2 management - School of International Business and ...

229 Project Management
2.3.2 PROJECT CONTROL
When deviations are detected from the plan-actual comparison during project monitoring, one must
now decide whether and which control measures must be taken in order to bring the project back to
plan. Project control has the responsibility to counteract any deviation found and to use measures
in order to successfully reach the project goals and tasks according to the project contract.
Project monitoring consists of the following components:
– Variance analysis
– Choosing measures for correction
– Tracking measures
– Opening a change request, if needed
2.3.2.1 VARIANCE ANALYSIS
The variances found in the project results and/or over the course of the project are analyzed in
the context of project control. This takes place using the so-called 'W questions'
What happened?
When did it happen?
Where did it take place?
How did it take place?
Why did it happen?
Who took part?
What effects does the variance have on project success?
After analyzing the presented variances, appropriate countermeasures must be gathered and
chosen.
2.3.2.2 CHOOSING CORRECTIVE MEASURES
There are often small variations which require no corrective measures, since buffer times or other
reserves are available. If, however, the analysis points to serious variances which could endan-
ger the project's success, corrective measures must be taken. The project manager makes the
decision on the type and time for the measures. They also name the person responsible to carry
out the measures. Possible corrective measures to correct variances and to treat problems are:
– Instructing the team members
– Qualifying team members
– Freeing team members from non-project work
– Changing the distribution of workers' tasks