Guide: Critical Chain Project Management
Critical Chain Project Management (CCPM) is a method of planning and managing projects that aims to increase the speed and efficiency of project execution. It is based on the principles of Theory of Constraints which focuses on managing project uncertainties in a proactive and structured manner.
Importance of CCPM: It is important because it helps to deal with uncertainties in project scheduling, to minimize negative impacts of multi-tasking and over allocation of resources, and to focus on the efficient execution of a project.
CCPM emphasizes on buffer management rather than deadline driven work.
Working of CCPM: CCPM works by focusing on the project’s critical chain – the sequence of both precedence- and resource-dependent tasks. To manage the unknown, CCPM uses buffers that protect the project from delays. The critical chain creates a project schedule by prioritizing resources and eliminating multi-tasking.
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on CCPM
- Understand the concepts: Understand thoroughly the concepts of critical chain, buffers - project buffer, feeding buffers and resource buffer. Understand how CCPM deals with resource conflicts and risks.
- Buffer Management: Study buffer management and understand how it is different and possibly more efficient than traditional deadline driven work.
- Practice: Answer as many CCPM related questions as you can to familiarize yourself with the types of questions that can be asked in the exam.