I've heard from several industry experts that many new project managers do not know how to effectively create and manage schedules. Here are 5 tips for better control of schedules:
- It is essential to start with a well-constructed schedule.
- Track all time on a daily basis. On Friday, most people won't remember how many hours they worked on specific tasks and projects on Monday. Be sure to include unpaid overtime - it will make the historical record more accurate.
- When troubleshooting project problems, it is often better to keep on schedule than on budget due to the cost of human resources. Be sure to weigh costs vs. schedules.
- Continue to check your schedule for errors. Issues such as missing vacations and holidays, assigning people at 100% capacity, and insufficient contingency time can create schedule issues.
- Always watch critical path and near critical path tasks more closely to avoid schedule slips.
Want to learn more about how to integrate these practices into a project methodology? Check out our Micro Guide to the PROJECT Methodology.
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