3) Scalability

“The definition of scalability is the ability of a system, network, or process (in this case a project), to handle a growing amount of work in a capable manner, or its ability to be enlarged to accommodate that growth. Also known as the timing and process scheduling of a project”. (Wikipedia 2012)

This comes under planning however as the vast majority of the planning stage ends after the initiations and group meetings, it should be made certain that the scalability remains maintained, adhered to and altered if necessary throughout the length of the project until the end result.

The scalability should be measured by taking “risk analysis” of all possible outcomes, and have procedures and protocols in place that everyone in the group is aware of. Again this also falls under problem solving section later in this report.

Some of the reasons that projects fall behind schedule, include,

over supervising and under supervising staff and doing jobs that can be automated in this day and age with a computer. (Viera 2005) Although a good manager should be able to balance this well, and create a fair and optimised timetable of work. Managers should also liaise with the client in creating all timescales as this will determine how many hours are needed to be paid for in a financial since. (I.e. an estimate of final costs) The client will also have deadlines to meet of their own, so this is highly important to set right.

An example of a time management and scalability plan could be to make some form of graphs, possibly a Gantt chart, this creates an overall understanding of when all deadlines are, and will greatly increase the team “gelling” to motivate one another through the tasks. However if the schedules are created for each individual it means they can also be more self sufficient (i.e. if a team member is absent or if the manager is not present, work and managerial tasks have already been set so it is not a disaster.)Teamwork is essential but individual self reliance the key to modular success. (Pinto 1986)

Overall estimation of the project requires a process of organising and acquiring data, this may in a very large project be done by independent engineers or subcontractors, in some cases a “Professional Estimator” may be hired. He/She is not involved in the project itself but instead simply looks at all factors related to costs and time. (Field 2007)