W2.01_MaryKentebe_GAO scheduling best practice vs Company Standards: Oil & Gas sector

1.   Problem Statement

Over the years, the devastating state of schedule overruns in the oil and gas industry has become a chronic menace in the industry. Essentially, the issue is that most standard form construction contracts neither promote nor encourage efficient time management. More so, because the project controls discipline is relatively new to the industry, it is still a trouble finding the footing of what works best for the planning and scheduling practice. Hence the need for the comparison between what is referred to as scheduling best practices and industry standards.

2.      Feasible Alternatives

In tackling the issue of standardization on planning and scheduling practices, I shall be comparing the GAO scheduling  best practices with the Capital scheduling and schedule Management Project guide 04 (company’s standard). This comparison will be done using basically the SWOT analysis tool and the TOWS analysis tool. Hence three derivatives can be the outcome of this comparison. These are:

·                     The Company is doing better than best practice

·                     The Company is complying to best practice

·                     The Company falls short of best practice.

Depending therefore on what the outcome is, the conclusion may be a recommendation to review best practice, a recommendation to review company standards, or just a conclusion that company is in alignment with GAO best practices.

      3.      Develop the outcomes for each alternative

To make an informed decision on the two comparatives I need to know what the GAO scheduling best practices are and to understand the company’s scheduling procedures as well. I need to also understand the weaknesses and strengths of both practices and determine the opportunities, advantages and risks that accrue to them.

My criteria for determining the better of both practices would then be in their workability in achieving consistently, flawless delivery of projects within budget and on schedule

4.    Acceptable Criteria

      A satisfactory result will be one that gives maximum benefit to project plans, guaranteeing timely delivery of projects within budget.

5.      Analysis and comparison of the alternatives

      Under listed are some of the practices of the GAO schedule best practice and the company practice

GAO

•  Captures all activities
• Sequences all activities
• Assigns resources to all activities
• Establishes the duration of all activities
• Integrates schedule activities horizontally and vertically
• Establishes the critical path for all activities
• Identifies reasonable float between activities
• Conducts a schedule risk analysis
• Updates the schedule using logic and duration to determine the dates

Company Standards

·         Ensures ownership of schedule from all parties

·         Recognizes project contractual requirements

• Establishes the critical path for all activities
• Updates the schedule using logic and physical progress to determine the date

·         Schedule control is dependent on contract type

·         Clear schedule objectives are communicated

·         Schedule management and analysis tool, using approve risk analysis software

·         Manages interfaces

6.      Select the preferred alternative

Based on the above processes, it will be noticed that both practices are almost at par, with the GAO best practices having a slightly higher edge than Company standards. This would be analyzed further in my paper using the SWOT analyses tool.

7.      Performance Monitoring & Post Evaluation of Result

Consistence evidence of timely delivery will be my success factor.

References

1.     Acumen www.projectacumen.com (July 15, 2012) Titled: GAO Scheduling Best Practices Retrieved from http://www.projectacumen.com/privacy-policy/

2.      Alan Chapman / Business balls (1995-2012) Titled: SWOT analysis method and examples, with free SWOT template Retrieved from  http://www.businessballs.com/swotanalysisfreetemplate.htm

3.     J.Yeo/P.vd Zijden & C.West/ F.Weyn (August 2009) Titled: Project Planning Procedure: Integrated Project Planning. Retrieved from Project Standards and Guides.url