The Drop-Dead Deadline
There are two very foreboding terms when it comes to projects:
1. Deadline, and
2. Drop dead.
Every project has a deadline and often we ask, “What is your drop dead on this project?” Your drop dead? If we don’t get this project done on time is someone going to die?
Every project has a deadline. Usually these fall within a comfortable, non-fatal time frame. However, there are some projects that need to move faster than the typical project and while someone might not die if the project isn’t completed on time they might lose their job. Here are five critical steps to making sure the project gets completed on time:
1. Break the project into sections. This is standard advice for any project, because it works.
2. Determine the resources (human/machine, time, money, etc.) needed to complete each section.
This will allow you to see where your bottlenecks for completing the project on time are.
3. Have a start and complete date and time for each section of the project. This will help everyone to know if you are on schedule and helps all those involved in the project to plan accordingly.
4. Post the project timeline for everyone to see. This provides accountability during the project and inhibits finger pointing at the end of the project if the deadline is not met.
5. Hold regular accountability meetings on the project. Refer to the timeline and manage your resources.
When the project is over review with it with your team. Learn from your mistakes and celebrate your successes.
1. Deadline, and
2. Drop dead.
Every project has a deadline and often we ask, “What is your drop dead on this project?” Your drop dead? If we don’t get this project done on time is someone going to die?
Every project has a deadline. Usually these fall within a comfortable, non-fatal time frame. However, there are some projects that need to move faster than the typical project and while someone might not die if the project isn’t completed on time they might lose their job. Here are five critical steps to making sure the project gets completed on time:
1. Break the project into sections. This is standard advice for any project, because it works.
2. Determine the resources (human/machine, time, money, etc.) needed to complete each section.
This will allow you to see where your bottlenecks for completing the project on time are.
3. Have a start and complete date and time for each section of the project. This will help everyone to know if you are on schedule and helps all those involved in the project to plan accordingly.
4. Post the project timeline for everyone to see. This provides accountability during the project and inhibits finger pointing at the end of the project if the deadline is not met.
5. Hold regular accountability meetings on the project. Refer to the timeline and manage your resources.
When the project is over review with it with your team. Learn from your mistakes and celebrate your successes.
Posted by Cal Tingey at 11/12/2011 8:35 AM 
Categories: Strategies, Management, Business Tools
Tags: Deadline dealines drop dead project project management Cal Tingey Cal Tingey
Categories: Strategies, Management, Business Tools
Tags: Deadline dealines drop dead project project management Cal Tingey Cal Tingey
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