Control Schedule
Control Schedule is the process of monitoring the status of the project to update the project schedule and manage changes to the schedule baseline.
Explanation
Control Schedule is the monitoring and controlling process for the schedule management knowledge area. It involves tracking the current status of project activities, comparing actual progress against the schedule baseline, identifying variances, and taking corrective or preventive actions as needed. This process runs continuously throughout the project execution phase.
Key activities in Control Schedule include reviewing work performance data to assess how activities are progressing, performing schedule variance analysis using Earned Value metrics (SV and SPI), evaluating the impact of changes on the schedule, and updating the schedule model with actual progress. The project manager uses tools such as performance reviews, trend analysis, critical path analysis, resource optimization, and the project management information system (PMIS) to manage the schedule.
When schedule variances are detected, the project manager must determine the cause, assess the impact, and decide on appropriate action. Options include schedule compression (crashing or fast tracking), scope reduction (through change control), resource reallocation, or accepting the delay. Any changes to the schedule baseline must go through the integrated change control process. Control Schedule also generates work performance information and change requests as outputs.
Key Points
- •Monitors project progress against the schedule baseline
- •Uses SV and SPI from Earned Value Management to measure performance
- •Involves variance analysis, trend analysis, and critical path recalculation
- •Changes to the baseline require formal integrated change control
Exam Tip
Control Schedule is a monitoring and controlling process. If the schedule is behind, the project manager should analyze the variance first, then determine corrective action (crashing, fast tracking, etc.).
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Topics
Schedule Baseline
The schedule baseline is the approved version of the schedule model that is used as a basis for comparison with actual results to determine if corrective or preventive action is needed.
Schedule Compression
Schedule compression is a technique used to shorten or accelerate the project schedule duration without reducing the project scope.
Earned Value Management (EVM)
Earned Value Management (EVM) is a methodology that integrates scope, schedule, and cost data to assess project performance and progress objectively.
Develop Schedule
Develop Schedule is the process of analyzing activity sequences, durations, resource requirements, and schedule constraints to create the project schedule model for project execution, monitoring, and controlling.
Most-studied PMP concepts
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Resource Leveling
Resource leveling is a resource optimization technique in which adjustments are made to the project schedule to keep resource usage at or below a defined limit, often resulting in a longer project duration.
Resource Smoothing
Resource smoothing is a resource optimization technique that adjusts activities within their available float so that resource requirements do not exceed predefined limits, without changing the project end date.
Burndown Chart
A Burndown Chart is a graphical representation of work remaining versus time in a Sprint or release, showing whether the team is on track to complete the planned work.
Risk Register
The risk register is a project document that records the details of individual project risks, including their identification, analysis results, response plans, and current status.
Stakeholder Mapping
Stakeholder mapping is the visual representation of stakeholder relationships, influence, interest, or other attributes using grids, matrices, or diagrams to support analysis and engagement planning.
Relative Estimation
Relative Estimation is an agile technique where work items are sized in comparison to each other rather than in absolute units like hours or days, providing faster and more accurate estimates.
Cost Performance Index (CPI)
Cost Performance Index (CPI) is an EVM efficiency metric that measures cost performance as the ratio of earned value to actual cost: CPI = EV / AC.
Schedule Performance Index (SPI)
Schedule Performance Index (SPI) is an EVM efficiency metric that measures schedule performance as the ratio of earned value to planned value: SPI = EV / PV.
Earned Value Management (EVM)
Earned Value Management (EVM) is a methodology that integrates scope, schedule, and cost data to assess project performance and progress objectively.
Part of
Schedule Management
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