Progress Analysis (SAP Library

Progress Analysis

Use

Progress analysis is the tool you use to determine planned and actual project progress values, and to compare the two sets of data. The system uses the overall planned costs to evaluate the work done, meaning that that evaluation is not dependent on the costs planned or posted by period. You can determine the relevant values at any time or as part of the period-end closing work that you plan in the Schedule Manager.

You can evaluate progress analysis data using the standard reports provided for this purpose in the project information system. You also have the option of defining your own reports, which you can tailor precisely to your information needs.

See Evaluating Project Progress .

Progress analysis is best used on projects where:

Time is critical

You have planned a lot of work packages

Processing is resource-intensive - for example, include time spent by developers working on an R&D project.

Progress does not depend on the costs being incurred - that is, progress cannot be derived from the costs being incurred

You can implement progress analysis as follows:

Internally, to identify schedule and cost variances promptly You can then take appropriate action.

For example, capacity bottlenecks mean that your project is not keeping to schedule. However, costs are lower than expected. If it is now more important to keep to schedule than to keep to budget, the project management can enlarge the project team, which can then catch up.

Externally, to supply the ordering party with the necessary reports on the execution of the project As the system generates the appropriate reports automatically, everyone involved in the project can keep track of its progress. Clear information and good communications thus become important factors in your project's success.

If billing in your project takes place when a milestone is reached, progress analysis supports acceptance of the milestones. The data from the analysis documents the fact that the project team has achieved the milestone as agreed.

You can use progress analysis as an objective measuring instrument, comparing the success of several projects.

Features

As your project progresses, you can use progress analysis to obtain answers to the following questions:

Question	Answered by	Description
How far should my project progress by a particular point in time?	Planned POC	The planned POC is the value of the work planned for up to a certain point in time, expressed as a percentage of all the work required. It is calculated using rules and based on the project data.
What is the value of the planned services?	BCWS	This is the value of the planned services, relating to a reference factor (planned costs or overall budget) for the overall value of the work to be done. It is calculated as follows: BCWS = Planned POC * overall costs
How far has my project actually progressed?	Actual percentage of completion (POC)	The POC is the value of the work actually done up to a certain point in time, expressed as a percentage of all the work required. It is calculated using rules and based on the project data.
What is the value of the actual work performed?	BCWP	This is the value of the services actually rendered in relation to a reference factor (planned costs or overall budget) for the overall value of the services. It is calculated as follows: BCWP = Actual POC * overall costs
What are the planned costs?	Accumulated planned costs or overall budget	The total value of the work to be carried out.
Which values act as the reference factor for the overall value of the work done?	Accumulated planned costs or overall budget	The total value of the work to be carried out.
What costs have already been incurred for the project?	Actual costs, or ACWP	Costs actually incurred.
Are schedule variances occurring?	SV = BCWP - BCWS	Schedule variance (SV)
What are the costs resulting from schedule variances?	CV = BCWP - ACWP	Cost Variance (CV)
How accurate was my planning? What are the rates for cost overrun/underrun?	CPI = BCWP /ACWP	Value index (CPI) showing the ratio of the increase in value to the actual costs.
What are the total costs to be expected if the cost variance continues?	EAC	Estimated costs at completion (EAC) resulting from the changed project processing? EAC is calculated as follows: EAC = (BCWS - BCWP) / CPI