Project 2016 Intermediate

Lesson – Tracking Your Progress

Project 2016

T RACKING P ROGRESS

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Discussion

Once a project begins, it is extremely important that you track the progress of the individual tasks and the project as a whole. Tracking the project involves entering and revising date, cost, and work information; comparing the actual data to the baseline plan; and viewing project progress using the various tools provided by Microsoft Project. As a project progresses, you may discover tasks that start early or finish late, as well as tasks that cost more or less than expected. As you analyze task relationships, you may want to revise some of them to stay on or near schedule. You may need to modify tasks to meet the projected finish date. As you record the actual information, Microsoft Project reschedules the tasks that are affected by this data. As you look at the affected tasks, you can take corrective action as soon as possible to minimize future problems. Also look at various scenarios using what-if analysis to help you decide on the best solution. Microsoft Project provides several methods for recording progress. If a task is completed according to schedule, mark it 100% complete. Then, all projected task information, such as the start and finish dates, duration, work, and costs are copied into the corresponding fields for actual data. Therefore, if a task with 16 hours in the Work field is completed as scheduled, 16 hours is copied to the Actual Work field, along with the original start and finish dates, duration, and costs. If all the tasks up to a certain date are completed as scheduled, use that date to update multiple tasks at the same time.

Record information for tasks in progress by manually entering the percentage of the task currently completed or the number of hours the resources have already worked. In addition, if the task in progress is on schedule, use the current date or status date to automatically calculate the partial data.

For tasks that are not on schedule, such as those starting or finishing early or late, or requiring more or less work, enter specific information. For example, enter the actual start and finish dates or change the actual work and duration values.

Microsoft Project provides several tools to help you track the progress of your tasks. in the Detail split view Task Form use the Tracking table, or the Work pane, to help you monitor your project. The tool you select depends on the progress information being recorded and your own personal preference.

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