Please Complete This MS Project Baseline And Actuals Please

Please Complete This Ms Projectebaseliningand Actualsplease Write Al

Please complete this MS Project E. Baselining and Actuals. Please write all your responses in a single MS Word document covering all questions and exercises, and paste (do not attach) the screenshots into the document in-line with your text. It makes it much easier to read and grade. Please include screenshots of each step, not just one screenshot before or after. Note: These are not trick questions, though (as with many of the MS Project exercises) you need to read them carefully.

Some people seem to misread the question and do the wrong thing.

E.1. How do you set a project baseline in MS Project? Describe AND provide a screenshot of the steps.

E.2. How do you enter the actual duration or effort a task took when executed? Describe AND provide a screenshot of the steps.

Important Note: This is to update the ACTUAL duration for a task as executed, not the planned duration. The planned or scheduled duration is to remain the same. Note also that this refers to updating the date (or percentage complete) for an individual task, not for the entire project.

E.3. How do you "status" or recalculate a schedule, update a schedule to adjust its dates based on actual execution durations? Describe AND provide a screenshot of the steps.

Note: This refers to updating the data and re-calculating the dates for the entire project, not for individual tasks of the project. It does not involve changing individual dates nor adding actual dates. Essentially, this is like clicking the Update or Refresh key in other applications.

E.4. How do you show both the baseline and current bars on a Gantt chart?

F. Task and Schedule Changes

Suppose you are the project manager for the following project:

| Task | Baseline Duration | Predecessor(s) | Actual Duration |

|---------|-----------------------|--------------------|------------------|

| 1 | 1 days | -- | 1 days |

| 2 | 3 days | 1 | 3 days |

| 3 | 2 days | 1 | 1 days |

| 4 | 3 days | 2 | 5 days |

| 5 | 5 days | 3 | 5 days |

| 6 | 3 days | 4, 5 | 3 days |

| 7 | 1 days | 6 | 1 days |

F.1. "Before": Prepare a network diagram for the project using MS Project. Determine the critical path and slack times for all tasks.

F.2. Calculate the project duration and completion date. Baseline this in MS Project by selecting Tools > Baseline, then save the file as "F. Baselined Project".

F.3. "After": During project execution, Task 4’s duration is changed to five days, and Task 3 is completed one day early, taking only one day.

F.4. Re-do the network diagram and determine the new project duration and completion date.

F.5. Use the tracking Gantt chart to compare the baselined and actual versions; the baselined appears typically in black/gray, and the actual in color (red for critical, blue for non-critical).

F.6. Save the .mpp file, ensuring both versions are visible.

F.7. Answer the following questions:

a. What effect did these changes have on total effort? Why?

b. What effect did these changes have on project duration? Why?

c. What effect did these changes have on the critical path? Why?

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Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Effective project management relies heavily on accurate planning, monitoring, and control processes, and Microsoft Project (MS Project) offers essential tools to facilitate these activities. Key among these are baseline setting, actual effort tracking, schedule updating, and visual tools like Gantt charts. This paper explores the processes involved in baseline setting, updating actual task durations, recalculating schedules based on real progress, and rendering visual comparisons within MS Project, exemplified with a hypothetical project scenario. It also discusses the implications of schedule changes on project duration, effort, and the critical path, emphasizing the importance of dynamic project control techniques.

Setting the Project Baseline in MS Project

Establishing a baseline in MS Project involves recording the original project plan for comparison purposes during execution. The steps are as follows:

1. Complete initial project scheduling with all tasks, durations, dependencies, and resources.

2. Navigate to the “Project” tab in the ribbon.

3. Select “Set Baseline,” then choose “Set Baseline” from the dropdown menu.

4. In the dialog box, select the baseline scope (typically “Entire Project”) and click “OK.”

5. A screenshot illustrating these steps would show the Project ribbon, the “Set Baseline” button highlighted, and the dialog box confirming the operation.

This process stores the planned start and finish dates, durations, and costs, which can later be compared to actual data for performance analysis.

Entering Actual Durations

Updating actual effort for specific tasks involves:

1. Selecting the task in the Gantt Chart view.

2. Navigating to the “Task” tab, then clicking on “Update Tasks.”

3. In the dialog box, entering the actual start and finish dates or the duration already spent.

4. Confirming the input to update the task’s actual progress.

5. The actual duration updates without altering the planned schedule, maintaining the integrity of the baseline.

A screenshot would display the “Update Tasks” window with sample actual data entries.

Recalculating Schedule Based on Actuals

Recalculating the project schedule after updates involves:

1. Going to the “Project” tab.

2. Clicking “Update Project,” then selecting “Update Work as Scheduled” or “Update Resource" as appropriate.

3. Choosing “Reschedule uncompleted work to start after status date” allows MS Project to adjust the remaining tasks based on the actuals entered.

4. This recalculation updates all task dates and slack times based on current progress, potentially changing the critical path.

5. A screenshot should illustrate the “Update Project” dialogue with options selected.

This process aligns the schedule with real-world progress, enabling more accurate forecasting.

Showing Baseline and Current Bars on Gantt Chart

Displaying both baseline and actual bars on a Gantt chart enhances visual comparison:

1. Right-click the Gantt chart, select “Bar Styles.”

2. In the Bar Styles dialog, ensure “Baseline” styles are visible and assigned distinctive colors or patterns.

3. Add actual progress bars by ensuring the “Actual Start” and “Actual Finish” fields are populated.

4. These modifications display baseline bars in gray or dashed lines, while current progress appears in color (blue or red).

A screenshot of the customized Gantt chart illustrates the visual distinction.

Project Scenario Analysis

The hypothetical project consists of seven tasks with baseline durations and dependencies, with actual progress indicating some adjustments during execution. Initially, the network diagram and schedule analysis identify the critical path, slack times, and project duration. Baselining locks this plan, establishing a performance standard.

When Task 3 completes early, and Task 4’s duration increases, schedule recalculations suggest a shifted critical path and altered project duration. The project management toolkit within MS Project allows updating the schedule, comparing baseline versus actual progress, and making strategic decisions based on these insights.

Impact on Effort, Duration, and Critical Path

Adjustments such as early task completion and increased task duration influence the project in various ways. First, total effort may remain similar in aggregate, reflecting resource reallocation but often shows increased effort to compensate for delays or acceleration. Second, project duration generally extends due to Task 4’s increased duration, especially if it lies on the critical path, which it does in most cases. Third, the critical path shifts as task dependencies are impacted; the delay in Task 4 may extend or move the critical path, emphasizing the dynamic nature of project scheduling.

Conclusion

MS Project offers comprehensive features to facilitate effective monitoring and control of project schedules through baseline setting, tracking actuals, recalculating schedules based on real progress, and visual comparisons through Gantt charts. These tools enable project managers to adapt to changes proactively, accurately assess project performance, and maintain control over project timelines and efforts. Understanding how to utilize these features effectively is vital for successful project completion.

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