A well-constructed and meticulously monitored schedule is the backbone of any successful construction project. As a PMI CP professional, understanding scheduling techniques and control methods is vital for ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget.
Schedule Development:
- Work Breakdown Structure (WBS): The foundation for a detailed schedule is a robust WBS. This hierarchical breakdown of project deliverables into manageable work packages forms the basis for estimating durations and assigning resources.
- Activity Sequencing: Define the logical relationships between project activities. Identify dependencies (e.g., Activity B cannot start until Activity A is completed) and create a network diagram that reflects these relationships.
- Activity Duration Estimation: Estimate the time required to complete each activity in the WBS. Consider historical data, resource availability, and industry standards when making these estimations.
- Scheduling Techniques: Popular scheduling techniques used in construction include:
- Critical Path Method (CPM): Identifies the longest sequence of critical activities that determines project completion time. Delays in any critical activity directly impact the overall project schedule.
- Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT): Accounts for uncertainty in activity durations by assigning probabilistic estimates (optimistic, most likely, pessimistic) and calculating the expected duration.
Schedule Monitoring & Control:
- Earned Value Management (EVM): A key technique for monitoring project progress and identifying potential schedule deviations. EVM compares the value of completed work (Earned Value) to the planned value (Budget Cost of Work Scheduled) and the actual cost incurred (Actual Cost of Work Performed). Deviations from planned values indicate potential schedule or cost issues that require corrective action.
- Performance Measurement: Regularly track progress against the baseline schedule. Utilize tools like Gantt charts and progress reports to visualize variances and identify areas needing adjustments.
- Schedule Control Techniques: When deviations arise, various techniques can be implemented to get the project back on track:
- Crashing: Expediting critical activities by adding resources (often increasing costs).
- Fast-Tracking: Overlapping activities that are not dependent on each other, potentially compressing the schedule but requiring careful planning to avoid resource conflicts.
- Leveling Resources: Distributing resources more evenly across activities to avoid overallocating and potentially delaying some tasks.
PMI CP’s Role in Scheduling:
- Develop and Maintain the Schedule: PMI CPs participate in creating a realistic and achievable project schedule using appropriate techniques.
- Communicate the Schedule: Effectively communicate the schedule to all project stakeholders, ensuring everyone understands project timelines and dependencies.
- Monitor Schedule Performance: Regularly track progress against the baseline schedule, identify deviations, and communicate potential delays to stakeholders.
- Implement Control Measures: When deviations occur, PMI CPs work with the project team to develop and implement appropriate schedule control techniques to get the project back on track.
Additional Considerations:
- Risk Management: Consider potential risks that could impact the schedule during development and actively manage these risks throughout the project life cycle.
- Stakeholder Management: Maintain open communication with stakeholders regarding schedule updates, potential delays, and planned mitigation strategies.
- Schedule Software: Utilize project management software tools to develop, monitor, and communicate project schedules effectively.
By mastering these scheduling techniques and control methods, PMI CPs can significantly contribute to successful project delivery by ensuring projects are completed on time and minimize schedule-related risks.
