Chapter 4
Identifying Project Schedule Risk
“Work expands so as to fill the timeavailable for its completion.”—C. NORTHCOTE PARKINSON, PARKINSON’S LAW
Although Parkinson’s observation was not backed up with any empirical data, its truth is rarely questioned. It seems particularly appropriate for technical projects, because in addition to all the obvious reasons that people have for using up the time available to complete their work, on technical projects there is an additional reason. Most people who are drawn to technical projects are analytical, and they like to be precise, accurate, and thorough. If there is time available to attempt to make something perfect, most engineers will try.
Projects, however, are rarely about perfection. They are ...
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