Definition
Classic definition of a Buffer is defined as a set of time that is added to the end of the project(or various critical points) that is managed by the Project Manager(PM).
In Epicflow system this statement was slightly rethought and hidden behind the Priority coefficient. For the whole project it’s not an additional time which you have added for the risk covering but a spare time which you do posses till the project end, including specially defined by you buffer time.
By default Project configuration priority calculated as 80 corresponds to a moment in time when you have buffer (in a sense of Epicflow) equal to 40%. Redefining of Project buffer rate means that you set priority 80 equals to newly defined value. In result for two identical projects, at the same moment of time, priority will be higher for that project for which you have set higher Project buffer rate.
Keep in mind that any change of “Project Buffer” parameter wont relocate any Project’s milestone dates.
Such configuration adjustment can be applied either to the whole project or to any resources group (please refer to a separate article Group Risk Factor)
Buffer coefficient is measured in percentages from 1 up to 100 and visually divided in next four groups:
- 1 – No buffer
- from 2 up to 20 – Low
- from 21 up to 40 – Normal
- from 41 up to 100 – High
PM can set any value between those borders.
We would recommend to treat Project Buffer as a mechanism of reaction on unforeseen events occurrence and as an additional tool of your projects flow configuration(in some sense ordering by priority) in multi-project environment.
Configuration
To configure Project Buffer
- Go to the Pipeline page
- Open Project’s Card
- Select Advanced option and on the tab “Info” you would be able to configure Project Buffer by setting up required value
Screen #1 – Project Card – Buffer
Please proceed with next article regard Group Risk Factor to cover additional points of Project’s management mechanisms.