What Every Project Manager Needs to Know About Scheduling
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Challenge
Many project managers don't have formal training in scheduling. This gap can cause confusion, missed milestones, and project setbacks. Project managers often view schedules as merely dates or a daunting web of dependencies they must untangle without clear guidance. On this episode of the Beyond Deadlines podcast we tackle this challenge head on. We discuss how project managers can better understand and effectively use scheduling to drive project success.
Key Takeaways
Project managers usually see schedules as either simple milestones or complicated interdependencies; clear communication on schedule purpose can bridge this gap.
Quickly building an initial schedule is crucial; early scheduling identifies risks and initiates critical discussions early, avoiding bigger issues later.
Scheduling requires clearly defined expectations and deliverables; explicitly ask schedulers for detailed or summary-level schedules based on project needs.
Project managers should assemble multiple data points (quantities, milestones, commissioning tags) alongside schedules to comprehensively track progress.
Effective scheduling isn't just about software or complexity; sometimes the simplest tools (like visual boards) provide the most clarity and engagement.
Talent in scheduling significantly impacts outcomes; investing in skilled schedulers or leveraging remote specialists can notably enhance project delivery.
Tactical Takeaway
Immediately implement a simple visual tracking system for commissioning and project completion. Set up a physical board onsite showing equipment tags and milestones clearly. Move each tag from incomplete to complete as tasks finish, creating a highly visible and motivating snapshot of real-time progress that unites and aligns the entire project team.
Watch on Youtube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts
