Changing actual dates in CPM scheduling is detrimental to effective project management and can have ethical, legal, and practical consequences. It is essential to maintain the integrity of project data and report actual dates accurately to ensure transparency, accountability, informed decision-making, and the success of a project.
- Falsification of Data: Altering actual dates in the schedule can constitute the falsification of project data. This unethical practice misrepresents the true status of the project and can damage the integrity of the project management process.
- Loss of Accountability: Accurate actual dates are essential for tracking and maintaining accountability within a project. When actual dates are changed, it becomes challenging to attribute responsibility for delays or issues, which can lead to confusion and a lack of accountability among team members.
- Inaccurate Reporting: Accurate reporting is crucial for effective project management. Changing actual dates can result in misleading reports that do not reflect the true progress of the project. This can lead to poor decision-making, as stakeholders rely on inaccurate information.
- Risk of Legal and Ethical Issues: Changing actual dates can have legal and ethical consequences. It may violate contracts, industry regulations, or professional standards, potentially leading to disputes, penalties, or damage to an organization's reputation.
- Impaired Performance Evaluation: Accurate actual dates are used for performance evaluation and assessment of schedule variances. Changing these dates can distort the assessment of project performance, making it difficult to understand the causes of schedule delays and take corrective actions.
- Decreased Trust and Credibility: The trust and credibility of a project manager depend on honest and transparent reporting. Changing actual dates can undermine trust among stakeholders, as it suggests a lack of integrity and openness in managing the project.
- Poor Decision-Making: Altered actual dates can lead to poor decision-making, as they can create a false sense of security about the project's progress. Without accurate data, project managers and stakeholders may not address real issues in a timely and effective manner.