Mudassar KhanProgram (Project )Manager| Woodward Canada IncPeterborough, ON, Canada
Most projects are interrelated, sharing people, equipment, resources and deliverables. These dependencies mean that a single project delay has a significant ripple effect on related projects, disrupting schedules, causing resource conflicts and even triggering expensive contingencies, in order to minimise risks.
Whats the optimum way to get over this issue ? Saving Changes...
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Eric SimmsSenior Program ManagerBaltimore, Maryland, United States
If your projects share resources so much, then problems are inevitable. If you acquire more people, equipment and resources so each project has its own, you can reduce your risk of problems significantly. Since that’s the obvious answer, I assume it’s not an option.
You can also reduce the amount of problems and the cost of contingencies by operating fewer projects simultaneously. It’s not desirable, but given the severe resource dependencies you described it sounds like the best way to produce the most successful projects at the least cost.
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1 reply by Mudassar Khan
Mar 31, 2017 6:17 AM
Mudassar Khan
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Thank you Eric for the lovely response, would definitely try these
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S RajasekarSenior Project Manager| AllscriptsBangalore, Karnataka, India
Reduce the dependencies as much as possible , i have seen PM's allocate same resource in %, like 25% , 30%...etc in different projects , in practical this will not work and switching tasks cost more than waiting and also increase quality issues.
If the dependencies are inevitable close tracking and monitoring is the only way , should do risk management effectively and be proactive, should not wait problem/delay to happen to react/response should be able to predict and make changes to the plan to cover within contingency. if it goes above need to create exception plan
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1 reply by Mudassar Khan
Mar 31, 2017 6:19 AM
Mudassar Khan
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Thank you S Rajasekar, I agree with you that by allocating resources partially, the allied cost will inadvertently increase :)
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Mudassar KhanProgram (Project )Manager| Woodward Canada IncPeterborough, ON, Canada
Mar 31, 2017 4:46 AM
Replying to Eric Simms
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If your projects share resources so much, then problems are inevitable. If you acquire more people, equipment and resources so each project has its own, you can reduce your risk of problems significantly. Since that’s the obvious answer, I assume it’s not an option.
You can also reduce the amount of problems and the cost of contingencies by operating fewer projects simultaneously. It’s not desirable, but given the severe resource dependencies you described it sounds like the best way to produce the most successful projects at the least cost.
Thank you Eric for the lovely response, would definitely try these Saving Changes...
Mudassar KhanProgram (Project )Manager| Woodward Canada IncPeterborough, ON, Canada
Mar 31, 2017 5:47 AM
Replying to S Rajasekar
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Reduce the dependencies as much as possible , i have seen PM's allocate same resource in %, like 25% , 30%...etc in different projects , in practical this will not work and switching tasks cost more than waiting and also increase quality issues.
If the dependencies are inevitable close tracking and monitoring is the only way , should do risk management effectively and be proactive, should not wait problem/delay to happen to react/response should be able to predict and make changes to the plan to cover within contingency. if it goes above need to create exception plan
Thank you S Rajasekar, I agree with you that by allocating resources partially, the allied cost will inadvertently increase :) Saving Changes...
When projects are interrelated then apply the methodology of Program or Portfolio Management depending upon the nature of Projects. Establish the system for planning, designing and implementing to evaluate and optimum use of Capacity and capability of an organisation. Without a proper system, it is difficult to optimise your resource. Also deploy sever based Project Management Information system (PMIS) for monitoring and controlling. Saving Changes...
Product Operations Program ManagerBarcelona, Cataluña, Spain
The question contains part of the answers. If several projects running concurrently are sharing the same resources, the risk of experiencing delays or budget overrun due to overtime increases. Thus, having less concurrent projects, or less interdependent, or increasing the workforce may be assessed to minimize risks.
At the end, it is about allocating time and effort to ensure a proper and thorough project control and monitoring.
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1 reply by Mudassar Khan
Apr 06, 2017 3:54 AM
Mudassar Khan
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Eduard thank you for your comments
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Mudassar KhanProgram (Project )Manager| Woodward Canada IncPeterborough, ON, Canada
Apr 06, 2017 3:14 AM
Replying to Eduard Hernandez
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The question contains part of the answers. If several projects running concurrently are sharing the same resources, the risk of experiencing delays or budget overrun due to overtime increases. Thus, having less concurrent projects, or less interdependent, or increasing the workforce may be assessed to minimize risks.
At the end, it is about allocating time and effort to ensure a proper and thorough project control and monitoring.
Eduard thank you for your comments Saving Changes...
Drew CraigSr. Agile & Product Coach| VanguardPhiladelphia, Pa, United States
Running many interrelated projects concurrently is in itself a risk. If it is deemed necessary to accept that risk, then what S. Rajasekar states is sensible, however, if there is a choice, then reduce that risk by running less concurrent projects.
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1 reply by Mudassar Khan
Apr 07, 2017 2:59 AM
Mudassar Khan
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Thank you andrew for providing, the expert advice and seconding Rajasekar views
Saving Changes...
Mudassar KhanProgram (Project )Manager| Woodward Canada IncPeterborough, ON, Canada
Apr 06, 2017 6:57 AM
Replying to Drew Craig
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Running many interrelated projects concurrently is in itself a risk. If it is deemed necessary to accept that risk, then what S. Rajasekar states is sensible, however, if there is a choice, then reduce that risk by running less concurrent projects.
Thank you andrew for providing, the expert advice and seconding Rajasekar views Saving Changes...
If projects are having shared resources, then who is responsible for ensuring the availability of resources in your organization. Who is responsible to decide which project is prioritized higher than the other project and why so? who decides such issues?
Generally, in a program management oriented organization, such resource interdependencies are managed at program level and it is done by program governance board to ensure priority, resource management at program level is done by program manager.
This is one of the reasons why an integrated schedule is needed and how a delay in one of the project affects the other projects and hence the overall benefit of the program and cascading to the organization level.
If there is no program management in your organization, at least do impact analysis of your projects alone and also highlight the inter dependencies on other projects and escalate the issue to the sponsor or the governance board or steering committee. Saving Changes...
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