General

MANAGING RISK OF DELAY – Subject Series Summary Update

November 10, 2011 By George T McLaughlin PMP CCM

This summary update provides readers with an overview of prior posts and provides a baseline for future posts that will follow on a timely basis. The last summary was posted on June 12, 2011

This summary is very brief and simply serves as an index for readers to follow. More robust summaries are provided in the June summary. Of course, detailed descriptions are contained in the individual posts.

Ideally this summary provides a starting point to investigate best practice on many delay-related features of project management.

The Context and Challenge (Part 1) – Talk/Speech by Mr. Keith Pickavance

Time-Management Strategy (Part 2) – Strategy according to CIOB Guide

As-Planned Schedule / Accepted Programme (Part 3) – Establishing the Time Management Baseline

Schedule Preparation and Maintenance (Part 4) – Managing the Time Baseline

Earned Value Management (Part 5) – Importance and Management of the Time Baseline Tool

Critical Path and Earned Value Management (Part 6) – Managing with Critical Path, Earned Value Management and Productivity Tools

Earned Value and Schedule Performance Indicators (Part 7) – Time Management Tools

Schedule Specification Sources and Implementation (Part 8) – Managerial Tools with sources

Recognition and Notice (Part 9) – Managerial Alerting and Action Tools

Going forward, we will post other features of MANAGING THE RISK OF DELAY. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Claims, Featured, General, Productivity, Projects Tagged With: Best Practice, Construction Contract Claims, Construction Contract Planning and Scheduling, Delay, Earned Value Management, George T. McLaughlin PMP, Managing risk of delay, McLaughlin & McLaughlin, Productivity Management, Project, Project Execution Planning, Risk of Delay, Schedule Specification, Time Management, Time Management Strategy, www.mclaughlinandmclaughlin.com

PRODUCTIVITY SERIES REVIEW (reissue 2)

November 7, 2011 By George T McLaughlin PMP CCM

McLaughlin & McLaughlin’s Project Professionals blog has a series of posts regarding labor/labour productivity. Over the last month we have added to this popular series. The first summary was posted in June and the latest was a reissue in October 2011. Readership has continued to increase. Consequently, we are reissuing this updated and expanded post as an overview of the labor/labour productivity series.

Productivity is a hot topic and has given rise to much discussion and debate in the project management world. Labor productivity can be a competitive advantage or a managerial challenge (actually, both and more). Therefore, we believe that there is high potential benefit in a review of McLaughlin & McLaughlin’s Productivity Series. Below, we have the titles and links to each post followed by a brief summary of the content. We intend to augment these posts with additional writings on the subject. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Claims, Featured, General, Productivity, Projects Tagged With: Best Practice, Change Order Impact, Field Labor Productivity, George T. McLaughlin PMP, Labor Productivity, McLaughlin & McLaughlin, Overtime Impact, Productivity, Productivity Improvement, Productivity Loss, Productivity Management, Project Management Plan, Variation Impact

Labor/Labour Productivity – Overtime Impacts (Part 12)

October 29, 2011 By George T McLaughlin PMP CCM

EVALUATING IMPACT

This is the twelfth posting regarding labor/labour productivity and disruption. This contribution provides thoughts on the evaluation of impact of overtime on labor productivity. The Subject Series can be viewed here.

Overtime or Extended Working Hours represent one of the widely recognized causes of loss in labor/labour efficiency or productivity. A key issue for project planners and managers is the notion of how to evaluate this impact. The evaluation challenge is present whether the analysis is prospective (contemporaneous) or retrospective. Retrospective analyses can be used or required during project execution or part of forensic analyses.

Regarding the evaluation techniques, K Pickavance (please see below for citation) organizes the methods as follows:

“Planned (undisrupted) versus actual (disrupted)”

“Actual (undisrupted) versus actual (disrupted) – the measured mile approach”

“Historic (undisrupted – on other projects) versus actual (disrupted)”

“Industry productivity norms (undisrupted) versus actual (disrupted)”

“Time and motion study (undisrupted) versus actual (disrupted).”

As previously posted, project planning is one of the major challenges for program and project management teams. Past posts have discussed many aspects of project planning. The series regarding Project Management Challenges is here. Part 5 of this series is particularly relevant or germane to the discussion regarding the impact of overtime on labor productivity in this post.

The impact of overtime on labor productivity is a relevant and serious consideration in many aspects of program and project management. In the case of impact assessment, the anticipation of a particular analytical methodology is a planning consideration. Said differently, the project planning should consider the data needed and the collection techniques to be used relative to the assessment of overtime impact on productivity.

Again, the impact on the schedule duration must consider the planned and forecasted progress using the proper productivity. As overtime is introduced, progress may well be impacted. The time impact of more work hours per week is mitigated or offset by the lowered productivity. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Claims, Featured, General, Productivity, Projects Tagged With: Best Practice, Construction Contract Claims, Construction Contract Planning and Scheduling, Field Labor Productivity, George T. McLaughlin PMP, Labour Productivity, McLaughlin & McLaughlin, Overtime impacts on productivity, Productivity Management, Project Execution Planning, Project Management Plan, Project Planning, Risk of Delay, www.mclaughlinandmclaughlin.com

Labor/Labour Productivity – Overtime Impacts (Part 11)

October 22, 2011 By George T McLaughlin PMP CCM

PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS

This is the eleventh posting regarding labor/labour productivity and disruption. This contribution provides managerial considerations or issues regarding the impact of overtime on labor productivity. The Subject Series can be viewed here.

Two key points:

“The project plan is needed as a baseline to calculate the expected cost and time performance (cost estimate or price and the project schedule)”
“Time and cost forecasts must be evaluated and adjusted if the project plan execution changes and overtime is introduced, increased or reduced.”

Project planning is one of the major challenges for program and project management teams. Past posts have discussed many aspects of project planning. The series regarding Project Management Challenges is here. Part 5 of this series is particularly relevant or germane to the discussion regarding the impact of overtime on labor productivity in this post.

The impact of overtime on labor productivity is a relevant and serious consideration in many aspects of program and project management. Understanding the impact on labor/labour productivity and cost due to overtime is an essential skill related to both planning and forensic analyses. Remember, the impact on productivity applies to all hours worked, not just the hours associated with premium time costs. Hence, often the productivity impact is more costly than the premium time compensation component of the payroll costs.

Perhaps more importantly the impact on the schedule duration must consider the planned and forecasted progress using the proper productivity. As overtime is introduced, progress may well be impacted. The time impact of more work hours per week is mitigated or offset by the lowered productivity.

The impact of overtime on labor/labour productivity is not limited to construction field labor. It presents in engineering, construction management, programming, consulting and other professional man-hours. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Claims, Featured, General, Productivity, Projects Tagged With: Best Practice, Best Practices, Construction Contract Claims, Construction Contract Planning and Scheduling, Field Labor Productivity, George T. McLaughlin PMP, Labor/Labour productivity, Managing risk of delay, McLaughlin & McLaughlin, Overtime impacts of productivity, Productivity Management, Project Execution Planning, Project Management Plan, Project Planning, Risk of Delay, www.mclaughlinandmclaughlin.com

Labor/Labour Productivity – Overtime Impacts (Part 10)

October 16, 2011 By George T McLaughlin PMP CCM

MANAGERIAL CONSIDERATIONS

This is the tenth posting regarding labor/labour productivity and disruption. This contribution provides managerial considerations or issues regarding the impact of overtime on labor productivity. The Subject Series can be viewed here.

The impact of overtime on labor productivity is a relevant and serious consideration in many aspects of program and project management. In general, some of the points of concern include:

“Project Management Plan – basis for the plan and related resource requirements”
“Changed Work – both prospective and retrospective planning and pricing”
“Delay Mitigation – planning and analyzing the options and related viability”
“Schedule Recovery – methods, options and viability”
“Forensic Analysis – claims for delay, acceleration and related impacts.”

Understanding the impact on labor/labour productivity and cost due to overtime is an essential skill related to both planning and forensic analyses. Remember, the impact on productivity applies to all hours worked, not just the hours associated with premium time costs. Hence, often the productivity impact is more costly than the premium time compensation component of the payroll costs.

The impact of overtime on labor/labour productivity is not limited to construction field labor. It presents in engineering, programming, consulting and other professional man-hours. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Claims, Featured, General, Productivity, Projects Tagged With: Best Practice, Construction Contract Claims, Construction Contract Planning and Scheduling, George T. McLaughlin PMP, Labor Productivity, Labour Productivity, Managing risk of delay, McLaughlin & McLaughlin, Overtime impacts on productivity, Productivity, Productivity Management, Project Execution Planning, Risk of Delay, www.mclaughlinandmclaughlin.com

Labor/Labour Productivity – Overtime Impacts (Part 9)

October 12, 2011 By George T McLaughlin PMP CCM

INDUSTRY STANDARDS

This is the ninth posting regarding labor/labour productivity and disruption. This contribution provides industry sources and references on the impact of overtime on labor productivity. The Subject Series can be viewed here.

Understanding the impact on labor/labour productivity and cost due to overtime is an essential skill related to both planning and forensic analyses. Remember, the impact on productivity applies to all hours worked, not just the hours associated with premium time costs. Hence, often the productivity impact is more costly than the premium time compensation component of the payroll costs.

The impact of overtime on labor/labour productivity is not limited to construction field labor. It presents in engineering, programming, consulting and other professional man-hours.

For this post, we will use United States definitions and standards as a baseline. Many of the authoritative studies and analyses are done relative to US practices, if not US Gulf Coast (a common estimating standard or baseline).

However, these standards are relevant to the world open market. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Claims, Featured, General, Productivity, Projects Tagged With: Best Practice, Best Practices, Construction Contract Claims, Construction Contract Planning and Scheduling, George T. McLaughlin PMP, Labor Productivity, Labour Productivity, Managing risk of delay, McLaughlin & McLaughlin, Overtime impacts on productivity, Productivity Management, Project Execution Planning, Risk of Delay

PRODUCTIVITY SERIES REVIEW (reissued)

October 8, 2011 By George T McLaughlin PMP CCM

Project Professionals blog had a series of posts earlier this year. Over the next several weeks, the intention is to add to this popular series. This summary was posted in June. Since June, the number of readers has increased significantly. Consequently, we are reissuing this post as a kickoff and restart of the labor/labour productivity series.

Productivity has become a hot topic and has given rise to much discussion and debate in the project management world. Labor productivity can be a competitive advantage or a managerial disaster. Therefore, we believe that there is high potential benefit in a review of McLaughlin & McLaughlin’s Productivity Series. Below, we have the titles and links to each post followed by a brief summary of the content. We intend to augment these posts with additional writings on the subject.

MANAGING RISK OF DELAY – Forecasting and Management (Part 12)

September 30, 2011 By George T McLaughlin PMP CCM

This post is the twelfth in a series of discussions regarding various aspects of time management as it relates to the risk of delay. This post addresses the managerial aspects of forecasting related to time management.

Planning for and implementing (time-related as opposed to cost-related) forecasting is, perhaps, one of the most important aspects of Time Management and, consequently, Managing Risk of Delay. As with progress assessment, timely (early) detection of trends (positive and negative) allows timely managerial action. Timeliness of action has a heavy influence over the effectiveness of Time Management. In project work, it is imperative that one finds problems quickly and fixes these problems rapidly. In order to implement timely action, professional and realistic time forecasting is required.

The challenge associated with managing time is intensified in the case of larger and more complex projects as well as fast-track and high technology projects. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Claims, Featured, General, Projects Tagged With: Best Practice, Best Practices, Construction Contract Claims, Construction Contract Planning and Scheduling, Earned Value Management, George T. McLaughlin PMP, Managing risk of delay, McLaughlin & McLaughlin, Productivity Management, Project Execution Plan, Project Execution Planning, Risk of Delay, Schedule Update, Time Management, Time Management Strategy

MANAGING RISK OF DELAY – Progress Assessment (Part 11)

September 24, 2011 By George T McLaughlin PMP CCM

This post is the eleventh in a series of discussions regarding various aspects of time management as it relates to the risk of delay. This post addresses planning for and implementing progress assessment.

Planning for and implementing progress assessment is, perhaps, one of the most important aspects of Time Management and, consequently, Managing Risk of Delay. Timely (early) detection of trends (positive and negative) allows timely managerial action. Timeliness of action is a heavy influence over the effectiveness of Time Management. In project work, it is imperative that one finds problems quickly and fixes these problems rapidly. In order to implement timely action, professional progress assessment is required.

The challenge associated with managing time is intensified in the case of larger and more complex projects as well as fast-track and high technology projects. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Claims, Featured, General, Projects Tagged With: Best Practices, Construction Claims, Construction Contract Planning and Scheduling, Delay, Earned Value Management, George T. McLaughlin PMP, Managing risk of delay, McLaughlin & McLaughlin, Productivity Management, Progress Reporting, Project Execution Plan, Project Execution Planning, Risk of Delay, Schedule Update, Time Management, Time Management Strategy

MANAGING RISK OF DELAY – Schedule Updates and Progress Considerations (Part 10)

September 19, 2011 By George T McLaughlin PMP CCM

This post is the tenth in a series of discussions regarding various aspects of time management as it relates to the risk of delay. This post addresses planning for and implementing progress measurement and schedule updates.

The challenge associated with managing time is intensified in the case of larger and more complex projects as well as fast-track and high technology projects.

In order to professionally manage time (and, therefore, risk of delay) the manager must have a time baseline [typically a Critical Path Method schedule and a Performance Measurement Baseline – please see earlier posts on these topics] and a method to recognize variations from the baseline. In order to detect variances, the managerial team must have an effective process to measure progress data and update the schedule (or time model). [Read more…]

Filed Under: Claims, Featured, General, Projects Tagged With: Best Practice, Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), Construction Contract Claims, Construction Contract Planning and Scheduling, Delay, Earned Value Management, Frederic L. Plotnick, George T. McLaughlin PMP, James O'Brian, Managing risk of delay, McLaughlin & McLaughlin, PMI, Productivity Management, Progress Reporting, Project Execution Plan, Project Execution Planning, Risk of Delay, Schedule Update, Time Management, Time Management Strategy

Search this Site