Special Topics (IPMA D: only 1) - Critical Chain

10 important questions on Special Topics (IPMA D: only 1) - Critical Chain

Who described the Cricital CHAIN and in which book?

Eliyahu Goldratt - The Critical Chain

Which 4 problems of critical PATH are solved in the Critical CHAIN/ Theory of Constraints for projects?

  1. Uncertainty in Estimates
  2. The student syndrome
  3. Multi-tasking
  4. Resource availability

Describe the problem of uncertainty in estimates

- Most estimates we ask our team members are "one-point" estimates (except PERT approach)
- we confuse accuracy with certainty
- People play it safe
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Describe the student syndrome

People are inclined to start at the last possible moment
This leads to wasting valuable time

Describe the problem of multitasking

It is tempting to let people do several things at the same time

We loose time due to switch time

At the same time, 2 tasks might be in advantage as we can avoid losing motivation on 1 task

Describe the problem of resource availability

When 2 acitivites running in parallel make use of the same resource, the critical PATH methode doesn't take this into acount.

Beschrijf de Critical CHAIN methode

You plan ALAP (as late as possible) to avoid Student Syndrome
+ you estimate with 50% certainty
+ you provide for a potential overrun on the time schedule by building in buffers

Describe the difference between Critical Path and Critical Chain

Chritical PATH puts more pressure on people to achieve their schedule
More important in Critical CHAIN  is "handing over the batton" to the next person in the chain

Multitasking is not carried out in Critical CHAIN 

Critical Chain is Critical Path that takes account of resources availability

Describe the 3 types of buffer in Critical CHAIN

Feeding buffer: Multiple buffers to protect parts of the critical chain
Project buffer: A unique and single buffer to protect the project deadline
Resource buffer (not in book): multiple artificial buffers that act as warning signals to assure the availability of resources

Describe progress reporting in Critical Chain

PM only has o report how much of the various buffers have been used.

example difference:
Critical path: due to the current situation, we need three extra weeks
Critical chain: we have used three weeks of our buffer

Guidelines
* 0 - 1/3 of buffer used: o problem
* >1/3 pay more attention
* >2/3 action is needed depending on the type of buffer

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