BUS605: Strategic Project Management

After reading this lesson, you will be able to

• Discuss issues related to moving from the planning phase of a project to the scheduling phase
• Define terms related to scheduling
• List the scheduling methods most closely associated with geometric and living orders
• Explain concepts related to the critical path method, including potential pitfalls and techniques for schedule compression
• Explain concepts and techniques related to pull scheduling
• Describe ways to integrate pull thinking with the critical path method
• Discuss the importance of project milestones

• A project schedule is a shared time map for successful completion of the project. Depending on what constitutes "success" for the project, the schedule may include several hard deadlines and be highly constrained, or may be completely flexible and unconstrained.
• Scheduling is a phase of project management that necessarily blends geometric and living order, often combining the predictability of critical path techniques with the agility offered by pull scheduling.
• Because a schedule is a communication and thinking tool, the level of detail with which it is prepared and communicated should be tailored for the needs of the project and team members.
• The critical path method ­– the consummate geometric, push tool ­– is essential for identifying activities that determine the expected duration of a complex project. However, an excessive focus on critical path analysis during project execution can divert needed attention and energy from pull-focused project delivery.