IMPACT

Create a schedule

Take regular measurements and use that information to make better decisions along the way.

A project dashboard needs regular updates to be useful. Assign responsibility for taking measurements to share the effort and hold people accountable.

Create a schedule to record what is currently happening and take action based on what you are learning.

Making a dashboard visible and easy to find means everyone is looking at the same information regularly and reporting progress to other key people.

There are different ways to create a schedule. You could:

  • Create a roles and responsibilities matrix

  • Use project management software

  • Set reminders on a calendar

A good approach produces a schedule that:

  • Involves those who will be taking the measurements

  • Eliminates confusion on what to measure and when

  • Plays to the strengths and motivations of the team

  • Corresponds with existing project milestones

  • Enables you to act, and react, quickly

We recommend you:

  • Gather the people responsible for taking measurements

  • Review each of the key measures and check:

    • Can the measurement be taken successfully?

    • Has the measurement been scheduled?

    • Does the responsible person have access to the dashboard to make updates?

  • If the answer to any question is “no”, describe what needs to be done and assign someone to do it

What does creating a schedule look like?

Here is an example of the measures that matter most for a new product in development. The team has agreed on where and when the measurements happen. Roles have been assigned responsibility for the most appropriate measures. The schedule was maintained in a MURAL board.

Go create a schedule to take regular measurements!

 
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