In the complex world of project management, where stakes are high and margins for error are low, the ability to anticipate, identify, and effectively correct delays is essential for success. Delay analysis plays a central role in this process, enabling project managers and legal teams to make informed decisions to keep projects on track.
This article explores the significance of delay analysis as a tool to clarify uncertainties, highlighting best practices for proactive management and strategic redirection by project management towards the client.
Understanding the Origins of Schedule Impacts
Delays in projects can occur for various reasons, ranging from incomplete initial planning that fails to facilitate decision-making, unforeseen scope changes by any party, issues related to the project’s geotechnics, to underestimation of necessary resources.
A thorough analysis of delays not only identifies their causes but also understands their impact on the entire project based on a deserved schedule. This includes analyzing interdependencies between different tasks and how a delay in one can impact the overall progress of the project.
Tools and Methods of Analysis
Modern project management technologies, such as Primavera P6, Oracle Primavera Cloud, and Tilos for linear scheduling, offer advanced features for delay analysis.
These tools allow for the extraction of useful information for event analysis from their databases. In some cases, this information is extracted into simplified spreadsheets, like Excel, for a clear understanding of events.
The methods of delay analysis depend on the quality of information provided by the clients.
Strategies for Mitigating and Negotiating Delays
Once the causes and impacts of delays are understood, it is crucial to develop and implement strategies for mitigating and negotiating these impacts with the client.
This can include the resequencing of tasks, proposing new improved phasing to optimize the scheduling of critical project tasks based on renegotiation of deadlines with clients and suppliers. Flexibility and adaptability are key, requiring effective coordination and communication among all stakeholders, including the Steering Committee.
Training and Skills in Delay Analysis
Delay analysis requires specific skills and a deep understanding of the methods deployed in project management. Companies can benefit from customized training programs to ensure their project managers and legal teams are well-equipped to anticipate and manage delays effectively.
Conclusion
Given the complexity of projects and the difficulty of meeting contractual commitments, delay analysis is an indispensable component to defend the interests of the holders or clients (Project Owners).
80% of complex, large-scale projects are subject to delay analyses. These analyses are essential for informing strategic reorientation for each stakeholder.
Support from experts can significantly assist in producing a defense argument in the form of claim reports. Thus, maximizing the chances of success by transforming the challenges posed by delays into opportunities for project optimization.
