Uncertainty and Project Management Beyond the Critical...

UNCERTAINTY AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT: BEYOND THE CRITICAL PATH MENTALITY Arnoud De Meyer1), Christoph H. Loch2), Michael T. Pich3) 1) Professor of Technology Management, INSEAD (arnoud.de.meyer@insead.edu.sg) 2) Associate Professor of Technology Management, INSEAD (christoph.loch@insead.fr) 3) Assistant Professor of Technology Management, INSEAD (michael.pich@insead.edu.sg) Keywords: project management, uncertainty, project profiles Abstract Project management is often identified with network planning techniques such as PERT, Critical Path Methods, Gantt Charts, etc. These techniques help us to cope with the management of complexity in a project. But projects are often confronted with a high level of†¦show more content†¦The final twenty percent is driving the site and keeping track of what is really happening out there. The Gantt chart is more a reflection of what happened last week, and what someone hopes will happen next week. †¦ The problem is that every play we run is an option play (and the Gantt chart fails to reflect that).† This reaction is typical for many of the project managers with whom we interacted. They don’t find the existing formal planning techniques very useful – the critical path method (CPM, PERT) and a plethora of heuristics, algorithms and concepts elaborating it. They dutifully draw the critical path, refer to it for formal performance review meetings, but often pay more attention to other factors. This may, of course, not always be the case: sometimes the Gantt chart is indeed the bible by which the project is managed. The problem faced by project managers is recognizing which approach is appropriate for the particular project at hand. Should they strictly enforce the discipline inherent in critical path thinking or should they adopt a more ‘contingent’ style of management, utilizing a set of tools and techniques better suited to the particular characteristics of the project? There are few guides to inform the project manager in this important decision. Managers are left to their intuition as to which methods and style of management to choose. The pressure to adopt the discipline ofShow MoreRelatedA Critique of the Critical Chain Approach to Project Management3777 Words   |  16 PagesCourse in Operations Management ASSIGNMENT 1: â€Å"A CRITIQUE OF THE CRITICAL CHAIN APPROACH TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT† 3,000 words excluding reference list and summary for Dr. Tom Mullen Anthony C Mould October 2003 Reprinted with the kind permission of Anthony C Moulds. This essay should be viewed as an example of a well written, structured, referenced and argued assignment. 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The Rise Of The Jacksonian Era - 1540 Words

The Jacksonian Era was often described as a time of â€Å"democratization of politics† in the United States. However, democracy, at this time, was only defined as equality and justice for white males. There were improvements that benefited the common people, such as universal male suffrage, but these excluded women, Africans, Indians, and the rest of the population in the country. In addition, Andrew Jackson was not very democratic as he violated the Constitution and used the authority of the government for his personal issues. Meanwhile, today’s American society is a true democracy because every citizen, despite sex and race, is protected and given equal rights and opportunities. Back then, the United States did not achieve true democratization because there was not equality among all the people and Andrew Jackson abused his power as president. One major improvement in the United States during the Jacksonian Era was the expansion of voting rights. In document one, th e map showed that all the states, except Kentucky and Vermont, permitted voting rights only to tax-paying landowners in 1800. By the time of the Election of 1828, in which Andrew Jackson was elected president, states removed their restrictions and all white men were allowed to vote. As a result, there appeared a significant increase in the number of voters and political participation. The common men were also able to hold public offices as they became more elective than appointive. Indeed, the universal maleShow MoreRelatedEssay about The Jacksonian Era1638 Words   |  7 PagesThree specific ways in which American expansion shaped the Jacksonian period was through the advancement of technology, by way of slavery, and the Indian Removal Act. Jackson used any political and economic means necessary in order to see American frontier regions expand across the nation. Jackson’s Indian Removal policy had some of the most important consequences and paved the way toward American ex pansion. In the beginning of the Jacksonian era, colonial Americans’ settlements had not yet extended farRead MoreThe Jacksonian Democratic Party1423 Words   |  6 Pagesprivileges†, he called for a party to become the sentinel of the original American democracy. And for many, the Jacksonian Democratic Party filled that role. The Democrats, who pursued a democracy that entailed economic and social independence for the common citizen, faced harsh opposition from the Whig Party in the Second American Party System. But apart from the political tensions of the era, the mid-1800’s were host to numerous movements and events that embodied, and didn’t embody, the DemocraticRead MoreAndrew Jackson s Impact On The American History1142 Words   |  5 PagesIndians in Alabama. 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All the candidates were Democratic-Republican, but that didn’t seem to weigh heavily on the outcome of the election of 1824. The two front runners were John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson that would be decided by the House of Representatives because of the Twelve Amendment to the Constitution states the House will decide by majorityRead MoreAndrew Jackson Vs. Jacksonian Democracy1142 Words   |  5 PagesUsing the third chapter of The American Political Tradition analyzes the career of Andrew Jackson and the concept of â€Å"Jacksonian Democracy.† and other source materials. I will compare and contract Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson. They both being influential political figures in two very different eras. Each formed their own democracy that helped shape the way we think about American government. Consequently, they had their differences, yet they also had their similarities. From many viewpoints

Khajuraho free essay sample

Once a great chandela capital, Khajuraho is now a quiet village. The town of exotic temples, Khajuraho is one of Indias major honeymoon attractions. They are Indias unique gift to the world, representing a melody to life,which encompasses all emotions ranging from love, to joy. Life, in every form and mood, has been captured in stone, testifying not only to the craftsmans artistry but also to the extraordinary breadth of vision of the Chandela kings. What to see The architecture of the temples are unique, being very different from the temple prototype of their period. The erotic carvings of temples, make it a must-see. Originally there were 85 temples, but many were destroyed by the British. Today, only 22 are in fair condition. Temples Khajuraho temple complex site is one the most popular places both foreign and Indian tourists. Temples of Khajuraho hold the attention of a visitor with their sculptural art, which is so exquisite and intricate, that one cannot even dream of cloning it now. We will write a custom essay sample on Khajuraho or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The artists creative instincts have beautifully captured various facets and moods of life in stone. The temples at Khajuraho are divided into three broad groups: †¢The Western Group It is the largest, compact and centrally located group in Khajuraho, includes some of the most prominent monuments, built by the Chandela rulers. The Lakshmana Temple, the Matangesvara Temple and the Varaha Temple form one complex and the Visvanatha and Nandi temples are not far from this complex. †¢The Eastern Group It comprises of five detached sub-groups in and around the present village of Khajuraho. The eastern group of monuments, situated in close proximity to the Khajuraho village, includes three Brahmanical temples known as Brahma, Vamana and Javari and three Jain temples, the Ghantai, Adinath and Parsvanath. †¢The Southern Group It is the most distant one comprising of two main monuments near and across the Khudarnala. The southern group of monuments comprises the Duladeo and the Chaturbhuja temples. The Duladeo is about a kilometre south of the Khajuraho village and half a mile southwest of the Jain group of temples. The Chaturbhuja Temple is a mile further south and is close to the Khajuraho airport. Dance Festival Visitors are also drawn to a dance festival, celebrated in March, which attracts some of the best classical dancers in the country the floodlit temples provide a spectacular backdrop during the event. In a setting where the earthly and the divine create perfect harmony, it is a spectacular event that celebrates the pure magic of the rich classical dance traditions of India.