- What is CCPM
Critical Chain Project Management is a methodology formulated by Dr. Eli Goldratt in 1990 to manage and complete the project within budget, scope, and time. Considering all uncertainties that come across the way of project, CCPM with the help of proper project planning along with individual task planning has a successful history of project completion in time.
- What is the difference between PERT/CPM and CCPM
In PERT/CPM methodology main focus of the project is to complete all tasks in time where as in CCPM it is not important to complete all task in time but it is important to complete projects in time. In CCPM project process plan is made considering all uncertainties and keeping buffer at the end of the projects where as in traditional way of managing projects do not consider that.
- What changes are required to make CCPM work?
Performance measurements are not on completion of each task but on completion of the project. None of the task can start without the full kit is available and at the same time deliverables of the particular task has to complete in all respect. All key managers should learn and implement the process of CCPM
- CCPM requires a “culture change” in the organization, is this true?
It is difficult to implement the complete cultural change in the organization but any new way of working requires some cultural change in the organization. CCPM helps make process much smoother which requires changing way of working.
- Do we require more resources or finance to successfully implement CCPM?
In CCPM methodology projects are completed within the scope .budget and time. CCPM Activities are more or less same but they are sequenced as per their dependencies. Even if these activities are delayed a buffer is created at the end of the project. Also the parallel/supporting tasks to the sequenced activities are managed and a feeding buffer is also kept to avoid delays. The buffer consumption ratio gives us clear picture of the project. So managing the project is more important.
- How long does it take to implement CCPM?
It depends on the size of the organization and no. of projects. Generally to set up an internal team and coach them and put all the projects in place it takes 3 months. Implementation may further continue for 3 to 6 months to fully transfer the skills and coach managers through one or two cycles of project.
- Our challenge is less managing projects, than managing resources. How can CCPM help with that?
We feel that this is the main issue in managing the projects that how to plan and deploy resources properly. CCPM is the only resource oriented approach for managing the projects. This is done by creating a level resourced project plan, highlighting constraints and how they affect project delivery, enabling dynamic prioritization of tasks within and across the project.
- Does Avenir has any software for supporting CCPM and is it necessary to use one to be successful?
Avenir has sponsored the development of software specially designed to handle a wide variety of CCPM application across different environments. An essential element of CCPM is reducing the (bad) multi tasking. To accomplish this it is important to decide task priorities at any given point of time, without software tool it nearly impossible to do.
- Can we implement without having basic PM skills?
Organizations that want to start first with Project Management basics find later when they go to CCPM that much of what they have been doing will need to change, to create effective project plan. However, for organizations with little or no culture or experience in Project Management, the implementation covers the same essential skills, with no need to overcome past hobbits.
