philcorb wrote on Mar 9th, 2012, 1:17am:Loose-electron, you make a very good point about the 'impossible schedule' versus 'no slip schedule' approches. Is is ever possible to have a 'no slip' schedule? Does this approach work? What needs to be in place for it to work well? Is there benefit from the 'impossible schedule'? Can it ever be helpful, for example increasing speed/productivity?
The no schedule slip methods require that you know what you are doing as a manager, assign realistic deadlines, well defined and frequent milestones, allow some revision/respin in the schedule and meet those milestones.
You meet all the milestones in a series of smaller goals.
No exceptions, no excuses, no "it can wait"
Since the goals are smaller, then its more realistic.
To do that requires somebody in the room that knows what they are doing (did I say that already?
![Smiley Smiley](https://designers-guide.org/forum/Templates/Forum/default/smiley.gif)
) and is the rare exception and not the usual course of action.
Oh, and you got a milestone due on Monday, and you finished and everyone is happy with it on Thursday? Enjoy your three day weekend.
Oh, and you got a milestone due on Monday and its not looking ready on Friday afternoon? Looks like you are working Saturday (and Sunday) if needed.
It works, but its not how most of the world does things.