Dealing with Insufficient Time on a Project

A.

When a project team member reports that there is insufficient time to complete tasks on schedule, the project manager should take the following FIRST step:

B. Review the task start and finish dates.

Explanation:

Reviewing the task start and finish dates will help the project manager to identify the specific tasks that are behind schedule and evaluate whether the task deadlines are realistic or not. This step will help the project manager to assess the situation accurately and identify the root cause of the problem before taking further steps.

After reviewing the task start and finish dates, the project manager can take additional steps, such as:

• Analyzing the assigned hours: The project manager can evaluate the amount of time assigned to each task and determine whether it is sufficient to complete the work on schedule. If not, the project manager may need to consider reassigning tasks or adjusting the schedule.

• Obtaining additional resources: If the tasks are behind schedule due to a lack of resources, the project manager may need to obtain additional resources, such as staff, equipment, or materials, to ensure that the work can be completed on time.

• Assessing the risk register's new items: If the tasks are behind schedule due to unforeseen events or risks, the project manager may need to review the project's risk register to identify any new risks or assess the impact of existing risks on the project schedule.

In summary, reviewing the task start and finish dates is the FIRST step the project manager should take when a team member reports that there is insufficient time to complete tasks on schedule. This step will help the project manager to identify the root cause of the problem and determine the best course of action to get the project back on track.