Guild of Project Controls: Compendium | Roles | Assessment | Certifications | Membership

Tips on using this forum..

(1) Explain your problem, don't simply post "This isn't working". What were you doing when you faced the problem? What have you tried to resolve - did you look for a solution using "Search" ? Has it happened just once or several times?

(2) It's also good to get feedback when a solution is found, return to the original post to explain how it was resolved so that more people can also use the results.

Building better project plans

5 replies [Last post]
James gray
User offline. Last seen 19 years 51 weeks ago. Offline
Joined: 1 May 2004
Posts: 3
Groups: None
Hello,
My specific area of interest is how to build a project plan using a Gantt chart in such a way that its update during the project is as simple as possible, thus, less time consuming.

And here’s the question: Based on your experience and assuming that you are using common practice techniques to build your project plan.

1. How complicated is the process of updating your schedule? (1 - very easy, 6 - very complicated)
2. Do you feel that if updating the schedule were simpler it would allow you to function better due to the benefits of an updated schedule? (1 - Absolutely, 6 - Not at all)

Thanks.

Replies

razif r
User offline. Last seen 19 years 46 weeks ago. Offline
Joined: 11 May 2004
Posts: 18
Groups: None
Hi James...

The answer needed:

1. 1
2. 6

Peace
Rahmat Hidayat
User offline. Last seen 27 weeks 6 days ago. Offline
Joined: 30 Jul 2002
Posts: 82
Below are my answers:

1. How complicated is the process of updating your schedule? (1 - very easy, 6 - very complicated)
Answer = 2

2. Do you feel that if updating the schedule were simpler it would allow you to function better due to the benefits of an updated schedule? (1 - Absolutely, 6 - Not at all)
Answer = 1.

To simplify your recording or updating process, just develop delegation and integrated system to your sub-ordinates (say subcontractors), thus, we spend most of our time to review and analyze the schedule.
Shahzad Munawar
User offline. Last seen 8 years 50 weeks ago. Offline
Joined: 2 Jul 2003
Posts: 551
Groups: None
I agree with Jay that no project can run smoothly without any impediments and hurdles. In each project there are complications which surely effect on updating the schedules so it is not easy job that you just put % completion and get required status. A good Planner has to also analyzed progress affected factors during updating the schedules which also help him for EOT.

Forum Guest
User offline. Last seen 2 years 27 weeks ago. Offline
Joined: 28 Jan 2009
Posts: 1
Groups: None
James,

1. How complicated is the process of updating your schedule? (1 - very easy, 6 - very complicated)

Using common or uncommon practice techiques, the process of updating your schedule is either a 1 or a 6. This is kinda difficult question to answer.
Let’s assume that your project proceeds exactly as you had planned it on your schedule (which is the Utopian ideal, never happens !!!). Then your update will be painless and effortless and that’s a 1 on your scale.
However, on the other hand when you experience delays like RFI’s not being answered on time, Submittals not being turned around on time, MEP conflicts, design issues, Owner related delays, etc., etc., slippages of activities due to faults of your own, then you have to (A) show fragnets for delays (RFI’s, Submittals, Design,etc.) and (B) revise logic to bring back the end date to the Contractual End Date. In this case your update will be a 6 on your scale.


2. Do you feel that if updating the schedule were simpler it would allow you to function better due to the benefits of an updated schedule? (1 - Absolutely, 6 - Not at all)

Sure if updating were simpler and without any problems, it would make any Scheduler’s job a dream, but unfortunately it is not. There are almost always circumstances out there that prevent you from having a perfect project. This is the difference between Planned and Actual.


I hope this helps.


Jay
MK TSE
User offline. Last seen 3 years 46 weeks ago. Offline
Joined: 27 Feb 2002
Posts: 550
Groups: None
They are case depends.