How is uncertainty in project scheduling dealt with

If uncertainties are not correctly accounted for, then this can cause problems for the stakeholders and, ultimately, the entire project. This problem gets exponentially worse as projects get bigger, as uncertainty builds upon uncertainty. Having a scheduling system with built-in schedule risk analysis provides important benefits to users:. For more advanced needs, beyond duration uncertainty, organisations adopt Safran Risk , our solution for quantitative schedule and cost risk solution.

Safran Project's Schedule Risk Analysis module looks to fix this issue by introducing duration uncertainty into your schedule and by showing factors such as the spread. Schedule Risk Analysis also shows project managers and planners the need for schedule contingency. In this whitepaper, we explore why schedule risk analysis is becoming an increasingly important concept for project management professionals. It also looks at the Monte Carlo method and how it can be applied to project planning.

As well as looking at these concepts, the whitepaper presents Safran Project and discusses the way it can be implemented to highlight and ultimately reduce uncertainty in your schedule. Download our new whitepaper to learn how Schedule Risk Analysis can empower your project management workflow.

Methodology , Project Management. Why planning for change matters Change is going to happen — make the most of it. Adaptability provides a better customer focus. Adjusting for uncertainty promotes better risk management.

How to embrace change and uncertainty Be more flexible. Consider using an agile project management style for smaller, faster-moving projects.

Use time as a contingency buffer. Implement the risky features first. If you can, keep the dates, change the scope. Speak with confidence and probability about commitment dates. Use a scheduling tool that supports ranged estimates. Use data to predict finish dates with probability. Show management how the project captures uncertainty and plans for changes. Identify risks and add extra time to the high point estimates Determine which portion of the project carries the greatest amount of risk i.

Based on the identified risks, see where you might need to allocate more time in the schedule. For example, add a time contingency buffer of one week before a key milestone. You can move your milestones manually to check if these actions bring positive changes to the project state. Use not only project but also resource buffers. Proper resource management is a good way to overcome uncertainty issues in your projects.

You can get a clear overview of what your employees are busy with at any moment of time to be sure of the effectiveness of the project flow. The construction field cannot have any buffer as compared with assembly, for instance. But they can help each other. Another way is training an employee to perform a different kind of work. In Epicflow, you can easily have an overview of all your projects and choose one to analyze it in detail.

The dashed area in the picture denotes the room for uncertainty, so you can control every task in an absolutely easy way. It has the following peculiarities that will help you directly or indirectly cope with uncertainties:. We respond to any kind of change by the automatic prioritization changing. Instead of the necessity to replan everything, Epicflow calculates everything and just changes priorities.

Plan your project flow realistically. You can check it by applying What-if analysis Future Load Graph. The work in the project management field involves facing uncertainties in any case, so you have to deal with learning how to cope with them.

Do you have any tips for managing uncertainties? Or are you still trying to predict the unpredictable? Uncertainty and Risk: Are They the Same? Risk in Project Management Risk is an unpredicted action or event that can lead to either positive or negative consequences. Uncertainty in Project Management Uncertainty is associated with the lack of necessary information. The Difference So, what are the opposing characteristics of risk and uncertainty? When running your projects, you can manage risks, while the majority of the uncertainties are unmanageable.

On the other hand, you can detect them early and respond to them on time to save the project. When planning a project, you can identify and assess risks, and you cannot do the same with uncertainties. Causes of Uncertainty in Projects Any project is based on estimates, which in its core is definitely associated with uncertainties. Scope Uncertainty Uncertainties associated with project scope involve the inability to estimate the whole project itself, with all its peculiarities and requirements.

Work Amount Uncertainty Uncertainties related to the amount of work within the project scope include the lack of knowledge of how much work should be done to complete the project. Just set up clear priorities. And in case something goes wrong, just remake prioritization instead of full project rescheduling. Make realistic and smart estimates. Pay attention not to the task duration but dwell upon effort estimates if you want to save your project time.