This form of time chart is a
marching calendar. Initially, the chart can also be used to back
schedule material purchase for future delivery. As sequential tasks
are completed, the consecutive days are highlighted. This provides a
rapid visualization to the project planners of the status of the
project.

Project Calendar.

Task.

Initial planning.

Gather information.

Pick team.

Make drawings.

Assemble materials.

Make prototype.

Review prototype.

Manufacture actual product.

Evaluate project.

Plan follow up.

* * * * *

Material.

Are the materials available? Can we afford the cost of the materials?
Sometimes it is possible to make an "first piece" or "practice piece"
out of inexpensive materials. Practice pieces are helpful to learn
practical manufacturing methods. Producing detailed drawings and
listing manufacturing steps often save time and material in the long
run. Practice pieces made of soft and easy to work material, like
balsam wood, also serve the purpose of providing an actual mock up
that can be quickly modified by cut and paste methods. The practice
piece usually does not have to be pretty, only functional. It provides
an idea of what changes need to be made before expensive or hard to
procure materials are used.

* * * * *

Manpower.

Is sufficient manpower available to execute the plan? Are the talents
of the available manpower matched to the task?[1] Are the available
people qualified to perform the tasks? Are the men being lead by the
best method? Several alternative methods exist for leading or managing
workers on a project. These will be discussed in the section on
leadership.

* * * * *

Developing a Solution.

1. Gardner, Howard. Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple
Intelligences. New York: Basic Books, 1983.

* * * * *

===================================

Trying the Solution.

Often complex or new tasks become learning projects, in themselves, to
try to more accurately identify the problem, and to gather sufficient
facts through failure in experimentation to make progress. Projects
should include ongoing evaluation and re-planning. Old World
craftsmen, the master craftsmen of yesteryear, had a guiding principle
that continues to have merit: "Any job worth doing is worth doing
well." Doing a job well often means making a final copy after revising
the rough draft.

* * * * *

Manpower Management.

Le