Time Management

Time Management

Back to School Time
Where were those balmy summer days we all remember?  No time for regrets or feeling maudlin, it is time to get organized.  Uniforms, books, new transport routes all need to be sorted.  Time is critical. Time Management is crucial. Successful project managers are great time managers. So how do you manage time on projects?

1. What is your goal?
Very simply looking at the School Scenario - you need to have the kids dressed in the appropriate uniform, equipped with the right books and accessories and delivered to school on time.  How do we achieve this goal?  Just like managing any project make sure you have the right requirements.

2. Requirements.
Make sure you have the up-to-date list of books and accessories, do not assume that last year's curriculum has not changed.  You need to measure the kids, as somehow during the summer they gained 3 inches and you will not be popular if trousers are at half mast.  Check out alternative routes to school.  Now that you know the requirements make a list of tasks.

3. Make a list of tasks.
Write down all the tasks you have to do, how long each task will take and what it is dependent on. Write down the detail.  Prioritize each task, what are the most important things to be done? Do these first.  If your list is not prioritized it is just a collection of things to be done.  Delegate simple tasks to the kids.  This list is now your scheduled plan.  SO GO DO IT!

4. Don't procrastinate
Don't put it off, keep focused on your goal.  Manage all interruptions.  If you are interrupted ensure the most important tasks are completed. Keep to your plan and you will get the kids back to school on time.

Time management is an essential skill for all project managers, we would all love more time a few extra hours every day but that is impossible.  We need to work smarter and get the highest priority tasks completed first.

All projects can be broken down into a number of tasks that need to be done. If you omit a task or underestimate the length of time a task will take you will blow your schedule. Remember the critical path where you can do parallel tasks at the same time.  Make sure you manage the critical path. The Project Manager's key to time management is managing the critical path.

 

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