What is an observational method in forensic scheduling?

The observational method in forensic scheduling typically involves reviewing historical schedule updates to gather evidence about a project's timeline and deviations from the planned schedule. This retrospective analysis allows practitioners to identify patterns, delays, and the impacts of specific events on the project's progress.

By examining historical schedule updates, forensic schedulers can piece together how the project evolved over time and understand the context surrounding delays or disruptions. This method relies heavily on actual documented evidence, which is essential in forensic analysis for making informed conclusions about schedule performance and causation of delays.

While expert judgment and quantitative techniques can be important components of forensic analysis, the essence of the observational method lies specifically in the scrutiny of historical data, making it a fundamental tool for understanding past performance rather than forecasting future outcomes or relying solely on subjective assessments.