I have been reading the Cutter IT Journal from March 2003, when they ran a special issue on Critical Chain Project Management. I wanted to share this especially salient point. I don’t know how to help my clients understand this, particularly because my clients usually find themselves behind the eight-ball and in desperate need of this advice.

If we are serious about speed, we must understand what is required for people to “go faster.” We are not asking them to work faster! We are asking them to wait, to rest, and then work at full speed. And then rest again. Our strategy is to remove all the obstacles that cause them delay and to recognize that relay runners don’t run at full speed all day. They are not “fully utilized” because full utilization of resources is inefficient for speed. For our people to do tasks faster, we must reduce their workload and lower their utilization. This is not a sacrifice for the organization, it is the means for substantially greater project throughput. For our people to do tasks faster, we must reduce their workload and lower their utilization.

How do I help them understand? Click the Discuss link to give me your suggestions.

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