How Do I Choose the Best Project and Time Management Software?

Reasonably arranging project time is a key content in project management. Its purpose is to ensure that the project is completed on time, that resources are reasonably allocated, and that the best work efficiency is achieved. Arrange the time reasonably to ensure the project is completed on time.

Project time management

(An item of project management)

"Complete the project on time and with good quality" is probably what every project manager wants most. However, delays in construction periods often occur. Its main work includes definition

Project time management activity definition

Breaking down project work into smaller, more manageable work packages is also called activities or tasks. These small activities should be the detailed tasks that can be implemented to ensure that the product is delivered. In project implementation, all activities should be listed into a clear list of activities, and

Project Time Management Pictures (3)

Each member of the project team knows how much work needs to be done. The list of activities should be documented to facilitate the use and management of other processes in the project. Of course, with the deepening and refinement of project activity decomposition, the work breakdown structure (WBS) may need to be modified, which will also affect other parts of the project. For example, cost estimation, after the activities are considered in more detail, the costs may increase, so after the activity definition is completed, the content on the project work breakdown structure should be updated.

Project time management activity sequencing

Based on the product description and activity list, find out the dependencies between project activities, dependencies in specific areas, and work order. Here, we need to consider both the special order and priority logical relationship that the team wants internally, as well as the various internal and external dependencies, external and external dependencies, and some related work to complete the project, such as in the final hardware environment Perform software testing and other tasks.

Setting project milestones is an important part of sequencing. Milestones are key events and key target times in a project, and an important factor in project success. Milestones are an integral part of the sequence of activities to ensure that project requirements are fulfilled. For example, in the development project, key tasks such as final confirmation of requirements and product transfer can be used as project milestones.

In the definition of the project activity relationship, four methods are generally used: priority graphic method, arrow graphic method, conditional graphic method, and network template. Finally, a set of project network diagram is formed. The more commonly used method is the prior graphical method, also known as the single-coded network graph method.

Project time management activity duration estimation

Project duration estimation is to list the duration required for project activities according to the project scope and resource status plan. The estimated duration should be realistic, effective, and quality-assured. Therefore, in the estimation of the construction period, we must fully consider the impact of the activity list, reasonable resource requirements, personnel capabilities and environmental factors on the project construction period. The impact of risk factors on the construction period should be fully considered in the estimation of the construction period of each activity. After the project duration estimation is completed, quantified duration estimation data can be obtained and documented, and the activity list can be improved and updated at the same time.

Generally speaking, the following methods can be used to estimate the duration:

1) Expert review form. Analysis and evaluation by experienced and competent personnel.

2) Simulation estimation. Calculate the evaluation duration using similar previous activities as the basis for estimating the duration of future activities.

3) Quantitative basic construction period. When the product can use the quantitative standard to calculate the construction period, the unit of measurement is used as the basic data for the overall estimation.

4) Retention time. A certain percentage is reserved in the construction period estimation as redundant time to meet the project risk. As the project progresses, the redundant time can be gradually reduced.

Project time management schedule

The project's schedule means clearly defining the start and end dates of the project activity, which is a process of repeated confirmation. The determination of the schedule should be based on the project network diagram, estimated activity duration, resource requirements, resource sharing, project implementation work calendar, schedule restrictions, earliest and latest time, risk management plan, and activity characteristics.

Schedule limitation is to consider how to define the progress relationship between activities according to the ordering of activities. Generally there are two forms: one is to strengthen the date form, to restrict the progress of the activity by the context between the activities, such as an activity not earlier than the beginning of an activity or not later than the end of an activity; the other is a key event or The main milestone form, with the event defined as a milestone as the decisive factor of the required time schedule, formulate the corresponding time plan.

When developing the project schedule, first calculate the earliest start and end time of each activity by mathematical analysis

Project Time Management Pictures (4)

The time progress network diagram is obtained with the latest start and end dates, and then the activity time is adjusted through resource factors, activity time, and redundant factors, and finally the best activity schedule is formed.

The critical path method (CPM) is a very practical method in time management. Its working principle is: calculate the duration for each minimum task unit, define the earliest start and end date, the latest start and end date, and form according to the relationship of activities. Sequential network logic diagram, find the longest path necessary, which is the critical path.

Time compression refers to the optimization of the critical path, and adjusts the entire plan in combination with cost factors, resource factors, working time factors, and feasible schedule factors of the activity until the time spent on the critical path can no longer be compressed to obtain the optimal time schedule.

Project time management progress control

Progress control is mainly to monitor the implementation status of progress, and to timely detect and correct deviations and errors. In the control, it is necessary to consider the factors that affect the change of the project schedule, the factors that affect the other parts of the project schedule change, and the actual measures to be taken when the schedule is changed. This has been discussed in previous issues and will not be repeated here.

Project time management uses tools to help

At present, project management software is being widely used in project management, especially its clear expression, which is more convenient, flexible and efficient in project time management. Enter the activity list, estimated activity duration, logical relationship between activities, human resources and costs involved in the management software in the management software. Project management software can automatically perform mathematical calculations, balance resource allocation, cost calculation, and quickly resolve progress Cross-cutting issues can also be printed to show a progress meter. In addition to the project schedule development function, the project management software also has a strong ability to record project execution, track project plans, and record actual completion, and can provide actual and potential impact analysis in a timely manner.

In the book "Efficient Managers" by Peter Drucker, the founder of modern management science, it is mentioned that the basis of managers' effectiveness is: record time; management time; and unified schedule. Therefore, in order to improve the project progress time, the first step is to record the actual situation of project time consumption.