How to Develop a Robust Schedule

Abstract

Now that I’ve convinced you that a project plan is much more than a project schedule and that it’s a lot of hard work, let’s talk about just how you go about building a robust, dynamic schedule. This is the planning activity that becomes the core of your project plans so you really must invest the time to get it done and get it done right. Many PMs hate developing a schedule because it seems like a no-win proposition. No matter how much work you put into it, your sponsor’s gonna tell you to either (a) grow up and face reality or, more likely, (b) sharpen your pencils and do better. Well, before you can face “reality” or even sharpen anything, you’ve got to know what you have to work with. So, let’s start with just how you really go about developing a dynamic schedule. Oh, and for all you folks who think you’ve got this? I really encourage you to read the first section, especially if you think your problem with schedules lies with the tools used to develop them!