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Project Management, Software Development

Imagineering the Future of Animated AI for Project Management

When you understand all of the incredible things that Artificial Intelligence (AI) can do, it’s not much of a stretch to imagine an Earned Value Management platform where you talk to tasks and form a working relationship with them.  Consider an AI-enabled task that acts like a person. It might schedule a call with you and say, “Hey! I’m a risky task in your portfolio … Continue reading Imagineering the Future of Animated AI for Project Management

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EVM, Microsoft Project, Project Management, Scheduling, Software Development

The Future (and History) of Earned Value Management

Today, government agencies and their contractors use six decades-old Earned Value Management (EVM) to tackle them. We have certainly advanced today, but what can we learn since EVM arose in the 1960s to help us manage large-scale projects? Let’s explore earned value past, stop at modern EVM, and then leap into a future, revolutionary EVM. Continue reading The Future (and History) of Earned Value Management

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Uncategorized

How High-Performing Projects Balance Performance and Earned Value Management Compliance

When you look off into the distance—toward the mountain-top goal of having a top-notch Earned Value Management System (EVMS)—what is the most important element of the equation: compliance, performance–or a mix of both? In case you’re wondering, “compliance” relates to whether the project is adhering to EVM guidelines, and performance relates to whether it is delivering on scope, schedule, and cost objectives. Some experts say, … Continue reading How High-Performing Projects Balance Performance and Earned Value Management Compliance

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EVM, Project Management, Scheduling

Remote Earned Value Management Strategies in a Post-Pandemic World

What many believed was a temporary remote work phenomenon during COVID-19 is on track to become the new normal. Today, as the pandemic gives way to The Great Resignation, knowledge workers are scarcer than ever, and those that remain in their jobs want to work from home or in a hybrid work environment. In fact, a 2021 Owl Labs study showed that 48% of employees … Continue reading Remote Earned Value Management Strategies in a Post-Pandemic World

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Run!AzTech, Scheduling

Ultimate Pro Tips – Part 1: Analyzing a Schedule in UNDER 10 Minutes — The Setup

{by Luis Contreras} Schedule analysis can range from simple checks, to advanced, deep dive analysis leveraging complex filters and metrics. For larger Integrated Master Schedules (IMS files), analyzing a schedule can take 80 resource hours, or more! Sometimes, it may involve a team of Schedulers. Schedule analysis is often laborious and error prone. Think of the hours associated with this continued analysis over time and … Continue reading Ultimate Pro Tips – Part 1: Analyzing a Schedule in UNDER 10 Minutes — The Setup

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Microsoft Excel, Tool Tip

Quickly Add Stripes to Excel

{by AzTech} Quickly add stripes to Excel – Rows with alternating colors pop and make your spreadsheet easier to read and use. Here’s a quick tip for adding alternating row colors: Click the Home tab > Styles > Conditional Formatting > Manage Rules > New rule > Use a formula to determine which cells to format > Enter this formula =MOD(ROW(),2)=1 > click Format. On the … Continue reading Quickly Add Stripes to Excel

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EVM, Project Management, Scheduling

IPMRs are Getting a Shake Up, Let’s Review

{by Luis Contreras}   With the new IPMR2 coming out soon, see our update here, we’ve been reflecting on the current IPMR. For those trying to get caught up on all this, here are boiled down details on the requirements for the current IPMR: About the IPMR The IPMR contains data for measuring cost and schedule performance on Department of Defense (DoD) acquisition contracts. It is structured … Continue reading IPMRs are Getting a Shake Up, Let’s Review

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EVM, Microsoft Project, Project Management, Scheduling

What’s New in Excellent Scheduling Guidance?

{by Luis Contreras} It’s been roughly 4 years since the NDIA’s Planning & Scheduling Excellence Guide (PASEG) was updated and the newest version 3.0 is now available. What’s new in this handy 200+ page scheduling reference guide? PASEG 2.0 (June 2012) versus 3.0 (March 2016):   Cosmetically Prettier Updated exhibits give the entire document a brighter, crisper look. But, let’s not be superficial…there’s more meat … Continue reading What’s New in Excellent Scheduling Guidance?

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CPM, EVM, EVM World, Project Management, Scheduling, Uncategorized

Top 7 Takeaways from EVM World

{by Luis Contreras} The 2016 EVM World seemed focused on compliance this year with lots of talk about PARCA and DCMA revising Integrated Program Management Report (IPMR) and EVM policy and data requirements. 1 – New Comprehensive Format 7 Aside from DFAR and 5000.02 changes, the agencies want to consolidate IPMR Formats 1-4 into a new and more comprehensive Format 7. Today, Format 7 contains time-phased … Continue reading Top 7 Takeaways from EVM World

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Uncategorized

Why Calendars Take More Than a Leap of Faith

{by Luis Contreras} Leap years remind us that in the world of project management calendars matter and can impact cost and schedule. When building a schedule, setting up calendars is an essential early step to assure that dates are consistent across the project. This is especially important for global projects or projects with major partners or subcontractors / suppliers. Here are 3 tips that apply … Continue reading Why Calendars Take More Than a Leap of Faith

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