Question

Canada Revenue Agency completes 500 projects per year, on average. In October 2017, it
was reported that the number of projects currently “on their plate” (i.e. pending at various stages)
is 100. The Agency head claims that the average time to complete a project is less than three
months. Is the estimate of average time to complete a project realistic? Justify your answer

Answer 1

As per the question, the average estimated time for each project is less than three months. It means that in order to complete 100 projects the time available for one project would be less than three months.

According to me, the estimated average time is not realistic in any way, due to the following reasons:

• It is not possible for project members to work on all the projects and complete them within a time span of three months or less.
• Doing this the quality of the projects will deteriorate a lot as full focus and concentration cannot be given to every project.
• Proper planning and implementation will not be possible, thus leading to chaos, confusion and failure of the entire project.
• It will be difficult to complete all 100 projects in just a period of three months. Even simultaneous working on all projects will not bear fruitful results.
• Implementing each step of the project will not be possible in such a less time as each step needs time and dedication for proper completion.
• The managers will not be able to handle the project tasks easily and the members will also face problems.
• Due to certain external environmental changes, the process of project need to be modified from time to time, this modification requires time which will not be possible when allotted such less time for completion.

It can be said that project completion requires time as each step needs time and re- modification from time to time so as to meet environmental changes. Hence, the targets or the average time set for all the projects to complete is not realistic and practical and requires modification for more qualitative results.