Because the companies know the team does not have capacity to provide adequate support during the execution phase!
Hence the consultancy team starts producing plans, schedules, reports, analysis, etc. When inquired the background / basis of the reports they usually state that they are experts and know how to do it! Here is a typical conversation when we (khonopc) review a planning system that was developed by a consultant:
Round 1: The S-Curve Basis
-
Khono: How did you develop the S-Curve?
"We used a tool." -
Khono: What is the input of the tool?
"We load all activities with their dates, then it generates the curves." -
Khono: If the schedule isn't resource loaded, what is the basis?
"The tool generates it and we don’t know. We use DUMMY resources." - The Reality: If they knew resource loading techniques, they wouldn't need a "dummy" system. (Silence from the consultant).
Round 2: Progress & Reliability
-
Khono: How did Performance% Complete get utilized without resources?
"We assigned a DUMMY resource and made Price/Unit=1. It’s the only choice we have." -
Khono: Why didn’t you load resources?
"It’s not in our scope. Our scope is dashboards and S-Curves." - The Critical Question: How can reliability be improved if the fundamental basis of the system is wrong?
These practices are unethical and structurally unsound. If you use consultants, use the questions above to identify whether they are adding actual value or simply "B.Sing" your project control system.
Discussion
No comments yet. Be the first to share an insight.
Leave a Comment