Project Management - Scheduling Projects made Easy
Complex projects require sophisticated software and scheduling
tools, however simpler and more straightforward projects
involving only a few people over a relatively short period of
time require a much simpler approach.
Usually, a simple project will have a few steps which are
dependent on other steps taking place first, and will be
relatively straightforward to coordinate. An example might be
creating and implementing a marketing plan for a one person
business, painting a single room, baking a cake, planning a
weekend away for two, building a garden shed etc.
With simple projects, a tool such as a Gantt chart may make over
complicate the project scheduling. Unless all team members are
trained in the tool then the use of the tool may itself lead to
poor communication and an unsatisfactory result.
A simple project such as those identified above may only require
a timetable and/or an action plan. All those in the project team
should be communicated with as to their tasks content and
timing. Timetables can then be negotiated and agreed, actions
lists or diaries/calendars can be used for recording and
planning purposes.
All projects have control points and required deadlines, where
progress is monitored and measured. In the event that a deadline
is missed then the overall impact on project completion time can
be assessed, and if necessary new timetables drawn up,
re-negotiated and agreed.
Action Plans are lists of tasks/individual actions that are
carried out to achieve a single and objective or outcome - in
this case, the specific project. Action Plans focus on the
achievement of a single goal, the action may then be translated
in to a to-do list/diary cum calendar which cover many goals.