A schedule management plan is an important input to schedule control and can be used as a guide for your entire project. Project managers use a schedule management plan:
- to summarize how schedule changes will be managed
- to direct the management team on change processes
- to ensure that WBS responsibility assignments are controlled
- to make schedule changes traceable
One of the primary reasons for using schedule management plans is to determine how to manage schedule variances. During the project's planning stage, companies determine the acceptable range of variance from the schedule plan. The allowable deviation may be dependent on factors such as a project's life-cycle and accuracy of the original estimate.
For true variances to be realized, input from the risk, scope, quality, and cost control processes are essential. Once the information is incorporated into the plan, it is important to continually track "actual" against "planned" progress.
When it comes to decisions about how variances should be managed, there are four basic options to choose from:
- Dismissal - Dismissing the variance is appropriate when the variance is within the allowable range as stated in the schedule management plan. In this case, no corrective action is required, so the variance can be dismissed.
- Functional modification - Functional modification is called for when the variance is small and within the allowable range, but has the potential to become more problematic in the future.
- Replanning - Replanning is required if the variance is large enough to fall outside the allowable range. Replanning involves reviewing project requirements and redefining project goals. In replanning, less critical activities may be sacrificed to meet time and budget constraints.
- Redesign product - Redesigning the product is required if the variance is way out of range. This is the worst case scenario. In this case, the product description will need to be reconfigured which may result in lower grade performance.
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Tag: PM201A57. 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
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