Lecture 09: Project controlling

Question 1

Sketch the rate of ressource usage across the PLC

Answer 1

1. Phase of initial acceleration
   - few qualified RS
   - learning curve
   - operative conductions
2. Central Phase
   - resource mobilzation
   - high and constant usage rate
3. Phase of final deceleration
   - Constraints from work done, physical impediments + procedure
   - dragging effect

Question 2

Why is the S Curve useful during planning of a PJ?

Answer 2

-Assess the time/cost objectives feasibility

-Fix the reference point
→ contracutal + schedule milestones

• plan the RS usage and assess the congruence with the progess rate
• study correlations among macro project phases

Question 3

What steps does the Earned Value Framework include?

Answer 3

1. Planning
2. Executing
3. Controlling

Question 4

What are the earned value benefits

Answer 4

• provides manager with info at a practical level of summarization
• alerts PMs about scedule/cost risks early
• provides documented PJ performance trail
• Communcates PJ status
• tracks and monitors discret PJ metrics
• comparison between planned and actual work
• accurate/reliable reading of cost/schedule performance
• PF at the 15% complete point can predict final PF
• The Scedule PF index shows how much work is done
• CPI and SPI can be used for forecast final estimate

Question 5

Earnes Value Limitations

Answer 5

• traditional EV not intended for “Level of Effort” PJ (e.g design a new logo, write a song)
• EVM states that stakeholders want to measure progress objectively

-Quantifying/measuring work can be difficult
→ time for measurement can be long

• EVM requires thorough/accurate planning of cost
• forecast based on past (if data bad, forecast is bad)
• EV does not measure quality

Question 6

What are DO’s of the EVM? (1)

Answer 6

-necessary building steps seriously: integrate scope of work, schedule and cost using a WBS

-train ur Stakeholders
→ need to understand variance reports

• document all PF metrics and thesholds in PJ plan (PF plan)
• determine how u will measure ur tasks (discrete options)
• include variances early (not later than 15% in)
• bad news have to be heard

→ take corrective action (staff changes, mid-term evaluation of work, crashing, fast tracking)

Question 7

What are DO’s of the EVM? (2)

Answer 7

-request that staff monitors their work hours

-give PM reliable labor and overhead rates for research
→ otherwise CPI does noch mean much

• have policies in place for rebaselining
• Re-plan as necessary (budget increase, scope change, schedule change?)
• create a weekly or monthly variance report
• use standart templates for reporting (helps with learning curve/comparing and aggregate data across PJ)
• institute standart reporting cycles

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