6 Major Tools For Control Project Schedule
In my previous article, I have talked about some of the inputs for control project schedule for projects, in this article, I want to look at six major tool major tools for control project schedule. Follow me as we look at this together in this article.
Here are the tools…
#1 Data Analysis
Data Analysis techniques that can be used for this process include:
Earned Value Analysis: Schedule performance measurements such as Schedule Variance (SV) and Schedule Performance Index (SPI) are used to access the magnitude of variation to the original schedule baseline.
Iteration Burndown Chart: This chart tracks the work that remains to be completed in the iteration backlog. It is used to analyse the variance with respect to an ideal burndown based on the work committed from iteration planning.
A forecast trend can be used to predict the likely variance at iteration completion and take appropriate actions during the course of the iteration.
A diagonal line representing the ideal burndown and daily actual remaining work is than plotted. A trend line is than calculated to forecast completion based on remaining work.
Performance reviews: Performance reviews measures, compares, and analyse schedule performance against the schedule baseline such as actual start and finish dates, percentage complete, and remaining duration for work in progress.
Trend Analysis: Trend analysis examine performance over time to determine whether performance is improving or deteriorating. Graphics analysis techniques are valuable for understanding performance to date and for comparing to future performance goals in the form of completion dates.
Variance Analysis: Variance analysis looks at variances in planned versus actual start and finish dates, planned versus actual durations, and variances in a float. Part of variance analysis is determining the cause and degree of variance relative to the schedule baseline, estimating the implications of those variances for future work to completion, and deciding whether corrective or preventive action is required.
For example, a significant delay on any activity not on the critical path may have little effect on the overall project schedule, while a shorter delay on critical or near critical activity may require immediate action.
What-If scenario analysis: What-if scenario analysis is used to access the various scenarios guided by the output from the Project risk management process to bring the schedule model into alignment with the project management plan and approved baseline.
#2 Critical Path method: Comparing the progress along the critical path can help determine schedule status. The variance on the critical path will have a direct impact on the project end date. Evaluating the progress of activities on near-critical paths can identify schedule risks.
#3 Project Management Information Systems
Project Management Informations Systems include scheduling software that provides the ability to track planned dates versus actual dates, to report variances to and progress made against the schedule baseline, and to forecast the effect of changes to the project schedule model.
#4 Resource Optimization
Resource Optimization techniques involve the scheduling of activities and the resources required by those activities while taking into consideration both the resource availability and the project time.
#3 Leads and lags
Adjusting leads and lags is applied during network analysis to find ways to bring project activities that are behind into alignment with the plan. For example, on a project to construct a new office building, the landscaping can be adjusted to start before the exterior work of the building is completed by increasing the lead time in the relationship, or a technical writing team can adjust the start of editing the draft of a large document is written by eliminating or decreasing lag time.
#4 Schedule compression
Schedule compression techniques are used to find ways to bring project activities that are behind into alignment with the plan by fast-tracking or crashing the schedule for the remaining work.
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