Project Management - Project Control

Understanding Project Control

Project control involves tracking, reviewing, and regulating progress to meet performance objectives. Key aspects include:

Performance Measurement: Comparing actual performance against the project plan
Change Control: Managing modifications to project scope, schedule, or budget
Quality Control: Ensuring deliverables meet requirements
Risk Control: Monitoring identified risks and identifying new ones
Reporting: Communicating project status to stakeholders

Project Control Techniques

1. Earned Value Management (EVM)

A systematic approach integrating scope, schedule, and cost to measure project performance:

Interactive EVM Dashboard

Adjust the sliders to see how project performance metrics change:

Planned Value (PV)

$50,000

Earned Value (EV)

$40,000

Actual Cost (AC)

$45,000

Schedule Performance Index (SPI)

0.80

Behind schedule (SPI < 1)

Cost Performance Index (CPI)

0.89

Over budget (CPI < 1)

Estimate at Completion (EAC)

$112,500

Based on current CPI

2. Progress Tracking

Project Completion: 65%

3. Change Control Process

Change Request

Impact Analysis

Approval

Implementation

Change Request: Document the requested change including:

Description of change
Reason for change
Requested by
Date requested

Impact Analysis: Assess the effect on:

Project scope
Schedule
Budget
Resources
Quality
Risks

Approval Process:

Review by Change Control Board
Decision to approve, reject, or defer
Documentation of decision
Communication to stakeholders

Implementation:

Update project plans
Assign implementation tasks
Monitor implementation
Verify completion
Update documentation

Extended Learning Video

Watch this video on project control techniques from the Project Management Institute:

Case Study: Website Development Project

Scenario: Your team is developing a corporate website with the following details:

Budget: $100,000
Duration: 12 weeks
Current status: Week 6
Planned value at this point: $50,000
Earned value: $40,000
Actual cost: $55,000

Exercise: Calculate the following and interpret the results:

Schedule Variance (SV) and Schedule Performance Index (SPI)
Cost Variance (CV) and Cost Performance Index (CPI)
Estimate at Completion (EAC) assuming current trends continue
Recommended corrective actions

Project Management Features: Project Control