|
||||||||||||||||||
Microsoft Project® Tip: Variance Reporting
An informative technique for reporting variances, assuming you ever have them, is to use a Gantt Chart that compares the baseline (or plan in MSP 3.0) to the current schedule. This Gantt shows two bars for each task. One that runs from the baseline (or plan in MSP 3.0) start to finish and a second bar that runs from the currently scheduled start and finish. Thus, if the two bars for a task are on top of one another, the task is on schedule. If the task has slipped, you see the amount of slippage.
In the attached MSP file, the purple task bars are the baseline (plan) and the blue task bars are the current schedule. We see that task 4 started late and is scheduled to finish more than 3 weeks later than planned. We also see how this slippage has "rippled" through the rest of the schedule, delaying other tasks. This form of Gantt chart is a fairly clear way of illustrating schedule status to your sponsor and project team.
We get this report by clicking on FORMAT, then click on BAR STYLES (Format, in 3.0). Next, in a blank row at the bottom of the list, type "baseline" or "plan" in the definitions column. Then TAB over one column to the right and select the bar shape for the baseline (plan). Use a smaller size bar and a different pattern than you use for your normal tasks. Skip the next column and in the "From" column type or select "Baseline Start" (or Start 1 in 3.0). Tab over one column and in the "To" column, type "Baseline Finish" or (Finish 1 in 3.0). Then click OK.