Organizations and managers often underestimate project timelines because optimism and cognitive biases can skew judgment from the outset. Initial guesses, executive expectations, or tentative deadlines can persist over time even when actual performance contradicts, problematically affecting future estimates.
In this course, explore how to avoid project delays by identifying and overcoming the unrealistic time frames that are often the root cause of project setbacks. Learn how cognitive biases, particularly anchoring on initial estimates, can skew your judgment and lead to poor time management. Discover the benefits of using helpful anchors, such as data from similar past projects, to make more accurate projections. This course explains why incentives solely based on on-time completion can lead to inflated estimates and slower execution, and why it’s vital to balance speed with accuracy for reliable project delivery. Discover strategies that can enhance your project management efficiency and reliability. Leverage practical insights to help streamline your project timelines while ensuring quality and accuracy.
Note: This course was created by MIT Sloan Management Review. We are pleased to host this content in our library.
Audience:
- Project Managers
- Program Managers
- Leadership
- Portfolio Managers
- Project Coordinators
- Operations Managers
- Product Managers
- Business Analysts