Description
PJM460 MOD2 Peer Discussion Forum Responses
Please reply to both POST1: and POST2: in at least 200 words
My Original Post: (for reference only)
Task Duration Forecasting
Estimating the duration of activities is the process of estimating
the number of work periods needed to complete individual activities with
estimated resources (Luiz et al., 2017). One primary advantage of this
procedure is that the period of the project is projected, which each
task will need to complete. This could contribute significantly to the
development of a scheduled process. Consequently, as the resources for
each activity are determined, the resources are what estimate how long
activities would take for the project’s timelines of completion.
Estimating project activity durations is a lengthy process that requires
the involvement of the entire PM team to estimate the project’s
duration.
One likely bias in estimating time known as planning fallacy is a
significant problem. This is the tendency to underestimate the amount of
time that the project will need to complete the project or the
overestimation of the amount of work that should be finished within a
certain amount of time (Luiz et al., 2017). Therefore, mathematical
models have been introduced to help. The independent variables are
technical skills, especially in machine learning, while the dependent
variables are cost and duration. Computer systems can learn how to
estimate the length of tasks and bring humans closer to methods that
would help in managing time better (White et al., 2019). PM managers
need to display interpersonal skills to facilitate communication with
the top management as well as the teams. Communication means personal
contact, and the framework of task duration is based on communication
(Hill, 2017). Decision-making skills are important because they are
critical in determining better choices. Forecasting is a decision tool.
The project manager would need to delegate work and responsibility to
others; hence the amount of direction given depends on the decision of
the project manager.
Forecasting activity duration is a process that is centered on
uncertainty. It has a critical path to be followed. In this path, risks
must be identified as well as approaches to deal with the risks (Quigley
& Pries, 2016). It is important to understand. Understanding the
customer’s organization enables project task duration to the customer’s
satisfaction without compromising customer quality or cost.
References
Hill, A. (2017, October 11). ‘Portable’ leaders need people skills. FT.Com.
Luiz, J. V. R., De Souza, F. B., & Luiz, O. R. (2017). PMBOK® and
critical chain practices: Antagonisms and opportunities for
complementation. Gestao e Producao, 24(3), 464-476.
Quigley (Links to an external site.), J & Pries, K.H. (2016). Project Task Duration Estimation and Scheduling.PMI. Retrieved from https://www.projectmanagement.com/articles/328893/…
White, R. W., & Hassan Awadallah, A. (2019, January). Task duration estimation. In Proceedings of the Twelfth ACM International Conference on Web Search and Data Mining (pp. 636-644).
POST1:(A question from the professor concerning my post, please reply)
Darby,
I believe one of the reasons task duration forecasting seems to be
difficult is because it is easy to estimate how long it will take you or
someone you have worked with before to complete a task. It is more
complicated when you are dealing with others whom you may have never
worked with. Your thoughts?
Dr. Harrison.
POST2:
I have
chose to discuss contract analysis and compliance planning. I chose
this because I felt least familiar with this process. Contract analysis
and compliance planning is an important step in the planning process of
the project that must continuously be considered throughout the project.
The contracts will define the scope, schedule, and budget that the
stakeholders agree to. Additionally there are contracts between
businesses, customer, employees, subcontractors etc. The project
manager’s ability to assess this documentation and ensure the project
meets these objectives is essential for managing compliance. In many
instances there is a contract management team that works to provide the
contractual needs ie. statement of work, payment terms, subcontractors
etc. The project manager’s role is to align the scope, schedule, and
budget defined in the contracts to the project objectives and
stakeholder’s interests (Flom & Wolf, 2016). The project managers
works with the contract manager to review, estimate, prioritize, and
schedule to sufficiently meet the project needs (Jacobs, 2016).
Technical Skills:
The PM must be familiar with the contractual process and understand
how to facilitate compliance. The project manager must also be familiar
with the terminology used by the contract team to communicate
efficiently.
Interpersonal Skills:
The PM must be able to communicate with the contract team regarding
contracts and communicate with the project team how to comply by these
requirements. This will allow the PM to obtain information, ask
questions, find solutions, address risk, manage conflict, build and
maintain healthy relationships between teams.
Decision-Making Skills:
The PM uses this skill set to align the project to the contract
specifications. This requires the PM to decide priorities and assign
tasks to the team members.
References
Flom, R., & Wolf, L. (2016). Bridging the Gap between Project
Management & Contract Management. Contract Management, 56(11),
28–36.
Jacobs, T. (2016, 11). A PROJECT MANAGER’S GUIDE TO CONTRACT MANAGEMENT. Contract Management, 56, 20-24,26-27.