26 Nov 2008

Time Management in Today’s World

by Soma

So, I think of writing here everyday and remember promising myself that I will write 2 articles a month.

I haven’t. I come back to the site and see articles everywhere and I am lost. Amidst so much information am not sure what I can write about. I am far from being an expert on project management; Iam simply trying to be one.

After a while I wonder how people manage their time and do so much within the same 24 hours. I am reading “Beyond Code”, a book by Rajesh Setty and its fascinating because the author talks about how time is the equalizer- everyone has their share of 24 hours and how you use it, makes you different.

Bingo-Time Management it is. It is something all of us (aspiring project managers) should know. I read quite a few site and blogs and come across lots of people like Elizabeth Harrin writing in more than one site. Amazing I tell myself- how on earth do they have the time to do so much?

So, here’s my list of things every aspiring Project Manager should do-

  • Network- You can save time by not having to physically meet people, use social networking sites and blogs. An email, IM and a phone call can be your time saving answer to the old world- drive and meet for lunch.
  • Be well read- I think it’s important and I have been reading like crazy for the last months. There are no shortcuts to reading I guess, however you always don’t have to walk to the library to get hold of a book. Apart from ordering online, blogs/sites (like this one) are a great way to enhance your knowledge. Some authors give away the free version of download-able books in their site or blogs ( That is how I read Beyond Code).
  • Ask questions- More you read and understand more questions you all have. Clarify your doubts; email your mentor, ask your seniors or sms your friend.
  • Have a mentor- I swear by this all the time, it really helps. They are the ones who will inspire you when you think the worlds going down. With web happening now, you can have a mentor anywhere in the world and a quick email or a phone call is enough to keep you going or get some great advice.

I think it’s important to know what to do then how to do it. If you know one you will get to the other. No doubts about that.

(Picture: Google Images)

pmStudent e-Learning
  • chrisfoya
    Critical Path schedules the tasks and tries to find the required resources to accomplish the task while Critical Chain schedules around the available resources. However, both are dependent on effective procurement and suppliers. Problems can arise if proper resources are not available at the right time. The critical chain method will require more time to get tasks accomplished and may cause project overruns. The critical path method can use the slack in the schedule to help accelerate lagging schedules in other paths. In the other hand, Critical Chain schedules can be met quickly for resources are focused on tasks at hand. It uses buffers at the path intersections and recesses between project end and project to protect schedules. When the slack in the critical path method is wisely used, the schedule will be eventually protected. An astute use of the buffers is move intended to make up for the tight scheduling and strategic accounting of the slack. If crashing would be needed in the process would be better that the buffers are at the beginning than at the ends of paths of the project because crashing could prove difficult towards the end of a project. Consequently, such eventuality could result in project overruns. However, in the course of time the Critical Path will change many times in the Critical Chain method Due to the methods of task estimation between critical path (deterministic) and critical chain (probabilistic), although this may add to the length of the project. Naturally, the critical path method appears to be the better of the two methods.
  • Hi Elizabeth,

    Thanks for pointing out! So right about that.
  • And prioritise! That's the only way you get through the day :)
  • Bill- Thank you for your comments.
    Alex- I am glad you liked it, appreciate your comments.
  • great article! it's nice to see some personality in your project management discussions. It's interesting to apply the basic principles of pm to personal dealings. Looking forward to reading more!

    Alex
    PM Blog
  • Good information about PERSONAL Time Management which should be distinguished from PROJECT Time management.
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