Project management requires vigilance of tasks that need to be accomplished and delegation of duties to those responsible and managing their progress throughout the entire activity. Project management requires skills such as scheduling and management tools such as the resource calendar to ensure the scheme is completed in the most viable way in line with the intended objectives.
Question 1
A breakdown structure is an instrument in project management that allows for the prediction of possible outcomes based on a myriad of scenarios. This capacity is essential in allowing for optimal decision making. By visually defining what has to be accomplished, the breakdown structure ensures that a project is broken down into various manageable chunks. Its development involves the identification of the major goal of the project followed by subdivision into smaller and easily attainable ones.
Question2
A resources calendar is an essential tool when it comes to the estimation of effort, sequence and duration of a task. It allows for the depiction of the actual quantities and types and availability of each and every resource that has to be considered during the process of time estimation. A resource calendar captures the capability of each resource and the skills required for the accomplishment of each task thus creating the basis for estimating effort, time and sequence of tasks.
Question 3
Scheduling tools and techniques allow for project managers to come up with the project schedule and also be able to monitor and evaluate them. However, these techniques can also come in handy in predicting possible impacts of the schedule. Scheduling techniques allow for comprehensive outline to be made regarding various tasks to be accomplished during the lifecycle of a project. While the event is likely not to result in schedule impacts, the scheduling techniques which incorporate monitoring, evaluation, growth and change dynamics create a foundation for identify those events that can impact the schedule.
Question 4
A schedule baseline can be defined as the foundational schedule for a given project which is used for determining the progress of a project. Ideally, the baseline schedule allows for evaluations to be made between the actual progress of a project against the planned progress and thereby allow for interventions and alterations to be made if necessary.
Question 5
There are various tools and techniques that can be employed to gauge the progress and record activities to evaluate whether the progress is within the intended time frame. Such techniques include communication and the Gannt chart. Communication techniques are relevant factors that affect control of time in schemes. Gantt charts are other complimentary tools employed to ensure schemes are completed within the accorded time frame. They are deployed to display calendar time tasks allocations in days or weeks. These charts are the most ideal and appropriate for gauging progress of those tasks.
Question 6
Schedule baseline variances can be identified by comparing the approved timetable and the present progress of the project. A positive variance indicated that progress made is ahead of the schedule while negative variances are an indicator that the project is behind schedule.
Question 7
When scheme schedules are altered or amended, there are consequences to expect on the entire project. For instance, when a negative variance is established, it may require more resources regarding human resources and overtime working periods so as to catch up with the approved scheme timetable. Positive variance on the schedule gives more ample time for thoroughness towards the accomplishment of objectives. Additionally, it may cause a revision of already accomplished tasks to check for faults.
Question 8
Evaluation of the project’s progress is vital to gauge whether all relevant factors are in line with the time schedule and adjustments can be executed where need be. There are methods to monitor progress such as the Gantt chart that monitor resources used and the duration spent in accomplishing tasks. Communication with the parties that are concerned is also another way to determine how far the project is from completion. Open communication mediums are also another way to implement changes in the schedule. Reallocation is also another way one can execute adjustments in the scheme.
Question 9
Different changes to the schedule demand different response mechanisms to handle with relevance to the project’s objectives. Communication to the affected stakeholders is important to ensure that they are aware of alterations being made. A delegation of duties should be revised when alterations are made in the time restraints. It may also demand financial variances hence the concerned stakeholders need to be consulted before changes are executed.
Question 10
Question 11
Time control mechanisms have shortcomings that can be avoided through strategies such as delegation of responsibilities. Of them all, procrastination is the most deadly. The remedy for postponing is a prior arrangement of tasks to complete within limits and delegation of duties so that each unit has to finish the assignment accorded to them. Multitasking is another limitation that leads to negative variances in the schedule. This challenge can be tackled through assigning specific duties to workers so that each one works towards one similar objective. Failure to plan before launching the projects also attributes to poor time management. It is, therefore, necessary to describe activities and strategize long before the project sets off.
In conclusion, it is of necessity to apply appropriate tools and mechanisms to ensure that projects are completed within the duration allocated to achieve the desired scheme objectives. Tools such as the calendar and techniques such as estimation have proven reliable to manage project time.
