Is critical chain a real change from conventional project management?
Is it worth pursuing?
What abbout the broader issue of Theory of Cconstraints? Saving Changes...
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Michael BrownProject Manager| JPMorganChaseDeerfield, Il, United States
Frank,
That's a very good question... one I posed in the Project Management Central discussion group. As to a "real change," it depends upon whom you ask. There have been constant debates in the PMI journal about his very subject. I happen to feel it offers a very solid, straight forward approach and while not ENTIRELY new, certainly can offer a new look at traditional CPM techniques. It certainly is worth pursuing, particularly in situations where you have some (good) control over a resource pool. A great book after having read "Critical Chain" is Robert Newbold's book under the APICS publishing house. Saving Changes...
There is need to compile an industry survey of Critical Chain usage and benefits. In addition to Prochain, there are now at least three other software tools that relate to Microsoft Project, including Scitor and Goldratt Scotland (announced April 25). Saving Changes...
There's also a Critical Chain package from Speed To Market Engines, Concerto, which also is designed for MS Project integration.
> . In addition to Prochain, there are now > at least three other software tools that > relate to Microsoft Project, including > Scitor and Goldratt Scotland
A clarification: Scitor's Critical Chain product, PS Suite, isn't a MS Project add-on. It's a high end, integrated PM package supporting Critical Chain. As far as I know, it's the first completely integrated package supporting Critical Chain theory.
(My comments are my own and are in no way endorsed or supported by my employer. I take full responsibility for my comments.) Saving Changes...
At the recent TOC World conference, I saw a demo of Scitor's PS8 Critical Chain functionality, and it looks very impressive. Fast, clean, and not reliant on MS Project. The ability to separate out the non-essential features of MS Project and focus on the CC functions is a welcome change.
Also at that conference were presentations by several organizations that have implemented CC in a multiple project environment...
Lucent -- Project intervals reduced by 50%, 100% of projects on or ahead of commitment, tripled project capactiy/throughput, 30% revenue improvement
BAE Systems -- 18 months of ontime performance, avoided planned doubling of staff, clear understanding of bottlenecks, reduced project carrying cost by average $400K
Seagate -- Moving entire product development effort to multi-project management, huge cultural improvements due to clear guidance on priorities
Yes, Frank -- Critical Chain is real. The results are at least a change from the flavor of "conventional" PM has done for companies who have moved to it.
What do you mean by the "broader issue of TOC?" Saving Changes...
