Best Practices for Program Managers
As a program manager, one of the key challenges you face is optimizing resources and scheduling to ensure that your program is completed on time and within budget. This requires careful planning and execution, as well as the use of best practices and proven techniques. In this blog, we will discuss some of the key considerations for optimizing resources and scheduling, and provide you with some best practices to help you achieve success.
This is the latest post is one of several in the series I have focused on Program Management Fundamentals
Define Your Objectives and Deliverables
The first step in optimizing resources and scheduling is to define your program objectives and deliverables. This involves identifying the scope of your program, as well as the resources and timelines required to complete it. Once you have a clear understanding of your program requirements, you can begin to develop a resource plan and schedule that will enable you to achieve your goals.
Conduct a Resource Assessment
Once you have defined your program objectives and deliverables, the next step is to conduct a resource assessment. This involves identifying the resources required to complete your program, including personnel, equipment, and materials. You should also consider any constraints that may impact your ability to access these resources, such as budget limitations, regulatory requirements, or availability.
Develop a Resource Plan
Based on your resource assessment, you can begin to develop a resource plan that outlines the specific resources required to complete each task or activity within your program. This plan should also identify any potential risks or challenges that may impact your ability to access these resources, and provide strategies for mitigating these risks.
Create a Program Schedule
Once you have developed your resource plan, you can begin to create a project schedule that outlines the specific timelines for each task or activity within your program. This schedule should take into account any dependencies between tasks, as well as any external factors that may impact your ability to complete these tasks on time.
Monitor and Control Resources and Scheduling
Once your program is underway, it’s important to monitor and control resources and scheduling to ensure that you are staying on track. This involves tracking resource usage, identifying potential resource conflicts or shortages, and making adjustments to your resource plan and schedule as needed.
Best Practices for Optimizing Resources and Scheduling
- Utilize project management software to help you plan, schedule, and track your program activities and resources.
- Regularly communicate with your team members to ensure that everyone is aware of their responsibilities and timelines.
- Develop contingency plans for unexpected events that may impact your ability to access resources or meet your program deadlines.
- Regularly review and update your resource plan and schedule to ensure that they remain aligned with your program objectives and deliverables.
- Consider utilizing agile project management methodologies to help you manage changing requirements and priorities.
Key Takeaways
Optimizing resources and scheduling is a critical component of successful program management. By following these best practices and utilizing proven techniques, you can ensure that your program is completed on time and within budget, while delivering high-quality results.
Of coarse these are the elementary components of Optimizing Resources and Scheduling. With training, detailed analytics supported by Project Management Software, you will be able to traverse a greater range of options, running ‘Options Analysis’ to provide a competative edge to your team through your work.
What does Great look like (vs merely Good)
When it comes to separating great from good in the field of optimizing resources and scheduling, one key factor is the ability to think creatively and outside the box. The best program managers are able to identify innovative solutions to resource constraints and scheduling challenges, rather than simply relying on standard approaches. They are also adept at balancing competing priorities and making difficult trade-offs to achieve project success. Finally, great program managers are able to communicate effectively with stakeholders and build consensus around scheduling and resource allocation decisions.
Thought Leadership
a few examples of influential thinkers in the field of optimizing resources and scheduling, along with their contributions to the topic:
Dr. Eliyahu Goldratt
Goldratt is best known for his Theory of Constraints, which emphasizes the importance of identifying and addressing bottlenecks in the production process. His book “The Goal” is a classic in the field of operations management and provides a framework for optimizing resources and scheduling.
Dr. Edward W. Merrow
Merrow is a leading authority on project management and has authored numerous books and articles on the subject. He has written extensively on the importance of effective resource management and scheduling in project success.
Dr. David Pells
Pells is the founder of the Project Management World Journal and is a recognized expert in project management. He has written extensively on the topic of scheduling and resource management and is a frequent speaker at project management conferences.
Harold Kerzner
“Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling” by Harold Kerzner
“Project Management Metrics, KPIs, and Dashboards: A Guide to Measuring and Monitoring Project Performance” by Harold Kerzner
Greg Horine
“Project Management Absolute Beginner’s Guide” by Greg Horine
