Comparing start and finish information w/Baselines and Interim pla

[jimmxz]

I have been working with Project and still don’t fully understand how to
effectively save Baseline and Interim information and compare the information
as the project progresses. I understand a few things about Baselines and
Interim plans, but how to use and compare them eludes me. I haven’t found
any good information in the course book or online that helps explain it in
terms that I can understand well.

Here is an example of what I am trying to do:
· I create a project plan and saved a Baseline.
· I added Actual Start and Actual Finish columns to help compare data.
· I updated the project plan with the Actual Start and Actual Finish
information periodically and save Interim plans once in a while. I noticed
that when I update Actual Start and Actual Finish information, it updates the
existing Start and Finish information to match. This is where it would be
nice to have a column of Estimate Start and Estimated Finish information that
does not change throughout the project progression and updates.
· I made a major change to the project and saved a different Baseline.
· I continue to update the project and save Interim plans every so often
· I want to compare all of the Baselines and Interim plans against the
latest update.

I’m also trying to determine where I can find out which Baseline and Interim
plans are saved. When I go to save a Baseline or Interim plan it gives me 10
options and on the Interim option it asked which one to copy and into which
file. I don’t understand the difference.

I would appreciate any help you can provide in understanding the features
and capabilities of MS Project to monitor my project’s progress. Thanks for
your consideration.

 

[JulieS]

Hello jimmxz,

My comments are inline.

Julie

I have been working with Project and still don't fully understand how
to
effectively save Baseline and Interim information and compare the
information
as the project progresses. I understand a few things about Baselines
and
Interim plans, but how to use and compare them eludes me. I haven't
found
any good information in the course book or online that helps explain
it in
terms that I can understand well.

Here is an example of what I am trying to do:
· I create a project plan and saved a Baseline.

[Julie] When you save a baseline, data is copied into different
baseline fields:
For Tasks:
Baseline Start (a copy of the Start date/time when you saved the
baseline)
Baseline Finish (a copy of the Finish date/time when you save the
baseline)
Baseline Work (a copy of Work when you saved the baseline)
Basleline Cost (a copy of Cost data when you save the baseline)
Baseline Duration (a copy of the Duration data when you saved the
baseline)
For Resources:
Baseline Start (a copy of the Start date/time when you saved the
baseline)
Baseline Finish (a copy of the Finish date/time when you save the
baseline)
Baseline Work (a copy of Work when you saved the baseline)
Basleline Cost (a copy of Cost data when you save the baseline)
For each Assignment
Baseline Start (a copy of the Start date/time when you saved the
baseline)
Baseline Finish (a copy of the Finish date/time when you save the
baseline)
Baseline Work (a copy of Work when you saved the baseline)
Basleline Cost (a copy of Cost data when you save the baseline)

· I added Actual Start and Actual Finish columns to help compare data.

[Julie] You may also find applying the Tracking Table is helpful. View

Table > Tracking. The tracking table gives you other fields such as

Actual and Remaining Duration which are very useful in tracking tasks
which are not yet completed (don't have an Actual Finish)

· I updated the project plan with the Actual Start and Actual Finish
information periodically and save Interim plans once in a while. I
noticed
that when I update Actual Start and Actual Finish information, it
updates the
existing Start and Finish information to match. This is where it
would be
nice to have a column of Estimate Start and Estimated Finish
information that
does not change throughout the project progression and updates.

[Julie] The columns for your estimated start and finish are the baseline
start and finish. As you note, when you supply tracking information
through Actual Start and Actual Finish, Project updates the Start and
Finish columns to match the information you've provided. The difference
between your Baseline Start and Start or Actual start is calculated for
you in a field named "Start Variance". Likewise Finish Variance shows
the difference between Finish and Baseline Finish. Also calculated for
you is Work Variance (difference between Baseline and Work), Cost
Variance and Duration Variance.

· I made a major change to the project and saved a different Baseline.
· I continue to update the project and save Interim plans every so
often
· I want to compare all of the Baselines and Interim plans against the
latest update.

[Julie] As noted above, Project will calculate variance for you using
Baseline Start and Start. You can calculate other variances by writing
formulas in custom fields to calculate Variances based upon other
Baselines -- for example Baseline1Start. Do post back if you need some
guidance on doing this.

I'm also trying to determine where I can find out which Baseline and
Interim
plans are saved. When I go to save a Baseline or Interim plan it
gives me 10
options and on the Interim option it asked which one to copy and into
which
file. I don't understand the difference.

[Julie] When you save a baseline, you are not creating other files.
You are just adding data to other baseline fields which are blank until
you save the baseline. You can add those additional baseline fields to
a table (up to a limit of 255 fields per table.) Choose Insert > Column
and drop those fields in as needed.

I would appreciate any help you can provide in understanding the
features
and capabilities of MS Project to monitor my project's progress.
Thanks for
your consideration.

[Julie] You're welcome. I hope this helps and let us know how you get
along.

Julie
Project MVP

 

[KJONES]

I have been working with Project and still don’t fully understand how to
effectively save Baseline and Interim information and compare the information
as the project progresses. I understand a few things about Baselines and
Interim plans, but how to use and compare them eludes me. I haven’t found
any good information in the course book or online that helps explain it in
terms that I can understand well.

Here is an example of what I am trying to do:
· I create a project plan and saved a Baseline.
· I added Actual Start and Actual Finish columns to help compare data.
· I updated the project plan with the Actual Start and Actual Finish
information periodically and save Interim plans once in a while. I noticed
that when I update Actual Start and Actual Finish information, it updates the
existing Start and Finish information to match. This is where it would be
nice to have a column of Estimate Start and Estimated Finish information that
does not change throughout the project progression and updates.
· I made a major change to the project and saved a different Baseline.
· I continue to update the project and save Interim plans every so often
· I want to compare all of the Baselines and Interim plans against the
latest update.

I’m also trying to determine where I can find out which Baseline and Interim
plans are saved. When I go to save a Baseline or Interim plan it gives me 10
options and on the Interim option it asked which one to copy and into which
file. I don’t understand the difference.

I would appreciate any help you can provide in understanding the features
and capabilities of MS Project to monitor my project’s progress. Thanks for
your consideration.