Critical Chain Scheduler

Overview

The Critical Chain Scheduler skill provides comprehensive capabilities for implementing Critical Chain Project Management (CCPM). It supports critical chain identification, buffer sizing and monitoring, resource leveling, and multi-project synchronization.

Capabilities

• Critical chain identification
• Project buffer sizing
• Feeding buffer calculation
• Resource buffer placement
• Multi-project buffer management
• Buffer consumption tracking
• Relay runner behavior monitoring

Used By Processes

• TOC-004: Critical Chain Project Management
• CAP-002: Production Scheduling Optimization

Tools and Libraries

• Project management APIs
• Scheduling optimization tools
• Resource management systems
• Buffer monitoring dashboards

Usage

skill: critical-chain-scheduler
inputs:
  project_name: "New Product Launch"
  tasks:
    - id: "T1"
      name: "Design"
      duration_50: 10  # 50% confidence estimate
      duration_90: 18  # 90% confidence estimate
      resources: ["Engineer A"]
      predecessors: []
    - id: "T2"
      name: "Prototype"
      duration_50: 5
      duration_90: 9
      resources: ["Engineer A"]
      predecessors: ["T1"]
    - id: "T3"
      name: "Testing"
      duration_50: 8
      duration_90: 14
      resources: ["Engineer B"]
      predecessors: ["T2"]
  resource_constraints:
    - name: "Engineer A"
      capacity: 1
outputs:
  - critical_chain
  - project_buffer
  - feeding_buffers
  - resource_buffers
  - project_schedule
  - buffer_status_report

CCPM vs. Traditional Project Management

Aspect	Traditional	CCPM
Task estimates	Include safety	Aggressive (50%)
Safety time	Hidden in tasks	Aggregated in buffers
Start rule	As soon as possible	As late as safely possible
Progress tracking	Task completion	Buffer consumption
Resource focus	Utilization	Flow

Buffer Types and Sizing

Project Buffer

Location: End of critical chain
Size: 50% of critical chain length
Purpose: Protect project due date

Feeding Buffer

Location: Where non-critical path joins critical chain
Size: 50% of feeding chain length
Purpose: Protect critical chain from delays

Resource Buffer

Location: Before resource-constrained critical chain tasks
Purpose: Alert resources to upcoming critical work

Buffer Management

Buffer Status	% Consumed	Action
Green	0-33%	Plan recovery
Yellow	34-66%	Implement recovery
Red	67-100%	Escalate and expedite

Relay Runner Behavior

1. Don't start early
2. Work at full effort once started
3. Pass work immediately when complete
4. Focus on elapsed time, not effort

Integration Points

• Project management systems
• Resource management platforms
• Portfolio management tools
• Time tracking systems