S-Curve

Question

Hello,

I'm new here, and I have spent much time trying to find an answer on the internet, but in vain so far. Please help me to build an S-Curve. I have Tasks and I need to know a progress (planned vs. actual with time) for each of the tasks separetly as well as cumulatively (S-Curve). I will be looking at project Cost.

I would appreciate if someone could come up with detailed steps/instructions for me.

Thank you

 

Answer 1

Which version of Project are you using?

Answer 2

It's MS Project Standard 2007

Answer 3

One place to find them is under Visual Reports, the Earned Value Over Time report.  Or you can 'roll your own' by exporting the data to Excel and graphng it.  Remember EArned Value requires that you have baselined your project, you have set a status date in the project, and you have posted actual progress as of the status date.

Answer 4

Steve, thank you very much for your answer, but it's too general.

Would you please be so kind and share more details? I'm just starting with MS Project, therefore struggling with Earned Value Over time report. I set a baseline, status date (not qute clear what a difference though) and allocated MH costs for each of the resources. Now I need to input an info regaRDING actual work done. How do I do that? Thank you!

Answer 5

Royser12345,

You'd be best to ask very specific questions to get specific answers.  To find the details on differences between the terms you mention in your post, you can see all these definitions in Project's Help.  

Project is a relatively complex and specialised beast despite the "Office" moniker. Meantime, perhaps you would be helped best if you picked up a book on Project.  There are many good ones available. Perhaps take a 2-day course to get you a jump-start as you'd get the opportunity to query the teacher.  You'll also find good info and links to other good sources of learning info at http://project.mvps.org/.

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--rms www.rmschneider.com

Answer 6

Rob, thank you! I expected this type of answer. I perfectly understand that there are more than 2 many ways of acquiring MS Project knowledge and proficiency, but the thing is that I need the answer quick. Of course I tried to get the answer myself from Help and internet, but realized it takes more time then I expected, and that is why I came here. But if these sort of questions is not forum format - no offence. I understand that explaining the basics might not be easy )))

Answer 7

To get the absolute quickest answers to your questions about the Project terms .... put those columns on the view, hover mouse pointer over the heading, pick "help on ..." and go straight to the definitions.

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--rms www.rmschneider.com

Answer 8

I'm probably late to a response. Either Carl Chatfields book, Step by Step with Project or the more advanced Inside Out booy by Teresa Stover are great resources. The more basic steps are in Carl's book. You can tread lightly with earned value. Another source mentioned online Help. This will work well if you open up your project, and apply the Earned Value table to the view. Then hover over each table header to read a quick definition, or press f1 for help on the column.

 

Keep in mind what others have said: you need to be tracking actuals, setting costs, and have set a baseline. Remember, set the baseline at the right time. It's the last thng you should do before tracking begins.