In some situations, there may be valid reasons to use manually scheduled tasks, such as when a task's timing is genuinely uncertain or when the project management software does not support specific scheduling requirements. However, for most projects, it is generally advisable to take full advantage of the dynamic scheduling capabilities of project management software to improve schedule accuracy, maintain consistency, and facilitate efficient schedule management. Manual scheduling should be used sparingly and with a clear understanding of its potential limitations.
- Lack of Dynamic Scheduling: Manually scheduled activities do not take full advantage of the software's dynamic scheduling capabilities. Dynamic scheduling automatically adjusts task start and finish dates based on changes to dependencies, resource assignments, and constraints, ensuring that the schedule reflects the most up-to-date information.
- Reduced Schedule Accuracy: Manually scheduled tasks require manual intervention to update start and finish dates. This can lead to inaccuracies in the schedule if changes are not consistently or correctly applied. Automatic scheduling helps maintain schedule accuracy and consistency.
- Limited Critical Path Analysis: Manually scheduled tasks may not be considered when identifying the project's critical path. This can lead to an incomplete understanding of the most critical tasks for on-time project completion.
- Complexity in Updates: Manually scheduled tasks require more manual effort to update and maintain, which can be time-consuming and prone to errors. Automatic scheduling simplifies the update process and reduces the risk of inaccuracies.
- Risk of Inconsistent Practices: Inconsistent manual scheduling practices among different users can lead to confusion and difficulties in maintaining a standardized and cohesive schedule.
- Reduced Visibility: Manually scheduled tasks may not provide as much visibility into the schedule's logic and dependencies as automatically scheduled tasks. This can make it more challenging to assess the impact of changes on the project timeline.
- Limited "What-If" Analysis: Manually scheduled tasks can limit the ability to perform "what-if" analyses, where you can explore the effects of different scenarios on the schedule quickly. Automatic scheduling simplifies this type of analysis.