A project is often composed of several relatively independent task chains. For example, a project to develop a new PC product needs to have different sub-project systems such as applications, chassis, and motherboards. An ERP development project needs to have financial and materials. , human resources and other different subsystem projects, therefore, the cooperation between the various chains is directly related to the progress of the entire project. The famous "cask theory" can be used here, that is, the project with the slowest progress will be the entire project. A representation of the progress of the project. Using a systematic, networked management approach, the entire project schedule can be optimized.
A common method for optimizing the progress of the system is the critical path method. The project is composed of various tasks, and each task has an earliest and latest start time and end time. If the earliest and latest time of a task are the same, it means It is a key task. The key task links on a series of different task chains become the critical path of the project. The critical path is the main contradiction of the entire project and the key to ensuring that the project can be completed on time.
In a word, network planning technology is a scientific and effective management method, and is the theoretical basis of project schedule control, especially the complete planning management responsible for project schedule control.
Online: Milestones
As mentioned earlier, any project is composed of several relatively independent task chains. Only when any chain has been optimized can the system be optimized. Therefore, the efficiency of each task chain is guaranteed to be The premise and basis for the optimization of the entire project schedule.
In general, you can use the method of setting "milestone events" to ensure the optimality of individual task chains.
The so-called "milestone event" is often a task with zero time requirements, that is to say, it is not a task to be actually completed, but a symbolic event, such as "alpha testing" in a software development project, "Testing" is a subtask, and "writing a test report" is also a subtask, but "completing the alpha test report" may not be a subtask that really needs to be completed, but when making plans and tracking plans, A subtask of "Complete alpha test report" is often added, but the duration is often set to "0 working days", the purpose is to check this time point, which is a sign of the end of the entire task of "alpha test".
The purpose of "milestone events" is to mark a procedural task with a conclusive sign, so that the task has a clear starting and ending point. This series of starting and ending points becomes the "milestone" that guides the progress of the entire project.
In the process of project management progress tracking, giving enough attention to milestone events can often achieve multiplier effects with half the effort. As long as the milestone events can be completed on time, the progress of the entire project will be guaranteed.
Implementation Assurance
Based on my knowledge and understanding of the status quo of schedule management in Chinese IT enterprises, the author believes that paying attention to the following aspects will ensure the effectiveness of schedule management:
(1) Strengthen the management of supplier project progress
This is based on the fact that IT companies need multi-party cooperation. The project progress of the enterprise and each supplier is unified, which will ensure the progress of the enterprise project. The current status quo is that most companies have strong management of their internal project teams, and it is difficult to guarantee the project progress of outsourced companies. The progress is written into the contract, or has the same effect as the contract as an appendix, and the responsibility for breach of contract is clearly defined. Only in this way can the framework for managing the project with network planning technology be fundamentally established.
In the process of the project, it is necessary to establish a mechanism to ensure the communication and coordination between the supplier and the team in the enterprise to ensure the consistency of the progress; at the end of the project, the acceptance criteria (time, quality, etc. ) is also the part that needs attention.
(2) Focus on weak links and achieve dynamic balance
Project progress management is not a static process. The implementation of the project and the project plan are also interactive. In the process of project progress management, continuous scheduling and coordination are required to ensure the balanced development of the project and achieve the overall dynamic balance of the project.
Schedule management is an art. In terms of resource supply, according to the resource supply plan, the supply of resources is organized in real time to ensure that the links in the project that most need resource support can obtain resources in time.
The critical path of the project is always the most concerned by the project leader, but with the implementation of the project, the critical path may change due to some situations, and the delay of the project may cause the tasks that were not originally on the critical path to become the only way of the critical path. Therefore, Team members need to keep an eye on the progress of the project, track the latest plan of the project, and ensure the progress of tasks on the critical path in real time.
(3) Clarify the responsibilities of each member
For relatively independent key task groups in the project, special contracting methods can be used to set up sub-projects. To understand a little more, it is to set tasks, personnel, and goals, further clarify responsibilities, and ensure the progress of key tasks.
In a general sense, various responsibility systems of the project organization should be established according to the characteristics of the project, the completion of the progress plan indicators should be combined with the distribution of interests of departments, units and individuals, and the integration of responsibility and rights should be achieved. It is more important than technology", Wu Jinglian's words are indeed not without reason.