Expert Answer
Successful project management is about managing resources to get the deliverables. TIME and BUDGET management are the 2 main things which should be controlled in best possible way to execute the project and its deliverables.
TIME or SCHEDULE CONTROL is generally more important. Every project has milestones and to acheleive these milestones, activities are dependent on each other. If the timing of one such activity fails, other acitivies will be impacted and therefore milestones would be impacted. As a result, the delay in project completion is expected.
Any delay or change in preceeding activity will most likely impact the succeesing activity. And this will not impact only time but the cost may also be affected.
Example-
I was project manager for a short term project. In this project, the identity card of around 2000 persons had to readied within a month. There were 2 work stations and therefore 2 manpower deployed. Om workstation 1, individuals’ details were captured and saved. This activity was live. On workstation 2, the machine printed the captured data on workstation 1 on a card. For worstation 2, plastic cards and ribbons were required.
I was closely monitoring that we have 100-120 in queue everyday because that was the capacity of workstation 1 and also keeping in minf the volume and the dealine. I also ensured that the data captured by workstation 1 is transferred to workstation 2 periodically everyday to print the card. The intent was to ensure that both worktations are giving output continuusly. I used to personally check the output of both machines daily in the evening.
As a result, we were able to complete the project before time.