How to plan a project with deadlines

The Problem of Hard Deadlines

Many project managers are faced with a situation where project deadlines are determined prescriptively at the initiation stage - long before the start of detailed planning. At the same time, the classical critical path method involves calculating deadlines in the process of forming a schedule network model. A contradiction arises: how to use schedule network planning tools if the end dates are already fixed and cannot be changed?

In such conditions, the planning process can turn into a formality that does not bring real benefits. However, this is the wrong approach. Network-based modeling remains a valuable tool even under severe policy restrictions-it's just that its role is changing.

Basic and Current Plan: What's the Difference?

Project management theory clearly distinguishes between two types of plans:

The basic plan is approved at the start of the project and serves as a starting point. It records the initial parameters: deadlines, budget, scope of work. Changes to the baseline can only be made through a formal change control process.

The current plan reflects the actual state of the project at the moment. It is constantly updated taking into account the actual performance of work, emerging risks and changes in conditions.

Comparing these two plans provides management information about where the project is on schedule and where deviations are occurring. It is the analysis of deviations that allows you to make timely corrective decisions.

Schedule network model as a current plan

The schedule network model (CNM) is a tool for constructing and updating the current plan. When the schedule network model shows a deviation from the target deadlines, this does not mean automatic failure of the project. This is a signal that there are problem areas that require attention.

Deviations in the schedule network model perform a diagnostic function. They highlight bottlenecks, risks, and critical dependencies. If these issues are not resolved, deadlines will indeed be missed. But if you work with the identified problems, you can find compensatory measures.

Algorithm for working with deviations

If discrepancies are detected between the current plan and the basic (directive) deadlines, you should proceed according to the following scheme:

1. Critical chain analysis - determine which activities and dependencies are creating a backlog

2. Search for compensatory measures - explore the possibilities of speeding up work, redistributing resources, changing the sequence of tasks

3. Implementation of corrective actions - implement the solutions found and update the current plan

4. Request for change - only if it is not possible to make up the backlog, initiate a formal change to the baseline

Diagnosis before treatment

The main value of schedule network modeling under the conditions of directive restrictions is the opportunity to see the real picture of the project. Without this, it is impossible to manage risks and make informed decisions.

Just as in medicine it is impossible to begin treatment without diagnosis, so in project management it is impossible to effectively solve problems without having an objective picture of the current state. The schedule network model provides this picture, and critical chains indicate specific points of effort.