Buffer me, Boss!

A major cause of depression and disappointment when completing a project is not allowing enough buffer time at the task, milestone, and project levels. Buffer time is not about creating an excuse for procrastination or rewarding project members with extra time. Instead, it’s about adding realistic flexibility to reflect the true complexity of the work involved.

When discussing buffer time and its importance, remember that a project’s success can depend significantly on these time allowances. At the task level, buffer time requires careful analysis of the task itself, the task owner’s role, company culture, and the broader context in which they operate. This complexity highlights the project manager’s need to understand each of these factors well to make informed decisions about time allocation.

Detail and Precision: Just as precision in assembling small bricks ensures a stable wall, careful selection and allocation of buffer time at each task level will create a strong project foundation. Properly chosen buffer time reflects the thoroughness applied to each task and ultimately impacts the project’s overall organization and success. When time estimates are accurate, especially for tasks on the critical path, there’s less chance of delay affecting the whole project. Minor mistakes in early time estimation can lead to larger issues later on.

Milestone Buffer Time: Adding buffer time to milestones provides additional value. It allows team members to handle parallel responsibilities, support others, or focus on additional demands without halting progress. This buffer can be critical for reaching milestones efficiently and maintaining momentum.

Project-Level Buffer Time: Finally, project-level buffer time accommodates the overall complexity of the project and reflects robust risk management. This time can allow for contingencies, quality improvements, or even minor milestone adjustments, especially in Agile environments where flexibility in the project lifecycle is crucial.

In Summary: Buffer time is a realistic assessment that requires in-depth analysis of each feature involved in a project. By setting appropriate buffer times, project managers can safeguard the completion timeline and improve the project’s chances of success.