The Extreme Project Manager (EPM) stays at a high level, and understands big picture, at same time being able to call shots like a military commander. However, there are certain things, which can affect general schedule, and EPM must be aware of them at a relatively acute level. Particularly, I am referring to Critical Path Method (CPM) and Project Evaluation Review Technique (PERT). The EPM will use these analyses in a slightly different way to stay at a certain level.Walk Path
I have faint memories of hearing about CPM and PERT when I was a kid, many years ago. So what are such old ideas doing in EPM topic? I could say that these are very important methods that every Project manager should know.
But then how would I be any different? And as a Project Manager, you probably know CMP and PERT well anyhow… Right? Well, I will make it worth it for you. In a truly EPM fashion, we will hit on CPM and PERT, in a cursory and a slightly different way, where you can use it just enough to give you some kind of a handle in keeping an eye on scheduling.
CPM lets you see sequence of events of all tasks, and time required. It also shows earliest finish, earliest start, latest finish, and latest start estimates, so you can see slack in each of these tasks. You need to know slack, because if you are seeing a sequence of events, then you are also seeing dependencies of each of these tasks.
Hence, if you are aware of slack, then you can get a better idea of adherence to schedule your project is enjoying. As an EPM, here is a way I found to make this simple: When you make CPM, do not use sub-tasks. Try and stick to summary tasks. However, unlike Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), where we use a similar method, you may have to use some of your sub-tasks, depending on time to completion of that task. For example, if a sub-task takes a long time to complete, and has many dependencies, use it in CPM.
Look on Bright Side
Yes, even Project Managers are optimistic, especially EPM’s. Although, working with PERT, you have to be both, optimistic and pessimistic. Here is what I mean. Like CPM and WBS, PERT also involves breaking down of project into tasks. You then must divide tasks into three schedule categories, most optimistic finish estimate, and most pessimistic finish estimate, and most likely.