Integrated Project Management

Adjustments

When the project plan timeline and costs have been presented to the sponsor, the sponsor frequently requests adjustments. The timeline may run too long, the budget too high, or both may require downward adjustments. The detailed Gantt chart with its accompanying cost chart is the tool for making such adjustments.

Note: One adjustment method will not work; it cuts time and costs out of key tasks without lowering the expectations of the project outcomes. Doing so will always create the counter-productive result that sponsor expectations will not be met. Adjustments to meet customer needs can be made, but they must always respect the integrity of the Gantt chart.

If the project sponsor requests that both time and costs must be reduced, ...