3.5P Manage Metrics

Creating the Project Scorecard (3.5P.P1)

Large projects should definitely be capturing metrics. There are two reasons for collecting the metrics – improving the project internal processes and declaring success on the project. 

This following process will result in the creation of a Project Scorecard, which is used to determine how successful the project was. The scorecard should include the metrics necessary to validate you have met the quality expectations of the customer since this should be one of the aspects of validating project success. 

 

Role

Managing Metrics (Large Projects)

Creating the Project Scorecard

1

Project Manager

Collect and improve your processes

The metrics will be collected on an ongoing basis throughout the project. The metrics need to be analyzed and compared to the target numbers. Process changes may need to be made based on the results of the metrics. In addition to the absolute values of each metric, it is also important to look at the trends. For instance, you may be over budget versus your target. However, over a series of months, the trend may show that you will hit your budget at the end of the project. In that case, no corrective action may be needed.

Likewise, you may have a target for client satisfaction to be a rating of four on a five-point scale. Your current rating may be a 4.1. However, if the prior ratings were 4.5, 4.3 and 4.2, then the trend is going in the wrong direction and you may want to make changes – even though you are actually above target today.

2

Project Manager

Analyze the scorecard metrics throughout the project

Evaluate the overall metrics you are collecting on a monthly basis to ensure they still accurately reflect the overall project status and that they are driving the behaviors desired. If they are not, make changes as appropriate.

Improving Internal Project Processes

Ongoing Processes (3.5P.P2)

3

Project Manager

Collect and improve your processes

The metrics will be collected on an ongoing basis throughout the project. The metrics need to be analyzed and compared to the target numbers. Process changes may need to be made based on the results of the metrics. In addition to the absolute values of each metric, it is also important to look at the trends. For instance, you may be over budget versus your target. However, over a series of months, the trend may show that you will hit your budget at the end of the project. In that case, no corrective action may be needed.

4

Project Manager

Analyze the metrics throughout the project

Evaluate the metrics you are collecting on a monthly basis to ensure they still accurately reflect the project processes and that they are driving the behaviors desired. If they are not, make changes as appropriate.