Top 5 Most Important Reports

[jp]

Hi,

I was wondering ( based on ALL of your experiences) if you could
share the top 5, lets say, reports that people want to see or know
about from the Project Manager?

And I understand that different stakeholders are going to want different
things and that no one organization is the same. However, I have to guess
that there have to be "Best Practice" methods for reporting project
information right? Thanks for your help.

-jp

 

[Jim Aksel]

Earned Value Reports (includes PV, EV, AC, SPI, CPI and their variances)
Critical Path & Total Slack Analysis
Poor performing tasks based on Variance Analysis (Both cost and schedule)
risk register/Schedule Risk Assessment (Monte Carlo Simulations)


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Jim Aksel, MVP

Check out my blog for more information:
http://www.msprojectblog.com

 

[jp]

Thanks Jim for your reply,

Question: "risk register/Schedule Risk Assessment (Monte Carlo Simulations)"
Is that in MS Project 2003 or possibly in 2007? I don't know that I've seen
that before in MSP.

-jp

 

[jp]

Hi Jim,

Would you also know how to best get cost savings and schedule variances
out and into a nice graph created in MS Excel? I'm working with MSP 2003.
I'm almost positive Executives like to see graphs showing them cost savings
and schedule speed based on planned vs actuals in a graph format. As you
can see, I also like graphs...
;-)

-jp

 

[Rob Schneider]

jp,

Project out of the box does not have risk register or Motel Carlo
Simulations. Risk Register done lots of ways in different
organisations. Monte Carlo schedule simulations are doing with
third-party add-in products. IMHO, this sort of thing is nearly if not
the most valuable aspect of making and maintaining a model of the
project to enable building a discussable point of view about the future.


--rms

www.rmschneider.com

 

[jp]

oh ok. Yes, I hadn't seen anything on my MSP 2003 that resembled
a Risk Register or a Monte Carlo Model. Is the "IMHO" a really good
product?

 

[Rob Schneider]

It's the best product available in the world. I'm humble.

"IMHO" is an internet abbreviation for "In My Humble Opinion"

You might also see "AFAIK" which is "As Far As I Know".


--rms

www.rmschneider.com

 

[lbethel]

The answer depends on how you're using the plan. If you have a fully
resourced plan with accurate actual and remaining work, and an accurate
basline then I'd say:
1. earned value or some derivative thereof that gives a clear measure of
progress and estimate at complete
2. Report that shows problem activities, tasks, milestones, etc. such as
tasks with variances
3. Resource utlization

But if you're managing the plan according to tasks and dates, and not work
hours then your options are more limited.

 

[jp]

Wow, you really like hah!
So, where is it found on the Web?
Is it mainly used for the Monte Carlo analysis?

-jp

 

[jp]

oh ok. Thanks lbethel

-jp
;-)

The answer depends on how you're using the plan. If you have a fully
resourced plan with accurate actual and remaining work, and an accurate
basline then I'd say:
1. earned value or some derivative thereof that gives a clear measure of
progress and estimate at complete
2. Report that shows problem activities, tasks, milestones, etc. such as
tasks with variances
3. Resource utlization

But if you're managing the plan according to tasks and dates, and not work
hours then your options are more limited.

 

[Rob Schneider]

See http://project.mvps.org/comprods.htm

Also can search Google on "project monte carlo" to get some leads.


--rms

www.rmschneider.com

 

[Jim Aksel]

Use the Export to Excel on the Analysis toolbar. Make sure you select the
variance items.
--
If this post was helpful, please consider rating it.

Jim Aksel, MVP

Check out my blog for more information:
http://www.msprojectblog.com

 

[Jim Aksel]

There are a couple out there ... I presonally use Deltek Risk Plus
(http://www.deltek.com/products/riskplus/)

There is another called RiskyProject that is pretty good, and the ones Rob
referred you to on the MVP site.
--
If this post was helpful, please consider rating it.

Jim Aksel, MVP

Check out my blog for more information:
http://www.msprojectblog.com

 

[jp]

Do you know the URL for IMHO?
Does it cost alot of money?
Is it really good and useful?

-jp