Process Definition

The Control Schedule Process is the process of monitoring the status of project activities to determine if the project baseline requirements are being met.  The status of activities, resources, and work force utilization provide measurement standards for determining schedule variance.  The project manager utilizes these tools to implement integrated project changes to help restore schedule performance.

Process Assessment

Schedule control is, arguably, one of the most important factors for project managers to consider.  When a schedule begins to slip, it becomes very difficult to maintain the original project schedule.  Project managers should monitor for schedule variance through the use of pro-active risk assessments such as the Monte Carlo Simulation.  This technique helps establish the probability an event will occur, and how that event might impact the project schedule.  Understanding what might occur, and having a plan for that occurrence, helps ensure the project remains on schedule.

Figure 40. Control Schedule: Inputs, Tools and Techniques, and Outputs. Reprinted from "A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide), 5th Edition" by Project Management Institute, 2013, p. 185. Copyright 2013 by Project Management Institute, Inc. Reprinted without permission.

Artifacts

1.  Project Schedule (Input):  This PMGT 614 Group Bicycle Project includes the development of a project schedule.  As an input the control schedule process, the development of a project schedule takes into account activity sequences, durations, resource requirements and schedule constraints.  

2.  Resource Optimization Techniques (Tools & Techniques):  This PMGT 501 chapter 9 exercise demonstrates ability to determine normal schedule/costs, as well as crash schedule/costs per project deliverable.

3.  Schedule Compression (Tools & Techniques):  This PMGT 614 Group Bicycle project experienced a customer driven schedule compression request.  This example demonstrates an effective use of the control schedule process through the use of an integrated change request process.