Reality of Project Management and Control

When we look at the LinkedIn posts, we see many post about sophisticated concepts and techniques which seems majority of the projects around the world are utilizing these concepts and as the result they get delivered successfully!

However, our experience demonstrates the opposite scenario where the vast majority of the Projects are stuck in basics and failure owing to the lack of effective implementation despite many using CONSULTANTS! We have had many posts as regards utilization of Duration% complete, Dummy Resource, etc. to illustrates that Projects are failing in the BASIC concepts. Here are 3 cases we witnessed recentlys:

Case 1: The Dummy Resource Trap

A contractor used a Dummy Resource and reported 72% progress based on Duration. Our investigation found the actual progress was only 56%.

The Error: The Planner mixed Physical % Complete into the Duration % Complete field. They were reporting "Cumulative Duration" as progress, claiming the project was only 3% behind.

Case 2: Misaligned Metrics

The project reported being 6% behind (39% actual vs 45% plan). In reality, the progress was only 25% based on P6 Earned Budgeted Units.

The Error: The Planned curve was based on man-hours, but the rolled-up progress was based on duration. Reporting man-hours against duration is fundamentally incorrect.

Case 3: The Risk Analysis Paradox

A consultant performed a Schedule Risk Analysis (SRA) for a 28-month project. The P70 date showed only a 4-month delay.

The Reality Check: If the team is certain based on the current risk analysis there would be only 4 month delay, why don’t report to senior management that the project duration would be 32 months and ask for a 32-month budget?