One of the changes in the current PMBOK Guide 6th Edition compared with the previous PMBOK Guide 5th Edition is the renaming of Time Management as Schedule Management. The change came unexpected for members like me and got me thinking. The first time when someone argued the “time management” expression was during the leadership course I took in May 2018. The article about it is published HERE During the course our instructor mentioned that we cannot manage time and the chapter in the course dealing with this subject should actually be renamed to something more appropriate. I remember telling her that PMI would not agree with that too much. Fast forward to August 2018 and the change our instructor was talking about appeared in PMBOK Guide 6th Edition. It was an interesting coincidence for sure.
I am not too sure what to think of if. Both sides of the argument make a case for it: one cannot manage time versus plan and control of the time spent. It feels like a case of semantics to a certain degree; however we live in a day and age when words have become really powerful. People are sensitive and that creates all sort of delicate situations where both sides of the argument seem to have a valid point. My intention here is not to convince you one side is better than the other. What I want to do is present a few points of view supporting both. It is up to you to form an opinion after reading my selection.
PMBOK Guide 5th Edition
“Time management includes the processes required to manage timely completion of the project”
A powerful opinion in favor has been posted by Matt Mayberry, CEO of Matt Mayberry Enterprises in his article called “Time Management Is Really Life Management” I think the title says it all. Please take the time to read it.
The next one has been posted by Niclas Marie, CEO of TimeCenter Online Scheduling. His article is called “Benefits of Time Management” He focuses on what needs to be done to get more out of the day. He talks about scheduling and how it could help with stress relief, more time for fun and more opportunities. It is worth a few minutes of your time; please read it.
A third one has been posted by John Rampton, Entrepreneur and its title is “Manipulate Time With These Powerful 20 Time Management Tips” Please read the article for the explanation of the following tips; who knows, maybe today you will start focusing on one or more. Their number is a bit overwhelming I agree.
- Create a time audit
- Set a time limit to each task
- Use a to-do-list, but don’t abandon tasks
- Plan ahead
- Spend your mornings on Most Important Tasks (MIT) of the day
- Learn to delegate/ outsource
- Eliminate half-work
- Change your schedule
- Leave a buffer-time between tasks and meetings
- Get organized and single-task
- Follow the 80-20 rule
- Use an online calendar
- Stop being perfect
- Just say “No”
- Instill keystone habits
- Don’t waste time waiting
- Telecommute
- Find inspiration
- Batch similar tasks together
- Do less
PMBOK Guide 6th Edition
“Project Schedule Management includes the processes required to manage the timely completion of the project”
Celestine Chua, Writer and Founder of PersonalExcellence.co wrote “Become the Master of Your Time” She made a very good point in the second paragraph:
“… Time is not a limited commodity because it is always there, unfolding every second before you. There is no time to manage. Time is just what it is…”
It is an interesting reading for sure, presenting in detail the two pillars of Time Management: “Effectiveness” and “Efficiency”.
The second article is “Can Time Really Be Managed?” by Phil Cicio. He makes the point what we need to do is managed our activities and he proposes to filter all possible activities you are contemplating by answering 3 questions:
- Is this really important to me?
- Can someone else do this for me?
- Will this move me closer to what I want?
There are countless more articles and opinions on the subject out there. Hope my selection has given you something to think about and possibly opened your appetite to read more before you decide which alternative you agree with. “There is still time” sounds better than “There is still schedule” doesn’t it?