Why are large schedule delays, which seemingly too often come as "huge surprises" when reported, becoming a feature of major and mega projects? Is the critical path method failing us? Is agile development the solution, maybe hybrid, or what about critical chain as an alternative?
The reality is that all project management methodologies are undermined if the quality and accuracy of the data flowing in and out of the project control system is poor, or not adequately analysed or understood by project controls professionals or not acted upon by project management leaders. Major projects today are certainly exposed to increasing uncertainty, an expanding range of risks and complexity factors, in some cases particularly in Defence related to partially or fully novel designs which extend across the full life cycle from concept development through to warranty. The Government and industry response has included larger project planning teams and larger, more complicated scheduling models. Why then are low probability schedule baselines and inaccurate schedule forecasts still such a common occurrence?
