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The
Project Group, LLC
We
specialize in assisting corporate and government clients in learning to
improve their productivity while planning and executing projects.
Our three-phase approach yields faster, more efficient project initiation,
planning and execution results.
Attend the Scaramento Project
Management Nuts and Bolts© Course May 20 -
21, 2003
Our two-day course
covers the processes of Project Management.
Audience: Managers tasked with small to medium-sized projects
Covers best practices of:
· Initiation -- Project
Objective Statements, Project Chartering, Project Organization
· Project Planning --
Work Breakdown
Structure, Task Estimating, Resource Planning, Structured Risk Management
· Leadership &
communication issues underlying good team-building
Bring your own projects to work on as exercises!
Attend the Scaramento Microsoft ProjectTM In
One-Day© Course May 22, 2003
Learning this
popular software tool can be very daunting! It's very helpful to have
someone to help you understand which of the myriad features you'll probably
never use so you can focus on the ones you'll use all the time.
After years of teaching Ms-Project and applying it in the field, Roger Kent
created this class to focus on the basics needed to build a task-based plan.
It is delivered in a combination lecture, 'follow me' through the software
and individual challenge exercises.
Unless you are familiar with best-practice planning models, we recommend
you take Project Management Nuts and Bolts first. Most of us learned word
processing because we understood the model it was based on: a lined piece
of paper with top, bottom, left and right margins. People have difficulty
learning Ms-Project because they're not clear on the planning processes
that form its underlying model. Project Management Nuts and Bolts is the
ideal preparation for Ms-Project.
To
Learn More Or To Enroll In A Class Click Here
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Greetings,
Each
month our newsletter delves into a specific step in the phases of
Initiation, Planning and Execution of projects. Our methodology is
applicable to any project in any industry. Our systematic approach to
Project Management is designed to help your company's projects gain
traction quickly, communicate clearly to all
parties and keep them on track to reach a successful conclusion.
We facilitate workshops that jump-start your teams, making sure they know
what they are going to do and validating they have the time and resources
with which to do it.
This newsletter focuses on Process 7:
Setting The Schedule
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· Setting A Project Schedule
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 A Gantt Chart
depicts tasks graphically on a fixed calendar. It also can show tasks and
their sequence in relation to other tasks.
Wait
until you have achieved clarity about all tasks and their dependencies
before you create a Gantt Chart. (See our January 2003 newsletter article
on Dependency Diagrams.)
To View A Gantt Chart Click Here
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· Dependency Types
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Dependencies, representing task logic, may be classified as
Hard or Soft. In a hard dependency, for example, you would have to create
a cement form, before pouring the concrete. With a Soft dependency, the
order of tasks may be altered at your discretion. In the morning you may
have your coffee before or after your shower. Their logical progession is flexible.
You can link tasks in three ways:
- Finish to Start
- Start to Start
- Finish to Finish.
Finish
to Start is by far the most frequently used dependency. Task A must
finish before Task B can begin. You must paint a primary coat on the wall
before you apply a finish coat.
In a Start to Start the
beginning of the successor task is dependent on the beginning of the
predecessor task. You want to start warming up the oven when you begin
mixing the cake.
The Finish to Finish
dependency is sometimes called the "Cook's Dilemma". The finish
of the predecessor drives the finish of the successor. Two or more tasks
must complete at the same time. You want the turkey to finish cooking at
the same time as the sweet potatoes and the vegetables are done so they
call can be served together.
Click Here to See How Microsoft Project
Displays a Critical Path
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· Previous Newsletters
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To View Previous Newsletters
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· Who Was Henry
Gantt?
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 Henry Gantt
stands out in history for his development of the Gantt Chart and his
influence on modern day management. Born in 1861 in Calvert County
Maryland, Gantt led an active life as an industrial engineer and
consultant. He worked directly with Frederick W. Taylor for a number of
years and in 1917 invented the Gantt chart, a horizontal bar chart that
was an innovative way to manage overlapping tasks. Useful for
coordinating and scheduling, the Gantt chart was a revolutionary
development and was based on time rather than quantity, volume or weight.
Henry Gantt also played a significant role in management history as one
of the early few who recognized the importance of motivation, a psychological
phenomenon, in the work place. He focused on reward systems, where he
would reinforce good work instead of penalizing poor work. A pioneer for
this management approach, Gantt initiated a new way of relating to
workers and emphasized good leadership on the part of management. Gantt
recognized the importance of treating the employee well, and instituted
minimum wages and pay incentives for his employees. 1
Henry Gantts contribution to the management process is honored today
through the The Henry Laurence Gantt Medal.
Established in 1929, the award is given for distinguished achievement in
management and for service to the community.
1Computer Science
Illuminated Chapter 10
For More Information On The Henry L Gantt Award
Click Here
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· Additional Information
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For
additional information on Gantt charts we suggest you click here
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