I wonder if anybody could set me straight on my query below?
I got a question wrong on Rita Mulcahy's mock exam related to scheduling. According to the answer all schedules should be compressed before they are finalized.
However if you compress the schedule before finalizing as a matter of course then where does they leave you to go if any schedule issues arise while the project is being executed?
I get that you might have to compress a schedule up front in order to meet a client or sponsor imposed deadline but if there is no requirement to do that why compress the schedule? Especially when you considered it has cost and risk implications.
Praveen MalikIndependent Consultant| Independent ConsultantNew Delhi, India
The term "Process" has a meaning. It is very well defined in the Guide. Saving Changes...
Praveen MalikIndependent Consultant| Independent ConsultantNew Delhi, India
Mounir, I completely agree with you on this. There is not even an iota of doubt in my mind on what you are saying.
As I understand it, you are saying:
- "finalization of activities" will happen after "finalization of WBS"
- "finalization of cost estimate" will happen after "finalization of Schedule"
Very true. No disagreement here.
The difference of opinion is how you are defining a "Process" and how the Guide defines it. The Guide (as per the 5th ed.) has defined 47 processes. "finalization of WBS", "finalization of cost estimate" etc. are not PMBOK Guide's processes. Saving Changes...
Anonymous
Are we splitting hair here?
The question goes back to the point of sequence - is there a sequence or there is not.
A sequence means you do a process (or part of a process) before another one whether you have SS - FS - or FF relation it all depends on the situation - the size of the project, etc. However, in all cases there has to be some sequence.
Therefore, when the PMBOK Guide tells us that WBS is before activity definition (and Rita says the same thing) that does not mean
1. All of the WBS must be 100% complete - you can have some overlap
2. That the WBS cannot be updated after the Define Activity Process
In other words, one can start working the WBS ---- a while late start estimating and start scheduling ---- but we cannot finalize the Define Activities and Estimate Cost Processes until the Create WBS Process is complete.
The logic of the PMBOK and Rita and Real Life align and is flexible - NOT rigid by the book.
Again - we can agree to disagree Saving Changes...
Praveen MalikIndependent Consultant| Independent ConsultantNew Delhi, India
Mounir,
We are going around in a circle.
You are saying "PMBOK Guide tells us that WBS is before activity definition..."
I have given you an exact quotation from the Guide which categorically states there is no sequence among the processes. I have also given some examples for the same.
I agree that the logic of the Guide and Rita's book align. But the Rita's process chart does not conform to the PMBOK Guide processes (even the process names are different).
It is OK if you want to disagree with that. I have nothing more to add. I am moving out out of the circle. :) Saving Changes...
