements, etc.)
- Labelling requirements (e.g. warning
labels, required languages, etc.)
- Production related requirements (e.g.
hanging points, test points, BOM - Bill Of
Material- concept, configuration levels, etc.)
- Logistic related requirements (e.g.
minimum and maximum volumes for
consolidation, preferred suppliers, etc.).
- Installation related requirements (e.g.
fixation points, wiring, power up sequence,
etc.).
- Maintenance (spare parts selection,
periodic maintenance concept, periodic
replacement of components, etc.).
WBS discipline Work package Activity Activity scope Work package deliverables
Design specifications Electromechanical Review Review the document with the involved parts Review report with findings.
device specification electromechanical (e.g. electromechanical designers, Correction plan.
generation device specification production, installation and maintenance
teams) preferably during its elaboration.
Record the review findings and plan the
respective corrections.
Approve Get formal approval of electromechanical Approved electromechanical
electromechanical device specification from involved parts. device specification
device specification
 4.2.2. PCB specification generation
WBS discipline Work package Activity Activity scope Work package deliverables
Design specifications PCB specification Create PCB Identify and register the PCB requirements,
generation specification e.g.
- Physical dimensions
- Electrical and mechanical interfaces
- Operating temperature range
- Maximum operating altitude
- EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility)
requirements.
- Vibration and shock requirements
- Protection degrees (e.g. touch, water
resistance, etc.).
- Required certifications (e.g. CSA, UL, etc).
- Operating voltage range
- Maximum power consumption
- PCB features (e.g. functions to be
performed by the PCB)
- Memory and I/O mapping
- Safety related requirements (e.g. minimum
distance between tracks, minimum pitch of
connectors, etc.).
- Reliability requirements (e.g. MTBF)
- Decisions from the Failure Mode and
Effects Analysis (FMEA)
- Ecology and health related requirements
(e.g. prohibited substances, disposal
requirements, etc.)
- Production related requirements (e.g.
maximum dimensions for assembly
machines, programming points, test points,
etc.)
- Logistic related requirements (e.g.
minimum and maximum volumes, preferred
suppliers, etc.).
- Maintenance (e.g. repair concept).
WBS discipline Work package Activity Activity scope Work package deliverables
Design specifications PCB specification Review PCB Review the document with the involved parts Review report with findings.
generation specification (e.g. PCB developers, production, Correction plan.
installation and maintenance teams)
preferably during its elaboration.
Record the findings and plan the respective
corrections.
Approve PCB Get formal approval of PCB specification Approved PCB specification
specification from involved parts.
 4.2.3. SW specification generation
WBS discipline Work package Activity Activity scope Work package deliverables
Design specifications SW specification Create SW Describe the SW functional and non-
generation specification functional requirements, e.g.
- Interfaces with other systems (e.g.
communication protocols)
- User interfaces
- System behavior for normal operation and
exception handling (e.g. input overvoltage or
undervoltage).
- Backwards compatibility.
- HW limitations (e.g. maximum code and
data sizes).
- Required monitoring functions from the
Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
- Manufacturing requirements (e.g. SW
download during production, dummy
configurations for production tests, etc).
- Installation requirements (e.g. minimum
system requirements, SW distribution media,
etc).
- Maintenance requirements (e.g. SW
update).
Review SW Review document with the involved parts Review report with findings.
specification (requirements engineers, SW developers, Correction plan.
testers, production, installation and
maintenance team, etc.) preferably during its
elaboration.
Record the review findings and plan the
respective corrections.
Approve SW Get formal approval of SW specification from Approved SW specification.
specification involved parts.
 4.3. System test specifications

4.3.1. System test specification generation

WBS discipline Work package Activity Activity scope Work package deliverables
System test System test Create system test Based on the system requirements
specifications specification specification specification, define the tests to be
generation performed at system level, e.g.
- Functional tests
- Performance tests
- Configuration tests
- Installation tests
- Customer acceptance tests
Define the configurations to be tested.
Review system test Review the document with the involved parts Review report with findings.
specification (e.g. developers, testers, etc.) preferably Correction plan.
during its elaboration.
Collect the review findings and plan the
corrections.
Approve system test Get the formal approval of the involved parts Approved system test
specification for the document specification
 4.3.2. Piloting test specification generation
WBS discipline Work package Activity Activity scope Work package deliverables
System test Piloting test Create piloting test Define the number and characteristics of
specifications specification specification pilot units where tests at system level shall
generation be repeated.
Based on the system requirements
specification, select the meaningful tests to
be repeated at pilot units, e.g.
- Functional tests
- Performance tests
- Configuration tests
- Installation tests
- Customer acceptance tests
Review piloting test Review the document with the involved parts Review report with findings.
specification (e.g. developers, testers, etc.) preferably Correction plan.
during its elaboration.
Collect the review findings and plan the
corrections.
Approve piloting test Get the formal approval of the involved parts Approved piloting test
specification for the document specification
 4.4. Module test specifications

4.4.1. Electromechanical device test specification generation

WBS discipline Work package Activity Activity scope Work package deliverables
Module test Electromechanical Create Based on the electromechanical device
specifications device test electromechanical specification, define the tests to be
specification device test performed at module level, e.g.
generation specification - Electrical interface tests
- Temperature tests
- EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) tests.
- Vibration and shock tests.
- Protection degree tests (e.g. IPX3)
- Certification tests (e.g. CSA, UL).
- Overvoltage and undervoltage tests.
- Configuration tests
- Installation tests

Review Review the document with the involved parts Review report with findings.
electromechanical (e.g. electromechanical developers, testers, Correction plan.
device test etc.) preferably during its elaboration.
specification Collect the review findings and plan the
corrections.

Approve Get the formal approval of the involved parts Approved electromechanical
electromechanical for the document. device test specification
device test
specification
 4.4.2. PCB test specification generation
WBS discipline Work package Activity Activity scope Work package deliverables
Module test PCB test Create PCB test Based on the PCB specification, define the
specifications specification specification tests to be performed at module level, e.g.
generation - Electrical interface tests
- Temperature tests
- EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) tests.
- Vibration and shock tests
- Protection degree tests (e.g. IPX3).
- Certification tests (e.g. CSA, UL).
- Overvoltage and undervoltage tests
- Short circuit protection tests
- PCB functional tests
Review PCB test Review the document with the involved parts Review report with findings.
specification (e.g. PCB developers, testers, etc.) Correction plan.
preferably during its elaboration.
Collect the review findings and plan the
corrections.
Approve PCB test Get the formal approval of the involved parts Approved PCB test
specification for the document. specification
 4.4.3. SW test specification generation
WBS discipline Work package Activity Activity scope Work package deliverables
Module test SW test specification Create SW test Based on the SW specification, define the
specifications generation specification tests to be performed at module level, e.g.
- Unit tests
- Interface tests (e.g. communication tests)
- User interface tests
- Functional tests (normal and exceptional
scenarios)
- Backwards compatibility tests
- Monitoring function tests
- SW configuration tests
- SW installation and update tests
Review SW test Review the document with the involved parts Review report with findings.
specification (e.g. SW developers, testers, etc.) preferably Correction plan.
during its elaboration.
Collect the review findings and plan the
corrections.
Approve SW Get the formal approval of the involved parts Approved SW test
specification for the document. specification
 4.5. Electromechanical development

WBS discipline Work package Activity Activity scope Work package deliverables
Electromechanical Electromechanical Design Based on the electromechanical device
development device development electromechanical specification, design the electromechanical
device device.
Prepare the prototype documentation for
production.
Prepare documentation for installation and
maintenance.
Review Review prototype documentation with the Review report with findings.
electromechanical production team. Correction plan.
device prototype Collect the review findings and plan the Approved prototype
documentation corrections. documentation for
production.
Manufacture Based on the approved documentation for
electromechanical production, manufacture the
device prototype electromechanical device prototype.
Review Review the electromechanical device Review report with findings.
electromechanical prototype against the approved Correction plan.
device prototype with documentation for production. Prototype ready for module
production. Collect the review findings and plan the tests.
corrections.
Module tests Electromechanical Perform module tests Perform tests with the electromechanical Test report with findings.
device tests with the device prototype according to the Correction plan.
execution electromechanical electromechanical device test specification. Prototype ready for system
device prototype. Collect the test findings and plan the tests.
corrections.
System tests System tests Perform system tests Integrate the electromechanical device into System test report with
execution with the the system and perform the tests at system findings.
electromechanical level (e.g. interface, functional, EMC, Correction plan.
device prototype. temperature, shock and vibration tests)
according to the system test specification.
Perform the required certifications tests.
Collect the test findings and plan the
corrections.
WBS discipline Work package Activity Activity scope Work package deliverables
Electromechanical Electromechanical Implement correction Based on module and system test reports,
development device development from tests at module implement the mandatory corrections on the
and system levels. electromechanical device documentation
before releasing it for piloting.
Electromechanical Electromechanical Review Review manufacturing documentation with Review report with findings.
development device development electromechanical the production team. Correction plan.
device Review installation and maintenance
documentation for documentation with the respective teams.
piloting Collect the review findings and plan the
corrections.
Release Get formal approval from production, Electromechanical device
electromechanical installation and maintenance teams to documentation released for
device release the electromechanical device piloting.
documentation for documentation for piloting.
piloting
Manufacture Based on the approved documentation for
electromechanical production, manufacture the
device for piloting. electromechanical device for piloting.
Review Review the electromechanical device Review report with findings.
electromechanical produced for piloting against the released Correction plan.
device produced for documentation for production. Electromechanical device
piloting. Collect the review findings and plan the ready for piloting tests.
corrections.
System tests Piloting tests Perform piloting tests Install the electromechanical device on a Piloting test reports with
execution real environment. findings.
Perform functional, installation and Correction plan.
maintenance tests based on the piloting test
specification.
Collect the findings and plan the corrections.
Electromechanical Electromechanical Implement correction Implement the corrections based on the
development device development from piloting tests piloting test reports.
Update the electromechanical device
production, installation and maintenance
documentation.
Review Review the electromechanical device Review report with findings.
electromechanical production, installation and maintenance Correction plan.
device documentation with the respective teams.
documentation for Collect the findings and plan the corrections.
full production.
WBS discipline Work package Activity Activity scope Work package deliverables
Release Get formal approval from production, Electromechanical device
electromechanical installation and maintenance teams to documentation released for
documentation for release the electromechanical device full production.
full production. documentation for full production.

4.6. PCB development

WBS discipline Work package Activity Activity scope Work package deliverables
PCB development PCB development Design PCB Based on the PCB specification, design the
PCB.
Prepare the PCB prototype documentation
for production.
Review PCB Review the PCB prototype documentation Review report with findings.
prototype with the production team. Correction plan.
documentation Collect the review findings and plan the Approved prototype
corrections. documentation for
production.
Manufacture PCB Based on the approved documentation for
prototype production, manufacture the PCB prototype.
Review PCB Review the PCB prototype against the Review report with findings.
prototype with approved documentation for production. Correction plan.
production. Collect the review findings and plan the Prototype ready for module
corrections. tests.
Module tests PCB tests execution Perform module tests Perform tests with the PCB prototype Test report with findings.
with the PCB against the PCB test specification. Correction plan.
prototype. Collect the review findings and plan the Prototype ready for system
corrections. tests.
System tests System tests Perform system tests Integrate the PCB into the system and System test report with
execution with the PCB perform the tests at system level (e.g. findings.
prototype. interface, functional, EMC, temperature, Correction plan.
shock and vibration tests) according to the
system test specification.
Perform the required certifications tests.
Collect the test findings and plan the
corrections.
PCB development PCB development Implement correction Based on module and system test reports,
from tests at module implement the mandatory corrections on the
and system levels. PCB documentation before releasing it for
piloting.
WBS discipline Work package Activity Activity scope Work package deliverables
Review PCB Review prototype documentation with the Review report with findings.
documentation for production team. Correction plan.
piloting Review installation and maintenance
documentation with the respective teams.
Collect the review findings and plan the
corrections.
PCB development PCB development Release PCB Get formal approval from production, PCB documentation released
documentation for installation and maintenance teams to for piloting.
piloting release the PCB documentation for piloting.
Manufacture PCB for Based on the approved documentation for
piloting. production, manufacture the PCB for
piloting.
Review PCB Review the PCB produced for piloting Review report with findings.
produced for piloting. against the released documentation for Correction plan.
production. PCB ready for piloting tests.
Collect the review findings and plan the
corrections.
System tests Piloting tests Perform piloting tests Install the PCB on a real environment. Piloting test reports with
execution Perform functional, installation and findings.
maintenance tests according to the piloting Correction plan.
test specification.
Collect the findings and plan the corrections.
PCB development PCB development Implement correction Implement the corrections based on the
from piloting tests piloting test reports.
Update the PCB production, installation and
maintenance documentation.
Review PCB Review the PCB production, installation and Review report with findings.
documentation for maintenance documentation with the Correction plan.
full production. respective teams.
Collect the findings and plan the corrections.
Release PCB Get formal approval from production, PCB documentation released
documentation for installation and maintenance teams to for full production.
full production. release the PCB documentation for full
production.
 4.7. SW development

WBS discipline Work package Activity Activity scope Work package deliverables
SW development SW development Implement SW beta Based on the SW specification, implement
meaningful pieces of SW to be integrated on
a SW beta and delivered for review and
tests.
Create SW prototypes to review the
implementation of interfaces with other
systems and users.
The delivery of SW betas shall follow a SW
delivery plan coordinated with the availability
of HW modules required for tests (e.g.
PCBs, electromechanical devices, other
systems, etc.).
This activity shall be repeated until the
complete SW agreed scope is delivered.
Review SW beta Review the SW implementation with the Review report with findings.
requirements and test teams as soon as Correction plan.
meaningful pieces of SW are available for
test.
This activity shalll be repeated until the
complete SW agreed scope is delivered.
Module tests SW test execution Perform module tests Perform tests according to the SW test Test report with findings.
with the SW beta. specification for the agreed scope of the SW Correction plan.
beta.
Collect the review findings and plan the
corrections.
This activity shall be repeated until the
complete SW agreed scope is tested
according the SW test specification
System tests System tests Perform system tests Provide a SW beta, selected according to System test report with
execution with the SW beta. the SW delivery plan, to be used during the findings.
tests at system level. Correction plan.
Collect the test findings and plan the
corrections.
This activity may be repeated until the
complete SW agreed scope is tested.
WBS discipline Work package Activity Activity scope Work package deliverables
SW development SW development Prepare SW for Implement the mandatory corrections and
piloting provide a SW beta or official release for
piloting.
Prepare the corresponding SW
documentation for piloting (e.g. download
and update instructions, user instructions,
etc.)
Review SW for Review SW test reports and SW Review report with findings.
piloting documentation with the production, Correction plan.
installation and maintenance teams. SW released for piloting
Collect the review findings and plan the tests.
corrections.
Release SW for Get formal approval from production, SW beta and documentation
piloting installation and maintenance teams to released for piloting.
release the SW for piloting.
System tests Piloting tests Perform piloting tests Install the SW on a real environment. Piloting test reports with
Perform installation, functional and update findings.
tests according to the piloting test Correction plan.
specification.
Collect the findings and plan the corrections.
SW development SW development Generate SW for full Implement the SW corrections based on the
production piloting test reports.
Update the SW production, installation and
maintenance documentation.
Review SW for full Review the SW changes since piloting and Review report with findings.
production. the SW documentation for production, Correction plan.
installation and maintenance with the
respective teams.
Collect the findings and plan the corrections.
Release SW for full Get formal approval from production, SW documentation released
production. installation and maintenance teams to for full production.
release the SW and the respective
documentation for full production.
 4.8. System tests

4.8.1. System tests execution

WBS discipline Work package Activity Activity scope Work package deliverables
System tests System tests Perform system tests Integrate the system modules according the System test report
execution configurations prescribed by the system
tests specification.
Perform system tests according to the
system test specification.

4.8.2. Piloting tests execution

WBS discipline Work package Activity Activity scope Work package deliverables
System tests Piloting tests Perform piloting tests On the selected pilot units, perform the tests Piloting test reports
execution at system level according to the piloting test
specification.