Add New Project – General Guidelines and Best Practice

Introductory Video: Building Project Networks – Best Practice #

This video provides a general overview. After viewing the video, we suggest you review the following steps

The general steps to create a project in Exepron are as follows: #

1. Log in to Exepron: Open your web browser and navigate to the Exepron login page. Enter your login credentials to access your account.
2. Click on the Projects tab: Once logged in, click the Projects tab in the top navigation bar.
3. Click on the New Project button: Click the New Project button on the Projects page to start creating a new project.
4. Enter Project Details: In the New Project form, enter the Project Name, Project Objective, Due Date, and any other relevant project details in Notes, Links, and Lists.
5. Add Tasks:
   1. Start with the End on Mind and apply the logic of the necessary condition starting on the right side. Add predecessor Tasks by ‘Dragging and Dropping‘ from each Successor Task.
   2. Use existing Templates or Template Blocks to create a new project from existing Best Practices.
6. Add Resource Types to Tasks and Determine Task Durations: The assigned Resource Type Quantity will determine the Task Duration.
7. Set Milestones: Set Task milestones to trigger necessary Actions on completing a specific Task. i.e., Material delivery can trigger an email for progressive payment.
8. Add Project Documents: Attach URLs to any relevant project documents or files, such as project plans, specifications, work instructions, or reports to any Task.
9. Exepron Auto-Saves Projects in Planning PERT as each Task is added.
10. Critical Chain Schedule (CCPM): Run the CCPM Schedule and review project Risk (PRQ), Project Duration, and acceptable Due Date.
11. Accept the Project: Click the Accept button.
12. Pipeline the Project: Exepron’s Dynamic Drum feature will staggered projects in Pipeline Status to conduct “What-If” and Resource Loading assessment.
13. Start the Project: Click the Start Button for the Project in the Portfolio Dashboard.

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Best Practice – Building Project Networks: #

1. This creates shorter chains of dependency with more Tasks in parallel.
2. The probability of missing Tasks is remote.
3. Dependencies will have greater integrity.
4. The tasks will have a higher probability of being in the correct sequence.

1. What is Necessary (to achieve the Successor)?
2. Is this Sufficient (are there more Task required to ahieve the Successor)?
3. Is the task description Clear (will PMs, Resources and Managers understand the deliverable 6 months from now)?

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Task Durations Best Practice: #

1. PARTIAL RESOURCE ALLOCATION on Tasks. To improve the accuracy of the Resource allocation, estimate, and resource loading predictions. The Resource Managers and Subject Experts (Task Experts) should allocate the partial resource % on Tasks and Task Durations based on resources having:
   1. Right Equipment available,
   2. Average worker skills,
   3. Space to Work,
   4. Clear instruction & Specification,
   5. All Material Available,
   6. NO Interference during execution,
   7. No additional Safety or Contingency time in the Tasks.
2. TASK DURATIONS have no SAFETY TIME.
   During Execution: this lean tight Task duration, immediatly signal any Task slippage, and the Buffers and PRQ become very sensitive and send Early Warning signals to promote Proactive Management.
3. Subject Matter Experts / Task Experts should check that the Task Dependencies are realistic and in the correct sequence.

Embracing Parallel Construction in Project Planning #

The “Project Planning: Sequential vs. Parallel Construction” module explains two foundational project network construction approaches and why Parallel Construction is a superior method for project planning, mainly when applied under guidance using intelligent applications like Exepron.

Parallel Construction stands out due to its backward planning approach, starting with the end goal and working towards the beginning. This methodology enables project managers to:

1. Increase Throughput: Parallel Construction reduces the total network length and minimizes the project duration compared to the Sequential approach, which tends to plan many more Tasks in series.

2. Reduce Risks: It diminishes the risk of overlooking tasks since it forces planners to think about the final objectives and necessary conditions for every Task’s achievement. This is especially true when Subject Matter Experts are used to check the logic and practicality of the planned network.

3. Improve Integrity: Parallel Construction promotes more substantial dependency integrity, ensuring that each task is logically connected to its successor as a necessary condition. The Critical Chain Project Management Method forces practical dependency and prohibits circular logic. Planning in Spreadsheets and other popular Gantt charts allows incomplete dependency and circular logic.

4. Promotes Network Rigour: Allowing Subject matter experts to check the logic from right to left with predecessor Tasks as Necessary Conditions to achieving each Successor Task. This forces a rigorous planning check on the practicality and correctness of task sequencing.

The module convincingly argues that project managers can construct a more robust, efficient, and adaptive project network by using the parallel construction method. In doing so, the likelihood of project delays is reduced, task dependencies are improved, and projects are set up for a higher probability of successful, on-time completion.

Incorporating the Necessary Condition Technique further solidifies the structure of project networks, ensuring that each task is justified and essential for the achievement of the project’s end goal.

The theoretical knowledge is included in Exepron’s project compilation intelligence. By turning theory into practical skills and applying Parallel Construction in real-world project scenarios, Exepron is utilized to its fullest potential for superiour project management outcomes.