A PDF copy of a Project Schedule is a simple document that displays the activities, WBS, Project’s Key Dates and critical activities. Although the planner is responsible for Planning and Scheduling but the PM is ultimate accountable person to deliver the Project as per the contract and specs. Therefore, he/she should know more about the Schedule, assumptions, logics, etc. and should be able to ask the right questions. Some of the questions that a PM should ask are as follows:
Core Structural Questions
The Schedule Log: Your Quick Health Check
The Schedule Log provides a statistical snapshot of activity health. PMs should request this view after every update to identify missing logic or constraints.
Hidden Risks: Leads and Lags
Lags are "invisible" activities. Overusing them often leads to confusion—even for the planner. PMs should demand a Lead and Lag Report to ensure every delay has a documented, valid reason.
Non-Negotiable Indicators
- Zero Negative Float: A Baseline or re-baseline schedule should never contain negative float.
- Path Transparency: Regular reports on the Critical Path, Float Path, and Longest Path are essential for risk mitigation.
These are the typical reports that every project manager has to ask from project planners and project manager should be able to interpret them correctly. The Planning System and Schedule are the Project’s property, not exclusively the Planner’s. Therefore, the PM should guide the team to support the Planning team in development of the Project’s Planning System.
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