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This is a great talk so far. Does anyone have any [text]book recommendations for "mathematically mature" Project Management (i.e., project management theory th

This is a great talk so far. Does anyone have any [text]book recommendations for "mathematically mature" Project Management (i.e., project management theory that doesn't shy away from using math to demonstrate its points, if needed)?

maroonblazer 8y ago
Goldratt's "Critical Chain" work is the closest I've seen to 'mathematically mature' project management. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_chain_project_management https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_chain_project_managem...
Jtsummers 8y ago
Deming’s work is another good source along with Goldratt.
efm 8y ago
Critical Path Method + Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT). Figure out the shortest path to the goal (critical path) then figure out the most likely timeline, by applying a probability distribution to the weights of each connection. This highlights the truth that reducing variance is a huge factor in improving the quality of forecasts.
mitchtbaum 8y ago
Change Management studies cover this aspect, I believe https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Change_management_(engineering) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Change_management_(engineering...
triggercut 8y ago
For probabilistic scheduling you could look at software like @Risk by Palisade. Effectively applying Monte Carlo simulation to schedules. You provide a distribution around the level of effort or duration required to complete a task/activity in your precedence network/graph. What you get after enough runs is a probability or likelihood of completion dates/cost (e.g. P50 or P90 estimates). This is extremely powerful in non-trivial scenarios where you have a properly resourced & cost loaded schedule with logical constraints.
ivanmaeder 8y ago
The question reminds me of this classic chart from "Rapid Development," https://www.construx.com/uploadedImages/Construx/Construx_Content/Resources/Books/Cone01.jpg https://www.construx.com/uploadedImages/Construx/Construx_Co... It's a great reference for project management, but not very math heavy. More math-oriented I'd say: - "How to Measure Anything," although not specific to project management - "The Principles of Product Development Flow." Think of "product" in this context as anything you want made that is unique (not made made repetitively in a factory). E.g., software. There's some queueing theory in there. And although the math isn't always presented, you will get more out of it if you can figure out or understand the math behind the principles

maroonblazer 8y ago

Goldratt's "Critical Chain" work is the closest I've seen to 'mathematically mature' project management. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_chain_project_management https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_chain_project_managem...

Jtsummers 8y ago

Deming’s work is another good source along with Goldratt.

efm 8y ago

Critical Path Method + Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT). Figure out the shortest path to the goal (critical path) then figure out the most likely timeline, by applying a probability distribution to the weights of each connection. This highlights the truth that reducing variance is a huge factor in improving the quality of forecasts.

mitchtbaum 8y ago

Change Management studies cover this aspect, I believe https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Change_management_(engineering) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Change_management_(engineering...

triggercut 8y ago

For probabilistic scheduling you could look at software like @Risk by Palisade. Effectively applying Monte Carlo simulation to schedules. You provide a distribution around the level of effort or duration required to complete a task/activity in your precedence network/graph. What you get after enough runs is a probability or likelihood of completion dates/cost (e.g. P50 or P90 estimates). This is extremely powerful in non-trivial scenarios where you have a properly resourced & cost loaded schedule with logical constraints.

ivanmaeder 8y ago

The question reminds me of this classic chart from "Rapid Development," https://www.construx.com/uploadedImages/Construx/Construx_Content/Resources/Books/Cone01.jpg https://www.construx.com/uploadedImages/Construx/Construx_Co... It's a great reference for project management, but not very math heavy. More math-oriented I'd say: - "How to Measure Anything," although not specific to project management - "The Principles of Product Development Flow." Think of "product" in this context as anything you want made that is unique (not made made repetitively in a factory). E.g., software. There's some queueing theory in there. And although the math isn't always presented, you will get more out of it if you can figure out or understand the math behind the principles