6 project management realistic scheduling and accurate estimating

Realistic Scheduling and

accurate estimating

Copyright © RLabs 2013

Project Scheduling.pptx


Scheduling is the fundamental

element of any project.


Realistic Scheduling


Gantt Chart

Technique: Focuses on Schedule

Management

Representing the phases and activities of a

project work breakdown structure (WBS)

Great tool for managing smaller projects

Does not give you a holistic view of a project

magnitude.


• A realistic schedule takes into consideration

all the objectives of the project .

• Each planning step relies on the one

preceding it, and each adds a new element

to the plan .



Recap of the steps involved in

planning a project

1. Create the project definition

2. Develop a risk management strategy.

3. Build a work breakdown structure .

4. Identify tasks relationships .

5. Estimate work packages.

6. Calculate initial schedule.

7. Assign and level resources.


These steps generate all the information

required to understand how a project will be

executed. The steps are systematic, but they

don't necessarily come up with the 'right

answer'.



Milestones

Milestones have zero duration, so adding them

to a project doesn't affect the schedule at all.

1. Project start and finish milestones are useful

anchor for the network.

2. Milestones can be used to mark input from one

party to one another.

3. A milestone can represent significant events that

aren't already represented by a work package or

summary.


1. Idea evaluation or "ball park estimate"

2. Project selection or order of magnitude

3. Detailed estimate

3 Levels of Accuracy



Estimating techniques

1. Phased estimating

2. Apportioning

3. Parametric estimates

4. Bottom- up estimating


Technology

6 project management realistic scheduling and accurate estimating