CCPM-Student Syndrome!!!

In the first part of the series on CCPM, let’s discuss about Student Syndrome.
When a lead drafts a schedule with budgets for every task, it is no surprise that they build buffers into every task. They justify this by using a simple word “In-Case”. But this simple theory is one of the major reasons for schedule slippage and that’s what student syndrome is all about.
Student syndrome refers to the phenomenon that many people will start to fully apply themselves to a task just at the last possible moment before a deadline. This leads to wasting any buffers built into individual task duration estimates.
Though building buffers into every task be seen as a plan with good intention, the latest possible start of tasks in which the buffer for any given task is wasted beforehand, rather than kept in reserve.
This phenomenon is visible in all forms of work/business. This same behavior is seen in businesses; in project and task estimating, a time- or resource-buffer is applied to the task to allow for overrun or other scheduling problems.
But what’s the solution for this?
On the face of it, the most recommended solution is to cut down budget of every task by 20-25%. In other words, minimize or remove individual task buffers. To compensate for this build a cumulative buffer and start performing buffer management. Sound Simple!!! But the real problem lies in implementing it successfully. The most common problems encountered are:
Convincing project leads for reduction of task buffers
Amount to be reduced from task budgets
Identification of critical areas or critical path
Building cumulative buffer into the critical path
And finally adhering to the schedule and managing it
We have a lucky to have a panacea to the all the above mentioned problems. That’s what many management gurus call “Change Management”. In my next post, I will be elaborating on the execution of the CCPM process.
I am learning a lot these days and I am interested in sharing my learning. Oops!! I am not preaching any philosophy…..not in a mood and will never be….

And we have 3rd test match and IPL coming very soon……Lets see what our “Devils” have in store for us.

Well!....Well!...Well!

Let’s talk about some interesting Project Management concepts.
To start with lets talk about Critical Chain Project Management (CCPM).
Starting this week, I will be extensively writing about my experiences with CCPM.
So you can expect some interesting stuff which is not discussed in books.
Lets get back to some serious business and gain some gyaan…….