AAOM Handbook

WE.30 Can the Scope of Some Task(s) be Varied? Context The primary objectives when executing a Task are to ensure that the work is completed when scheduled, that all required outcomes, specifications and tolerances are achieved in the allocated time, and that the sustainability expectations of the Company are mete. Throughout the execution of the schedule, and the Tasks in it, a check is maintained on both the rate of progress and on achievement of the specified outcomes. If it becomes apparent that the full committed schedule cannot be completed in the available time, and with the resources that can be mobilised, then some work from the schedule will have to be re-scheduled. In such cases an analysis of all of the work remaining on the schedule must be made to determine which work can be re-scheduled with the lowest potential impact on the business area. It is not uncommon that the first reaction to difficulty in executing a Task is to re-schedule the Task presenting the difficulty. This may be a good option but, where the potential impact of not completing the Task is high, it may be better to re-schedule other work in order to make time or resources available to complete the more critical Task. There are several types of variation that can be made to the schedule. A variation that can result in lowered risk, but additional effort, is to vary the scope of a Task(s) (including splitting the Task up) in order to reduce the amount of work within the schedule period. The work that will not be completed as originally scheduled can then either be rescheduled or cancelled. Purpose To decide if the scope of a Task in the current schedule period will be altered. Quantity One decision to alter the scope of a Task(s) within the current schedule period. Quality The decision criteria to be used are:  it is not possible to complete all of the Tasks assigned to the current schedule period, and  a Task assigned to this scheduled period can have the scope varied or split for rescheduling without impact on operations, and  the cost of varying the scope/splitting and rescheduling the Task is less than the cost of rescheduling other Tasks.