Johanna Urges You to Plan for Unanticipated Events

by Hal on September 30, 2006

in PM practice, project planning

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It wasn't a happy time for Johanna Rothman this week. She hurt herself in the kitchen making tea. She needed to visit the ER for 4 stitches on her head. She seems to be all right. Typical of Johanna, the injury produced a project lesson, Unanticipated Events Screw Up Schedules. Reading only the subject I thought of the local paper reporting Dog Bites Man. I almost skipped her posting. Glad I didn't.

Always knowing where you'll find response capacity is critical to being able to keep your project commitments.

In the winter in the Northeast we can anticipate snow, sleet, and ice. We don't know exactly when it will occur, but except for the most unusual winters, we know we will incur weather that leads to delays. While we don't put snow "on the schedule", we can add a contingency for snow somewhere "in the plan".

Then there are events like needing 4 stitches that we don't anticipate. In some settings these unanticipated events can have serious impacts on our schedules. When deadlines are important contingencies become critical, especially when those deadlines are tight. Always knowing where you'll find response capacity is critical to being able to keep your project commitments.

Thanks Johanna for reminding us. And do be careful making tea.


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