Project Management question

[J. Mark]

How many of you have some system to keep your project on track?

I've started making a list of all the things that need to be done and then grouping them into manageable divisions that make sense ie. anything with resin work is grouped together; tasks are put in order to eliminate hold ups and so on and so forth.

For me it has helped me to not get distracted and start working on something because I see it, but rather to focus on what I need to get to the next set of tasks.

I'm curious if others do something similar.

I had 5 tasks on my list for last night-I got two done, but I did a lot of basement/shop cleaning instead. Nothing on the list til Saturday, so hopefully I can sneak out in the evening and get caught up.

 

[chrishayes]

Re: Project Management question

LOL, sure, I have a managment system...1 Budlight=.5 hours of work its all pretty complicated math from there!

Really, it is pretty strange for me as I am a project manager for an electrical outfit. So my day job requires me to keep a schedule updated using Primavera systems inc scheduling software, but for some reason, when I get home I just do whatever doesnt sound to bad to do that particular hour...

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: Project Management question

Project management, uh ya - sure. How about: "I'm about sick of working on fiberglass and want to get this crap over with!"?

Basically, just order what I need ahead of time so I have supplies and parts when I get to that step.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Project Management question

Of course I do...
even when I go to the grocery store, I map the aisle to my list and always make sure that the last thing I get is ice cold beer..
I have seen people wondering aimlessly throughout the store, with beer in the cart.
I have calculated that they on average waste 12.3 minutes of their life double tracking their steps! And they have warm beer to boot...



Honestly no..BUT I do have an excel workbook of things that need to be done and my est $$$$$...

 

[sschefer]

Re: Project Management question

How many of you have some system to keep your project on track?

I've started making a list of all the things that need to be done and then grouping them into manageable divisions that make sense ie. anything with resin work is grouped together; tasks are put in order to eliminate hold ups and so on and so forth.

For me it has helped me to not get distracted and start working on something because I see it, but rather to focus on what I need to get to the next set of tasks.

I'm curious if others do something similar.

I had 5 tasks on my list for last night-I got two done, but I did a lot of basement/shop cleaning instead. Nothing on the list til Saturday, so hopefully I can sneak out in the evening and get caught up.

Yes, in fact it only takes one boat to figure out how much time you waste waiting for other stuff to happen.

Some people might wonder why I'm painting my boat last. Simple, when its up on stands I can't get inside and work on the interior and it's also off the trailer which is perfect because instead of watching paint dry I'm fixing the trailer.

Restoring a boat is a fine balancing act where everything you do has to be done in some sort of order or you'll either waste a lot of time waiting or worse, you'll end up tearing out stuff.

 

[BWR1953]

Re: Project Management question

...Honestly no..BUT I do have an excel workbook of things that need to be done and my est $$$$$...

Yep, it's all about the Benjamins and dead presidents. Having limited resources myself, I tend to do things on paper well in advance of actually getting my hands dirty. That could also be due to my engineering and project management background. At least by doing things on paper, I can see where progress can be made once materials, tools, help, etc. are on hand.

Starting work BEFORE having resources available can lead to discouragement or abandonement if a partially disassembled boat sits around for months or even years at a time. Craigslist is full of such stories.

YMMV.

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: Project Management question

Make a list of what you need, order the stuff, then gut the hull. Within a week you should have everything gutted and your supplies should be in.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Project Management question

I use Microsoft Project to manage project at work. So I use it for the boat projects too. Lets me group tasks, track prices, and I like being able to insert web links to the products I need to buy.

It rolls up the cost, so I have a running tally of how much it cost.

Works for me!

 

[sschefer]

Re: Project Management question

I use Microsoft Project to manage project at work. So I use it for the boat projects too. Lets me group tasks, track prices, and I like being able to insert web links to the products I need to buy.

It rolls up the cost, so I have a running tally of how much it cost.

Works for me!

I just put up a new project server for the project managers (me included) at work. We like it for all the reasons you mention. I didn't use it for my boats, I just drew a simple chart and hung it on the wall.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Project Management question

Make a list of what you need, order the stuff, then gut the hull. Within a week you should have everything gutted and your supplies should be in.

if you are like me then get the stuff you didn't realize you would need or didn't get enough of. I pretty much wing it.

 

[J. Mark]

Re: Project Management question

Much of the way I have just done what I felt like. Easy enough to do and move along . . . up to a point.

As I have my self imposed deadline approaching, I have found that if I don't try and coordinate my work, I have unfinished jobs getting in the way of other things I need to get done.

I made a list of the top 20 things I need to get done and broke that down in to a three session work schedule. I'm already behind

But at least it got me thinking about what i had to get done to fire the motor up. There are a few tasks I don't like in the way (some additional glass work at the transom before I can put the rear floor in to install and mount the gas tank and such)

By making a list, I think I can keep myself focused and moving in the right direction-we'll see.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Project Management question

One thing that saved me some money on shipping costs was to list all the items I needed along with the retailer to order from. That way you can make larger orders and save the cost of piece-meal ordering and the heftier shipping charges that a single item often has over a bulk order of items. I found I ordered from the same 3 retailers, so it was easy to bundle items.

It just sucks to order a $3.00 part and pay $12.00 in shipping.

 

[danond]

Re: Project Management question

I figured someone else could benefit from the organization, so I put up a website and pre-planned all the major steps. So far I've stayed within 15 days of my "go-live" date, set from the beginning 2.5 months ago.

 

[CBGale2]

Re: Project Management question

My project management is I work on it non stop till my wife says "thats all you care or think about is that stupid (fill in project here) ", I stop for a second, tell her, yup, and then I get back too it. I like to call it focused intensity.