Work Performance Data
Work performance data is the raw observations and measurements identified during activities performed to carry out the project work.
Explanation
Work performance data is the first level in a three-tier hierarchy of project performance information. It consists of the raw, unprocessed facts and figures gathered during project execution. Examples include actual start and finish dates of activities, number of change requests, number of defects, actual costs incurred, actual durations, percent of work physically completed, and technical performance measurements.
This data by itself has limited meaning — it is simply raw numbers and observations. Its value emerges when it is analyzed in the Monitoring and Controlling processes and compared against the project management plan to produce work performance information. For example, knowing that a task took 12 days (work performance data) only becomes meaningful when compared against the planned 10 days (producing a variance of 2 days, which is work performance information).
Work performance data is generated in the Executing Process Group, specifically from the Direct and Manage Project Work process. From there, it flows into various controlling processes — Control Schedule, Control Costs, Control Quality, and others — where it is analyzed and contextualized.
Key Points
- •Raw observations and measurements from project execution
- •First level in the data-information-reports hierarchy
- •Includes actual dates, costs, durations, and defect counts
- •Generated during execution, analyzed during monitoring and controlling
Exam Tip
Remember the hierarchy: Data (raw) -> Information (analyzed) -> Reports (formatted for communication). If the exam describes raw measurements with no analysis, it is work performance data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Topics
Work Performance Information
Work performance information is the performance data collected from various controlling processes, analyzed in context, and integrated based on relationships across areas.
Work Performance Reports
Work performance reports are the physical or electronic representation of work performance information compiled in project documents, intended to generate decisions, actions, or awareness.
Executing Process Group
The Executing Process Group consists of processes performed to complete the work defined in the project management plan to satisfy project requirements.
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