I suggest you must go to site and investigate what is the remaining works. Make a punchlist of every items that is not yet finished. Within this data, check the BOQ items and compare it. That is the simple way, Right? As my understanding, your boss wanted to know that after the project duration was lapsed. Then what is the status of the Project? Remaining quantity over Original quantity(BOQ) am I right? Then the second question, " How much time will be needed to complete the project?" Then you should prepare a detailed or summary schedule based on your punchlisted item.
Youre absolutely right James. I think this is a case where either one can not convince his boss or his boss is just plain stupid and stubborn. In both cases, people should know what to do next.
cheers,
Se
Member for
19 years 5 months
Member for19 years5 months
Submitted by James Griffiths on Mon, 2007-06-25 03:44
Ulysses, please stop putting obstacles in the way of what needs to be done. We have done everything possible to answer your questions...and the answer itself is actually very, very simple. The equation: % Complete = Actual/[Actual+Remaining] is valid for ALL units of measurement. There is no other choice, no other option, no other method. To give yourself, your Boss and your Client some indication as to the current %Complete, you must CHOOSE one unit and use it. If necessary, you need to estimate what quanitity of these units have already been used (you know the cost and duration) so why not use them. All you need to do is attempt to plan the remaining cost and remaining duration. It really is a simple as that - or am I being a total idiot?
make use of the Bill of Quantities (im sure it exist), then from there, create your plan as you assumed how it is to be done; then calculate the actual physical progress based on quantities and costs (if available); otherwise, convert it to manhours, then i suppose youll determine the remaining duration from there.
Tell your Boss, you cannot run the existing program anymore given the data (as you mentioned), so you need to create another plan (thats another job for you!); if they dont understand it, i suggest you find another Boss!
Member for
20 years 2 months
Member for20 years2 months
Submitted by ulysses garcia on Sun, 2007-06-24 12:50
Thanks for the reply, you have enligthened me some of the points which i believed you are right but you may elaborate it further ..(as you said you dont need to plan the completed activities???)
Other ideas...
Member for
22 years 11 months
Member for22 years11 months
Submitted by Bernard Ertl on Sat, 2007-06-23 10:40
Then the client’s is asking you what is the % progress status of the project to date.
The only way to answer this is to plan *all* the work (completed + left to complete). You dont need to schedule completed work, but you do need to estimate it if you intend to measure progress against manhours/physical progress.
I dont quite understand when you said there is no RD anymore. Of course there is, because the project is not yet finished. Maybe the reason why youre saying theres no remaining duration is because the 700 days has passed already. But in reality, to complete the project, you still need some time to complete it.
So I dont agree that theres no RD anymore.
Cheers,
Se
Member for
18 years 5 months
Member for18 years5 months
Submitted by Ashraf Jahangeer on Sat, 2007-06-23 07:52
Do..you? We have recived 15 posts from you...on the same subject. First the question, then the answer, then the explanation and then lots of ifs and buts..
I guess your bosses are not in today or on vacation.
Regards,
Ashraf
Member for
20 years 2 months
Member for20 years2 months
Submitted by ulysses garcia on Sat, 2007-06-23 07:33
In this case, I guess you have to start doing a "what should have been programme". After doing this, you can start statusing the progress of each activity of the project. The formula is not 700days total duration divided by 700 days actual duration. Using duration of each activity, the formula should be Sum(OD-RD)/Sum(OD).
I hope this helps.
Se
Member for
20 years 2 months
Member for20 years2 months
Submitted by ulysses garcia on Sat, 2007-06-23 06:15
Ulysses - you are absolutely correct, in that you will get different results. However, you HAVE to choose which unit of measurement you are going to use. Every planner in the world has to make that choice every time they construct a plan. Every planner has their own preference, clients have their own preference. However, it doesnt make any difference as to which one you use, as long as everyone understands it - and you can easily measure it.
James.
Member for
20 years 2 months
Member for20 years2 months
Submitted by ulysses garcia on Sat, 2007-06-23 05:53
You are rigth theorotically, but to all planners correct me if Im wrong, In my knowledge there are different method to know the % progress and the result will vary according to what basis of measurement you are using. Try to use % based on the ff.. ( DURATION, PHYSICAL, MH, COST,AND E.V.) Im sure you will get different results.
Member for
19 years 5 months
Member for19 years5 months
Submitted by James Griffiths on Sat, 2007-06-23 05:29
Please understand that it does not make any difference what unit of measurement you are using. The equation is exactly the same % Complete = Actual / (Actual+Remaining). This is just basic mathematics.
James.
Member for
18 years 5 months
Member for18 years5 months
Submitted by Ashraf Jahangeer on Sat, 2007-06-23 05:24
dur-100%=360 days,then assume based on your eye view 30%=108 that is remaining in percent or days. so u just deduct 108 day from 360 days timeframe that have passed, now you got the percent to date.
Hope this will help.
Member for
20 years 2 months
Member for20 years2 months
Submitted by ulysses garcia on Sat, 2007-06-23 05:24
The project duration is 700 days, so if i use duration to measure progress it will comes out 100% in a sense that the project consumed already the 700 days. but the physical % is not yet completely 100%.
Member for
19 years 5 months
Member for19 years5 months
Submitted by James Griffiths on Sat, 2007-06-23 05:15
How can your project be 100% complete if it isnt finished? You obviously need to add what you think to be the remainder of the project duration. Therefore, the current % complete = 700/(700+Remaining Duration). Exactly the same equation is applied if you want to use manhours - ie. Actual Manhours / (Actual Manhours+Remaining Manhours)
James.
Member for
20 years 2 months
Member for20 years2 months
Submitted by ulysses garcia on Sat, 2007-06-23 04:59
Thanks for your ideas, If duration or MH is my basis to measure % progess it will become 100% or more because the project duration is 700 days and already elapse. The second option that im thinking is to measure it by physical % progress, but the question is?? HOW and WHEN do i start the Schedule and at what basis to measure the actual % accomplished?
Member for
20 years 4 months
Member for20 years5 months
Submitted by Raja Izat Raja… on Sat, 2007-06-23 03:52
why dont u count by duration based on time frame given in contract, in parallel with that prepared somthing for your next action plan either by commodity or manhours.
just an idea.
Member for
20 years 2 months
Member for20 years2 months
Submitted by ulysses garcia on Sat, 2007-06-23 02:47
Progress has to be measured against a plan or estimate. If you dont have a plan or estimate, you have no basis for measuring progress. The only option is to develop a plan/estimate.
Actually I am in project mangement directly in the clients side. Our company is hired it is mainly because the owner want to know the project in a comprehensible status since this is out of its track bound to nowhere.
Is there any options..
Member for
19 years 5 months
Member for19 years5 months
Submitted by James Griffiths on Thu, 2007-06-21 09:59
You could always tell the client that a stray dog did a wee-wee on your computer, and corrupted the disk. This will give you the chance to make-up a completely new programme that reflects whatever % Complete that you wish to imagine.
Seriously, though. Are you saying that you have no programme to which you can refer? If there is no programme, you really dont have much choice but to just make-up a programme or XL spreadsheet, input some figures that look reasonable, input some progress and see the result. You could use either mahours, duration, physical % Complete, $ spend. Use any form of measurement unit - just get something on paper that calculates and justifies whatever number that is reasonably believable. You can then use the spreadsheet to monitor the remainder of the project. Moreover, if you have found that your tracking system is utterly and completely wrong, and you need to change your % complete, you can always claim that you discovered a mathematical error in your programme/spreadsheet.
It really doesnt matter what you use. Just get something written down. To show that you have absolutely no system at all, is just not an option.
James.
Member for
19 years 6 months
Member for19 years7 months
Submitted by Karim Mounir on Thu, 2007-06-21 09:54
U must have a methodology to get the progress % from, U can use cost or activity days (weightiness of activities) for example in the assessment of progress.
But u should have used this methodology from the start of the project not after completion of 30%, 40% or 60%, at least to compare the progress on site.
Regards,
Karim
Member for
20 years 2 months
Member for20 years2 months
Submitted by ulysses garcia on Thu, 2007-06-21 09:30
Start tracking from time-now. Ignore what has gone before, as you cannot verify anything. Q. How do they know its about 60%? What unit of measure are they using...or is it just the fact that "they" are highly experienced and have a good guess, based on such experience?
Member for
6 years 11 monthsDear All,Project Progress
Dear All,
Project Progress Measurement concept is given in a simple and clear manner in the following YouTube link, which may be of your interest.
UCJ1QCqXRumD34CFwYPb1dmw
Regards,
R. Jagadeesan
Member for
21 years 3 monthsRE: Method to Track Progress
Ulysses,
I suggest you must go to site and investigate what is the remaining works. Make a punchlist of every items that is not yet finished. Within this data, check the BOQ items and compare it. That is the simple way, Right? As my understanding, your boss wanted to know that after the project duration was lapsed. Then what is the status of the Project? Remaining quantity over Original quantity(BOQ) am I right? Then the second question, " How much time will be needed to complete the project?" Then you should prepare a detailed or summary schedule based on your punchlisted item.
Member for
18 years 4 monthsRE: Method to Track Progress
Hey Ravi,
ur becoming expert in Arabic..............!
good
Member for
18 years 5 monthsRE: Method to Track Progress
Its arabic meaning NO PROBLEM (I guess so!)
Member for
20 years 2 monthsRE: Method to Track Progress
annon
how you know mafi muskala , are you really in antarctica
Member for
19 years 1 monthRE: Method to Track Progress
very popular like mafi moskela (no problem); why bother anyway...
but i prefer to say it mafi moksila...
Member for
22 years 4 monthsRE: Method to Track Progress
It reminds me of a phrase... this is unacceptable!
Member for
19 years 1 monthRE: Method to Track Progress
Se, you could try my boss, ill place a bet!
Member for
24 years 5 monthsRE: Method to Track Progress
Youre absolutely right James. I think this is a case where either one can not convince his boss or his boss is just plain stupid and stubborn. In both cases, people should know what to do next.
cheers,
Se
Member for
19 years 5 monthsRE: Method to Track Progress
Ulysses, please stop putting obstacles in the way of what needs to be done. We have done everything possible to answer your questions...and the answer itself is actually very, very simple. The equation: % Complete = Actual/[Actual+Remaining] is valid for ALL units of measurement. There is no other choice, no other option, no other method. To give yourself, your Boss and your Client some indication as to the current %Complete, you must CHOOSE one unit and use it. If necessary, you need to estimate what quanitity of these units have already been used (you know the cost and duration) so why not use them. All you need to do is attempt to plan the remaining cost and remaining duration. It really is a simple as that - or am I being a total idiot?
Best of Luck.
James.
Member for
19 years 1 monthRE: Method to Track Progress
Uly,
make use of the Bill of Quantities (im sure it exist), then from there, create your plan as you assumed how it is to be done; then calculate the actual physical progress based on quantities and costs (if available); otherwise, convert it to manhours, then i suppose youll determine the remaining duration from there.
Tell your Boss, you cannot run the existing program anymore given the data (as you mentioned), so you need to create another plan (thats another job for you!); if they dont understand it, i suggest you find another Boss!
Member for
20 years 2 monthsRE: Method to Track Progress
Hi bernard
To get manhour for completed works at this present situation is impossible ( pls. read my previous post).
You made mentioned about physical % in doing so , i believed manhour is useless to used because both will differ from the other.
Member for
22 years 11 monthsRE: Method to Track Progress
Percent complete as manhours/physical progress is a measure of manhours credited against the plan versus total planned manhours.
You need to estimate the manhours for the total project in order to determine what percentage of those manhours have been completed.
You should create a schedule for the remaining work.
Bernard Ertl
InterPlan Systems
Member for
20 years 2 monthsRE: Method to Track Progress
Hi bernard,
Thanks for the reply, you have enligthened me some of the points which i believed you are right but you may elaborate it further ..(as you said you dont need to plan the completed activities???)
Other ideas...
Member for
22 years 11 monthsRE: Method to Track Progress
The only way to answer this is to plan *all* the work (completed + left to complete). You dont need to schedule completed work, but you do need to estimate it if you intend to measure progress against manhours/physical progress.
Bernard Ertl
InterPlan Systems
Member for
20 years 2 monthsRE: Method to Track Progress
hi se
of course there is RD but your formula is based on duration so for this reason it wont works.
Member for
24 years 5 monthsRE: Method to Track Progress
Hi Uly,
I dont quite understand when you said there is no RD anymore. Of course there is, because the project is not yet finished. Maybe the reason why youre saying theres no remaining duration is because the 700 days has passed already. But in reality, to complete the project, you still need some time to complete it.
So I dont agree that theres no RD anymore.
Cheers,
Se
Member for
18 years 5 monthsRE: Method to Track Progress
You Think?
Do..you? We have recived 15 posts from you...on the same subject. First the question, then the answer, then the explanation and then lots of ifs and buts..
I guess your bosses are not in today or on vacation.
Regards,
Ashraf
Member for
20 years 2 monthsRE: Method to Track Progress
To all best planners,
I think there is no other option to used other than Physical % to track the progress.
However there are two other questions that remains stillmate,
HOW and WHEN to start making the schedule based on the datas i previously posted..
Member for
20 years 2 monthsRE: Method to Track Progress
To make things clear, I would say like this..
Supposed ..You are assign to a project then you found out the following conditions;
1. No project schedulling data exist.
2. Actual duration = 700 days
Original duration = 700 days
3. Original cost = 500 mil
Actual cost = 500mil
4. No data for MH.
The project still not completely finished
Then the clients is asking you what is the % progress status of the project to date.
What is your answer??
Member for
20 years 2 monthsRE: Method to Track Progress
Hi SE,
There is no remaining duration exist,the remaining is only physical
Member for
24 years 5 monthsRE: Method to Track Progress
Hi Uly,
In this case, I guess you have to start doing a "what should have been programme". After doing this, you can start statusing the progress of each activity of the project. The formula is not 700days total duration divided by 700 days actual duration. Using duration of each activity, the formula should be Sum(OD-RD)/Sum(OD).
I hope this helps.
Se
Member for
20 years 2 monthsRE: Method to Track Progress
Below , I forgot to mentioned that the status of the project is still not completed.. as per the ff. datas.
Member for
20 years 2 monthsRE: Method to Track Progress
Back to original Question.. the problem that im facing rigth now is this.
Project duration = 700 days -> Actual duration = 700 days
Project Cost = 500 million -> Actual cost = 500 million
Physical % progress = not known
MH = not known.
Previous status = not known and no schedulling method previously done.
The question is HOW and WHEN to start the schedule to know what is the actual % progress to date.
Member for
20 years 4 monthsRE: Method to Track Progress
this is worst then i thought...
How- try define remaining activities measure by eye view, activities then use yr sense how many days remaining.
when - start from the early project to date plus remaining
Member for
19 years 5 monthsRE: Method to Track Progress
Ulysses - you are absolutely correct, in that you will get different results. However, you HAVE to choose which unit of measurement you are going to use. Every planner in the world has to make that choice every time they construct a plan. Every planner has their own preference, clients have their own preference. However, it doesnt make any difference as to which one you use, as long as everyone understands it - and you can easily measure it.
James.
Member for
20 years 2 monthsRE: Method to Track Progress
Back to original Question.. the problem is this..
Project duration = 700 days -> Actual duration = 700 days
Project Cost = 500 million -> Actual cost = 500 million
Physical % progress = not known
MH = not known.
Previous status = not known and no schedulling method previously done.
The question is HOW and WHEN to start the schedule to know what is the actual % progress to date.
Member for
20 years 4 monthsRE: Method to Track Progress
ulyses u were right, but seems u are in critical to produce report the only way to get back in track by duration.
Member for
18 years 5 monthsRE: Method to Track Progress
You are spot on....
Member for
20 years 2 monthsRE: Method to Track Progress
Hi James,
You are rigth theorotically, but to all planners correct me if Im wrong, In my knowledge there are different method to know the % progress and the result will vary according to what basis of measurement you are using. Try to use % based on the ff.. ( DURATION, PHYSICAL, MH, COST,AND E.V.) Im sure you will get different results.
Member for
19 years 5 monthsRE: Method to Track Progress
Ulysses,
Please understand that it does not make any difference what unit of measurement you are using. The equation is exactly the same % Complete = Actual / (Actual+Remaining). This is just basic mathematics.
James.
Member for
18 years 5 monthsRE: Method to Track Progress
Hi Uly,
For a client %progress only means money spent.
So you have to get the Cost Break Down from your commercials of Contract. Try to further break it down and then you can start monitoring against that.
Regards,
Ashraf
Member for
20 years 4 monthsRE: Method to Track Progress
Hi again,
first thing u got the
Example
dur-100%=360 days,then assume based on your eye view 30%=108 that is remaining in percent or days. so u just deduct 108 day from 360 days timeframe that have passed, now you got the percent to date.
Hope this will help.
Member for
20 years 2 monthsRE: Method to Track Progress
James,
The project duration is 700 days, so if i use duration to measure progress it will comes out 100% in a sense that the project consumed already the 700 days. but the physical % is not yet completely 100%.
Member for
19 years 5 monthsRE: Method to Track Progress
Hi Ulysses,
How can your project be 100% complete if it isnt finished? You obviously need to add what you think to be the remainder of the project duration. Therefore, the current % complete = 700/(700+Remaining Duration). Exactly the same equation is applied if you want to use manhours - ie. Actual Manhours / (Actual Manhours+Remaining Manhours)
James.
Member for
20 years 2 monthsRE: Method to Track Progress
Hi Raja,
Thanks for your ideas, If duration or MH is my basis to measure % progess it will become 100% or more because the project duration is 700 days and already elapse. The second option that im thinking is to measure it by physical % progress, but the question is?? HOW and WHEN do i start the Schedule and at what basis to measure the actual % accomplished?
Member for
20 years 4 monthsRE: Method to Track Progress
Hi Ulyses,
why dont u count by duration based on time frame given in contract, in parallel with that prepared somthing for your next action plan either by commodity or manhours.
just an idea.
Member for
20 years 2 monthsRE: Method to Track Progress
Hi Berard,
If you don’t have a plan or estimate, you have no basis for measuring progress. The only option is to develop a plan/estimate as you said...
Thank for the reply.. however my only concern is where do i start the plan/schedule to track the actual percentage of the project.
Any golden ideas..
Member for
22 years 11 monthsRE: Method to Track Progress
Progress has to be measured against a plan or estimate. If you dont have a plan or estimate, you have no basis for measuring progress. The only option is to develop a plan/estimate.
Bernard Ertl
InterPlan Systems
Member for
20 years 2 monthsRE: Method to Track Progress
Actually I am in project mangement directly in the clients side. Our company is hired it is mainly because the owner want to know the project in a comprehensible status since this is out of its track bound to nowhere.
Is there any options..
Member for
19 years 5 monthsRE: Method to Track Progress
You could always tell the client that a stray dog did a wee-wee on your computer, and corrupted the disk. This will give you the chance to make-up a completely new programme that reflects whatever % Complete that you wish to imagine.
Seriously, though. Are you saying that you have no programme to which you can refer? If there is no programme, you really dont have much choice but to just make-up a programme or XL spreadsheet, input some figures that look reasonable, input some progress and see the result. You could use either mahours, duration, physical % Complete, $ spend. Use any form of measurement unit - just get something on paper that calculates and justifies whatever number that is reasonably believable. You can then use the spreadsheet to monitor the remainder of the project. Moreover, if you have found that your tracking system is utterly and completely wrong, and you need to change your % complete, you can always claim that you discovered a mathematical error in your programme/spreadsheet.
It really doesnt matter what you use. Just get something written down. To show that you have absolutely no system at all, is just not an option.
James.
Member for
19 years 6 monthsRE: Method to Track Progress
U must have a methodology to get the progress % from, U can use cost or activity days (weightiness of activities) for example in the assessment of progress.
But u should have used this methodology from the start of the project not after completion of 30%, 40% or 60%, at least to compare the progress on site.
Regards,
Karim
Member for
20 years 2 monthsRE: Method to Track Progress
Hi James, Karim,
The 60% is a purely guess from the air , it maybe 40% or 30% if proper tracking tools were bieng used but no matter what is it?
The problem is the clients is asking the actual overall % to date.
The following question have built up into my mind..
1. What option is best to tell the clients for actual progress to date.
2. How do I create my schedule to reflect the previous % progress.
These two items are what the clients is asking for..
Member for
19 years 6 monthsRE: Method to Track Progress
if u r sure it’s 60% then u have to manage a way to monitor the remaining 40%, fix the previous % and progress the remaining % your way.
Regards,
Karim
Member for
19 years 5 monthsRE: Method to Track Progress
Hi Ulysses,
Start tracking from time-now. Ignore what has gone before, as you cannot verify anything. Q. How do they know its about 60%? What unit of measure are they using...or is it just the fact that "they" are highly experienced and have a good guess, based on such experience?
James :-)