20 Aug PJM460 MOD2 Peer Discussion Forum Responses

PJM460 MOD2 Peer Discussion Forum Responses

Please reply to both POST1: and POST2: in at least 200 words

My Original Post: (for reference only)

Task Duration Forecasting

Estimating the duration of activities is the process of estimating the number of work periods needed to complete individual activities with estimated resources (Luiz et al., 2017). One primary advantage of this procedure is that the period of the project is projected, which each task will need to complete. This could contribute significantly to the development of a scheduled process. Consequently, as the resources for each activity are determined, the resources are what estimate how long activities would take for the project’s timelines of completion. Estimating project activity durations is a lengthy process that requires the involvement of the entire PM team to estimate the project’s duration.

One likely bias in estimating time known as planning fallacy is a significant problem. This is the tendency to underestimate the amount of time that the project will need to complete the project or the overestimation of the amount of work that should be finished within a certain amount of time (Luiz et al., 2017). Therefore, mathematical models have been introduced to help. The independent variables are technical skills, especially in machine learning, while the dependent variables are cost and duration. Computer systems can learn how to estimate the length of tasks and bring humans closer to methods that would help in managing time better (White et al., 2019). PM managers need to display interpersonal skills to facilitate communication with the top management as well as the teams. Communication means personal contact, and the framework of task duration is based on communication (Hill, 2017). Decision-making skills are important because they are critical in determining better choices. Forecasting is a decision tool. The project manager would need to delegate work and responsibility to others; hence the amount of direction given depends on the decision of the project manager.

Forecasting activity duration is a process that is centered on uncertainty. It has a critical path to be followed. In this path, risks must be identified as well as approaches to deal with the risks (Quigley & Pries, 2016). It is important to understand. Understanding the customer’s organization enables project task duration to the customer’s satisfaction without compromising customer quality or cost.

References

Hill, A. (2017, October 11). ‘Portable’ leaders need people skills. FT.Com.

Luiz, J. V. R., De Souza, F. B., & Luiz, O. R. (2017). PMBOK® and critical chain practices: Antagonisms and opportunities for complementation. Gestao e Producao, 24(3), 464-476.

Quigley (Links to an external site.), J & Pries, K.H. (2016). Project Task Duration Estimation and Scheduling.PMI. Retrieved from https://www.projectmanagement.com/articles/328893/…

White, R. W., & Hassan Awadallah, A. (2019, January). Task duration estimation. In Proceedings of the Twelfth ACM International Conference on Web Search and Data Mining (pp. 636-644).

POST1:(A question from the professor concerning my post, please reply)

Darby,

I believe one of the reasons task duration forecasting seems to be difficult is because it is easy to estimate how long it will take you or someone you have worked with before to complete a task. It is more complicated when you are dealing with others whom you may have never worked with. Your thoughts?

Dr. Harrison.

POST2:

I have chose to discuss contract analysis and compliance planning. I chose this because I felt least familiar with this process. Contract analysis and compliance planning is an important step in the planning process of the project that must continuously be considered throughout the project. The contracts will define the scope, schedule, and budget that the stakeholders agree to. Additionally there are contracts between businesses, customer, employees, subcontractors etc. The project manager’s ability to assess this documentation and ensure the project meets these objectives is essential for managing compliance. In many instances there is a contract management team that works to provide the contractual needs ie. statement of work, payment terms, subcontractors etc. The project manager’s role is to align the scope, schedule, and budget defined in the contracts to the project objectives and stakeholder’s interests (Flom & Wolf, 2016). The project managers works with the contract manager to review, estimate, prioritize, and schedule to sufficiently meet the project needs (Jacobs, 2016).

Technical Skills:

The PM must be familiar with the contractual process and understand how to facilitate compliance. The project manager must also be familiar with the terminology used by the contract team to communicate efficiently.

Interpersonal Skills:

The PM must be able to communicate with the contract team regarding contracts and communicate with the project team how to comply by these requirements. This will allow the PM to obtain information, ask questions, find solutions, address risk, manage conflict, build and maintain healthy relationships between teams.

Decision-Making Skills:

The PM uses this skill set to align the project to the contract specifications. This requires the PM to decide priorities and assign tasks to the team members.

References

Flom, R., & Wolf, L. (2016). Bridging the Gap between Project Management & Contract Management. Contract Management, 56(11), 28–36.

Jacobs, T. (2016, 11). A PROJECT MANAGER’S GUIDE TO CONTRACT MANAGEMENT. Contract Management, 56, 20-24,26-27.