Find ways to use explicit buffers to make project schedules more predictable and faster. In the past, the only way to make schedules dependable was to stretch the schedule. By applying some ideas from Critical Chain Project Management, you can make schedules both more dependable and faster.

1. © 2009 Silver Streak Partners LLC all rights reserved
Predictable Projects
in an Unpredictable World
John Farnbach
Silver Streak Partners LLC
john@silverstreakpartners.com
Dynamic Resource Management

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The Orthodoxy of the Plan
Plan your work and
Work your plan

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Orchestrates task interactions well...
Deterministic Planning
… But planning can’t eliminate variance.

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Cost of Predictability
Predictability
Variance
Inflexibility

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Variance
A
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B
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B
C
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B
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B
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Deterministic planning doesn’t work
in an unpredictable world.

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Wait a Minute!!
Shorter and more dependable??
Schedule stretch
Dependable
Deterministic
DRM

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Dynamic Resource Mangement
Explicit schedule buffers

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Project Management
Tasks: reasonable best case
All will not complete on time
Buffers: critical resource
Track buffer consumption
Strive to save buffers, but use when neededStrive to save buffers, but use when needed

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Resource Tracking
Rebalance
Gold
Blue
New
Project
%Buffer/schedule

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DRM makes schedules shorter and
more predictable.
How do you plan a DRM project?

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Measurable Tasks
Underestimate effort
Status biased by hope
Realistic estimates
Unbiased status

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Placing Buffers
Fewer is better
Statistical aggregation
Less confusion
Multiple buffers?
Buffer external deliverables
Specific risks

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Sizing Buffers
Resource
management
Project priority
Business forecast
Project & planning
Technical risk
Planning variance

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DRM takes careful attention to planning
What are the problems?

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Multi-Tasking
Multi-tasking
Uni-tasking
Amy?
Gold
Blue

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Pitfalls
Buffer addiction
Plan responsibly
Old management habits
New performance model
Respect for buffers
Squandering buffers
Resist unmerited work

18. Silver Streak Partners LLC
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John Farnbach
john@silverstreakpartners.com
Silver Streak Partners LLC
www.silverstreakpartners.com
Blog: http://silverstreakpartners.com/BetterNPD/
Questions & Discussion