In truth the art of scheduling a Project is based on experience and the more experience you have, the more
accurate your schedule will be.
However, by following some simple rules you can still produce an accurate schedule.
Rule #1 - Don't commit to something you can’t Deliver
Scheduling is one part prediction and one part expectation management. If you are pressured into picking a date “on-the-fly” at a random meeting you can bet that the date will not only be wrong, it will come back to haunt you.
Rule #2 - Eliminate uncertainty wherever you can
The more specific you can be in your project planning, the more accurate your schedule will be. If you leave functionality or other items unspecified in your plan, then you will, at best, only be able to approximate them in the schedule. Don’t go overboard, though, there is a balance. If you are spending time adding detail to tasks which will have no impact on the project delivery date, then you are probably wasting your time.
Rule #3 - Build in plenty of contingency to cope with variation
No matter how well specified your project and how accurate your schedule, there will be the inevitable random influences that will wreck your carefully crafted schedule. People get sick, equipment fails and external factors join together in a conspiracy to see that you miss your target date. In order to buy yourself some insurance you should build in an adequate amount of contingency, so that you can cope with unexpected delays.
Rule #4 - Pick the right level of granularity
When drawing up your schedule it is important to pick the right level of detail. If you are going to require daily updates from your team then it makes sense to break into day-by-day chunks. That way everybody has the same understanding of what must be achieved by when.
On the other hand if your project has large portions of time devoted to similar activities, testing for example, then it may be better to simply block-schedule one or two months of testing. Maybe you can leave the details up to your team, it all depends on the level of control you want.
Rule #5 - Schedule for the unexpected
Project management is the art of handling the unknown.
Often events and circumstances you could not have foreseen will interrupt the flow of your project. It’s your job to take them all in your stride. Schedule for the most likely delays and cope with them should they arise. If experience or instinct tells you that a certain type of task will overrun, then anticipate it, pad it with some
contingency and make sure you have adequate resources on hand when it comes up.
ReplyDeleteTag: PM201A55. Let me share all of you about #5 Tips for Project Management Success,, I hope you enjoy it
1. Plan your day using time management techniques
As a project manager, time management skills are essential because you are dealing with a wide range of tasks that demand a quick turnaround time. Planning your day will go a long way in keeping you organized and increasing your productivity. Assist your task planning by using project management software which helps you track the work of you and your team.
If you are not very tech savvy, a simple to-do list can also be a great organizational tool. Prioritize your most important tasks by putting them at the top of the list and less important ones at the bottom. Having a visual plan of your daily tasks helps to keep you on track and aware of time.
Related post: Free ebook 104 secrets to become a great project manager
2. Include stakeholders in important project conversations
While you will have plenty of responsibilities regarding the project, don’t neglect your clients.
Good communication is essential is keeping both parties informed of project progression, curtailing scope creep, and apprised of changing requirements. Some clients may have different expectations when it comes to communication, so make sure to establish the frequency and type of communication (like emails, phone calls, and face-to-face conversations) at the beginning of your project.
Establishing communication expectations early helps alleviate stakeholder uncertainty about communication frequency and delivery.
3. Regularly communicate with your team
Daily team communication helps keep misunderstandings and unclear requirements under control. Keeping your team informed in every step of the project is essential to project management success.
For example, a study published by Procedia Technology found that good communication skills were the cornerstone of project management. The study examined over 300 “construction project managers, architects, construction managers, engineers and quantity surveyors” and their successes and failures on various construction projects.
4. Anticipate project setbacks
Even the best-laid plans often go awry.
Remember that even with a high amount of planning and attention to detail, your project may still encounter some challenges. Pay attention to complaints from stakeholders or colleagues, and other warning signs, like a missed deadline or cost overrun, that there may be a problem.
Preventing a crisis will keep your project running smoothly, save you a lot of time, and keep you, your team, and your stakeholders confident in progressing with the project.
Unfortunately not every complication can be avoided. Crisis management skills are essential for dealing with the unexpected. Project managers need to be flexible and pragmatic. Improvise and make sharp decisions when needed.
Related post: 92 free project management templates
5. Stay focused on the details
A common problem project managers encounter is having the project aims not aligned with the organization’s objectives. A great project manager will strategize a plan for the project to lead back to the overall success of the business.
Know your project’s scope by heart and avoid wandering outside of the project’s requirements. It’s too easy to get lost in minor details and forget what your focus is, so a well-planned project scope is essential for success.
And final, you should use KPI to measure effectiveness of the project, here are full list: 76 project management KPIs
The principles of project scheduling are the foundational elements that guide the creation and management of a project schedule. These principles ensure the schedule is realistic, achievable, and adaptable to changes throughout the project lifecycle. Here are some key principles of project scheduling:
Delete1. Define Scope Before Scheduling:
A well-defined project scope, outlining the deliverables and functionalities, is the foundation for creating an accurate schedule.
Without a clear understanding of what needs to be accomplished, it's impossible to accurately estimate the time and resources required.
2. Break Down Work into Manageable Tasks:
Large, complex projects become overwhelming when viewed as a whole. Breaking down the project scope into smaller, more manageable tasks allows for:
Improved Estimation: Estimating the time and resources needed for smaller tasks is more accurate.
Clearer Task Ownership: Assigning ownership for specific tasks improves accountability and tracking of progress.
Increased Flexibility: The schedule can be adjusted by modifying individual tasks rather than overhauling the entire plan.
3. Sequence Tasks Logically:
Identify dependencies between tasks. Some tasks can only start after others are completed (e.g., building a foundation before constructing walls).
Sequencing tasks logically ensures a smooth workflow and avoids delays caused by waiting on unfinished prerequisite tasks.
Final Year Project Centers in Chennai
final year projects for computer science
IEEE projects for cse
Some simple Principles of project Scheduling
ReplyDeleteCompartmentalization
Interdependency
Time allocation
Effort allocation
Effort validation
Defined responsibilities
Defined outcomes
Defined milestones
Letter of Recommendation
Hi,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this useful information on your blog and i follow your blog regularly to find out new content related to Project management.
best construction scheduling software
I have this question on my assignment.Explain how team cohessiveness and spirit impacts on team output and image:
ReplyDeleteI wish to indicate because of you only to bail me out of this specific trouble.As a consequence of checking through the net and meeting systems that were not beneficial, I thought my life was finished.
ReplyDeleteProject Management Apps
the points give for producing the schedule are totally correct if we talk about or in regards to project management assignment writing because you need to understand a lot many clause and then produce its assignment.
ReplyDelete