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  • What could Covid-19 Crisis teach us about Project Scheduling?

    • July 11, 2020
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    • "project scheduling" "project" Project Management

    What could Covid-19 Crisis teach us about Project Scheduling?

    For sure, COVID-19 has changed the world – the way we look at people, work, and life in general.

    What does this mean to you as professionals?

    Irrespective of the nature of work you perform, and more so, if you are working on projects, your leaders’ expectations have changed significantly.

    If you are still wondering…read on!

    First up isBreaking Down Your Big Work!

    Are you overwhelmed by the size of your work?  Do you wish if there was a way to simplify your Big Work?  Would that make you feel comfortable?

    Second…Work Prioritization!

    As you juggle between multiple deliverables on your projects, do you feel that you are in control?  Or, are you being controlled?  As a project professional, how do you prioritize the deliverables on your plate?  Or, are you picking up work in an ad hoc manner?  Remember that some of your deliverables are time-sensitive while some are not!  Here’s a clue – not every deliverable needs to start/finish as originally thought!! I am sure you were stumped by that statement – it is true!  But, how to figure this out?

    Third…Optimizing Resources!

    For sure, this must be hair rising!  You are expected to increase resource utilization and balance workload.  How do you manage delivery against stiff timelines and yet keeping your team members satisfied as much as possible?

    Fourth…Your Commitment!

    How comfortable are you to commit to your leaders – on timelines, resources, and cost?  What is your level of transparency and confidence about timelines, resources, and the associated cost…that you are about to commit?  What if external factors necessitate that you modify your commitments?

    Fifth…Monitoring/Controlling!

    Plans are useless unless their execution is not proactively and closely monitored.  Remember that you may need to change your plans if the results are not to your liking.  What does monitoring really mean?  How to monitor against your commitments?  What corrective or preventive actions are needed?

    Sixth…Reporting!

    Don’t expect that your leaders would automatically know the status of your performance!  It is your job to communicate and let them know about your deliverables and how good they are!  This is what drives your increments and promotions!

    Go back and slowly read each of the six points mentioned above and ask yourself an all-important question –

    “How confident do I feel about the way I am contributing to projects?” 

    Remember –

    • You are no longer working on ‘Business as Usual (BAU)’ assignments.  They have become mission critical!
    • Companies are struggling and business survival is at stake. 
    • Every hour that you spend at work has to ‘add value’!

    So, how should you manage projects that makes you be “In Control” rather than “Being Controlled”?

    Welcome to Microsoft Project!

    While there are many project management software available, Microsoft Project takes the cake for some obvious reasons –

    • Very easy User Interface
    • Unmatched Functionality and Features
    • Flexible
    • Quickly ‘Learnable’ (if learned the right way and from the right Coach 😊)
    • Even Better to Implement!

    Do you need a better solution to top-class Project Scheduling in this Covid-19 Crisis?


    About Author :

    Srikanth PV comes with two decades of global corporate and consulting background across industries with diverse roles including Strategy, Leadership, and Management. Currently, he focuses on driving and creating customer value by building and enhancing organizational portfolio, program, and project management maturity by his impactful consulting and coaching engagements. He is also a former member of the Board of Directors of PMI Bangalore Chapter. View his detailed profile on LinkedIn at  https://in.linkedin.com/in/srikanthpvpmp