Speaking idea of project management, many well-known is probably the triple constraints of project management - quality, time and cost. Of course, every manager can hope that their project is good quality, low cost and less time spent, however, is often unsatisfactory, you must choose one of them as the other two quantitative variables to ensure that in order to ensure the largest possible project Interests.
Just when small series has been to make the triple constraints of project management planning, we read another idea, which is the fourth heavy constraints - range. This view from James Lewis' project plan, schedule and control "this book, the book author that" the scope of the specification or task related to three other constraints ", so the scope of project management as a fourth weight constraints, and compared to other factors, changes in the scope of extended and more easily lead to budget overruns of the project.
The four heavy constraint that is PCTS idea, first explain it in detail PCTS meanings:
P-- project quality in terms of technical and functional requirements
Project labor costs required C--
T-- project planning time
The scope and scale of the project S--
Dr. Lewis used a mathematical function expression to express the relationship between the four:
“C=f（P,T,S）”
That means the quality of cost, a function of time and range.
Another expression is to express the triangular relationship between the PCTS, as shown below:
Source: "project plan, schedule and control" James Lewis
That can be determined by the value of the other three fourth the size of the value, which is the same that you can not arbitrarily decide four factors, can only choose three, the fourth by three factors determined by you and the fourth of the link between the decision.
Four factors determine all want the same time when a lot of people started doing project management, often leads to the project can not achieve even greater benefits directly failed. Time limit may be unable to deliver the results, it may be scope or scale of the project cost has not yet completed the run out, or the need to implement the project can not be achieved, resulting in short project times and the expected results do not match.
So started a project planning time, it should do the planning constraints according to these types. In general, as the project manager may first determine P, T, S, and C calculated cost, the cost to see if the range can withstand, if not within the tolerance range, then other factors based on the maximum cost of the tolerance range reduce. Normally we would go through to achieve the purpose of downsizing or extension of time, because the quality of a project is necessary to ensure that the basic, the quality of the cut is not accepted by the public.
Project planning done under PCTS philosophy always fit the actual can help project managers to do project planning this important matter before the start of the project, for the progress of the project after to have more precise control to lay a good foundation . Like to build a house, a solid foundation is the fundamental good of the house, let the house tool materials are quality function more perfect location.
So, if you want to be a good project manager, with the idea of PCTS might lay the foundation for the project, supplemented by good project management software can be more convenient to have a good project schedule control, and finally let your project team to bring the greatest benefits.
Source: tita.com