P6 TIPS & TRICKS/PERTMASTER-RISK MANAGER/FEATURES-P7

• -In Hotmail also->Methodology to Import COST IDs->First Import from Excel to

(Blank Project in) P3 (as Cost IDs copied from a “Source” Excel File-from Project
Contract Documents or Other-and Pasted into P3 Exported Excel/Lotus/Dbase
IV File cannot exist without related “Activity IDs” in P3, for use in “Import” to P3
after data is entered in Excel-Assign False/Bogus Activity IDs in rows to “Pasted”
Cost IDs by auto-numbering Activity IDs->Import Excel File into P3, and
let “Bogus” Activity IDs remain as they are not harmful, or delete them-at which
stage the Cost IDs will now exist in the “Source” P3 Schedule)->Then Import P3
Schedule into P6 (at this stage the P3 Schedule will become a P6 Schedule),
under the same EPS Node where the host P6 Project is->When both Source and
Host P6 Project Schedules are under the same EPS Node, the COST Ids in
Source Project will show up “Globally” in Host Project. If the need to define
COST IDs as “Project” COST IDs arises, instead of “Global”, Copy/Paste COST
IDs from Source Project to Host Project-there is no particular need for this, as
COST IDs will appear “Globally” as described above. COST IDs (or RESOURCE
IDs) entered in Excel and Imported from Excel into the P6 Schedule, will not
be “recognized”-if they do not already “exist” in the Cost &
Resource “Dictionaries” in the P6 Schedule. If there already exists a P6
Schedule with Cost IDs/Cost ID Names->Include this P6 Schedule into the same
EPS Node as the “Host” Project in P6->the Cost IDs will show up “Globally” in P6
now and Activities can be assigned Cost IDs, individually or by Copy/Paste-Fill
Down as needed in the P6 Schedule “Host” Project or alternatively, this can be
now done in Excel-as Cost IDs entered corresponding to Activities in Excel-will
now be recognized on Import from Excel to P6). As Cost ID “Names” cannot be
Exported (and therefore cannot be “Imported”) in P3 (and thence into P6)->after
assigning Cost IDs to Activities in P6 “Host” Project, Export Activities with Cost
IDs from P6 Project to Excel-and assign Cost ID “Names” to Activities with Cost
IDs in Excel-by Filtering and Sorting, or Otherwise-when data is “Imported” back
into P6 from Excel, the Cost ID “Names” will now be recognized, as the Cost IDs
themselves exist in the P6 Cost Accounts “Dictionary”. Believe there is no facility,
as yet, to Import Cost IDs/Cost Account Names directly from Excel to P6.
• -ACTUALS/FINANCIALS/P6 “TIMESHEET”->Actuals/Spent can be entered
directly by the Project Manager (or Designee) directly in P6 Schedule (Bottom
Layout Details/Resources or Costs “Tab”) at every Stipulated Progress Period-
corresponding with Activity concerned-in Manhours, Dollars or Quantities/
Commodities. In “Admin Preferences”-Financial Periods can be defined, also
Batch Runs-and the Planned/Earned/Actual Values by Period can be Exported
to Excel if needed, using the P6/Export Function. The Actuals can be entered
by Receiver in Excel and then Imported back from Excel into P6 Schedule, with
Actuals-if they have not been entered directly by Responsible Parties into the
P6 Schedule as described above. In addition->The P6 “Timesheet” Program
Add-On allows personnel to enter Manhours on “Timesheets” based on defined
Timesheet Periods in “Admin Preferences” –and these Hours entered into P6
Add-On Timesheet Program allows automatic updating of P6 Schedule with
Actuals/Spent-when the “Apply Actuals” Command is executed- P6 “Timesheet”
Program not absolutely necessary, as Actuals/Spent can also be added as
indicated in the 2 Methods described above.

MASTER/SUB-PROJECTS->CREATION/PERIODIC UPDATES AND RELEVANT

METHODOLOGIES->

1. When "Master" Project contains All Activities-Including those for Sub-Projects-

-As P6 does not have the “Subproject” Function as in P3->Create Blank
Projects in P6 for various Subprojects->Then “Open” both the Master and Host
Schedules in P6, Organize/Group & Sort the Master (& Host) Schedule by
“WBS/Level 1” Only-and then Copy/Paste the Activities for the Subcontract (or
Subproject) from Master to Host Schedule as many times as needed (for various
Subcontracts/ External Parties), maintaining Option for “External Ties” and Issue
Subcontractor Subproject Schedules to be Updated (Periodically, as needed) by
concerned Stakeholders. On receiving subsequent Updates by Subcontractors-to
Update “Master” Schedule with Subcontractor Subproject Schedules->either use
the “Update Schedule” (Master) Function on P6/Import or Delete All particular
Subcontract Activities in Master Schedule and Copy/Paste Updated Subcontract
Schedule into Master Schedule, maintaining “External Relationships”. Both
Master and Subcontractor Schedules have to be “Open” in P6 to do this.
Subcontractor Schedule Updates can also be done by Issuing/Exporting
relevant Data from P6 to Excel (with content and detail used in the “old” manner-
>Standard Columns, Look-Ahead Activities by Department/ Discipline etc.)-where
the Export will be “Activity” based Option in P6 Export, with relevant Data/Options
chosen as needed according to standard “old” method-and then Import into P6
the Updated Excel File received from Subcontractors at each Reporting Period.
Note->”External” Relationship Ties when “Subprojects” are Open can also be
displayed for Subproject Activities having Ties to External Activities in Master
Schedule as “Columns” in “Activity Table”- selected from Column “List”& denoted
by “External Early Start” and “External Late Finish” (there are No Options to
display External “Actual Start” and “Actual Finish”).
2. When "Master" Project has to be Created; All Sub-Projects existing as Separate Projects-
>
-Consider that there are 2 Sub-Projects, as an example-in reality there may be
several. Open both the Sub-Projects/Create Baselines for Both Sub-Projects
/Logically "Link" Relevant Activities in Both Sub-Projects->as needed and
required-this can be done, as Both Sub-Projects are "Open" in P6. In "Group/
Sort" Option-> Group by "Grand Totals"-this will provide backdrop for "Master"
Project. Create New "Master" Project/"Open" Master and Sub-Projects and
Sort "Root" WBS Bands for Master and Sub-Projects "Alphabetically"-Option
#1. Go To WBS->With Master & Sub-Projects "Open" and using Arrows on
RHS of WBS "Screen"-Move "Master" Project to the "Top" of the heap of Sub-
Projects with Sub-Projects below Master Project-Note->This has to be done by
Highlighting and Moving the "Root" WBS's. Add "Summary" and "Key Milestone"
and "Interface" Activities as needed into the "Master" Project and Create
Logical "Links" from Sub-Project(s) Activities to Key Activities and Summary
Level Activities in the Master Project. On Baseline View or Periodic Updates to
Current Versions of Sub-Projects->the Logically Linked Master and Sub-Projects
will ensure that "Progress" Changes made on Periodic Updates to Sub-Projects,
on Scheduling/F9 will be reflected in Sub-Project Activities themselves (if Sub-
Project Activities are "Interlinked") and in the Master Schedule-NOTE->Master
and Sub-Project Schedules have All got to be "Open" to correctly observe
and gauge the "Impact" to each other based on "Progress" Updates-so that
Corrective Action can be taken if required.
3. USING "REFLECTIONS" IN THE PROGRESS UPDATING OF MASTER/SUB-PROJECT
SCHEDULES-
-Create "Reflections" of Master Schedule (This When Master Schedule contains
All Activities for All Sub-Projects)-by Right-Clicking on Master Project/Selecting
Create Reflection-in Enterprise/Projects View. "Reflections" Created represent
All Sub-Projects/Contractors who will receive the Master Project for Periodic
Progress Updating for their relevant Activities. Ensure that Each
Reflection "Project" contains a Unique Identifier in Project Name (usually
included at End of Name-such as ACME, BOZO etc.)-so that the Reflection
Schedules can be sent to and received from the designated Contractor and are
clearly delineated and segregated by [Link] File. In the Enterprise/Projects
View, the "Source" or "Master" Project will be denoted to the RHS of the
Individual Reflection Projects-which is not the case when you merely "Copy" a
Project instead of Creating a Reflection. When the XER Files for Progress
Updating are received from the Individual Contractors->Import these XER File
Updates into the "Original" Reflection XER Files, as designated by Contractor-
Ensure that "Update" Option is selected whilst Importing. When All Updated XER
Files are Imported completely->Select "Merge" File by Right-Clicking on Each
Reflection File-which will ensure All Updates by Each Contractor are "Merged"
into the "Source" or "Master" Project. When "Merge" Dialogue Box comes up-
Select "Merge" at RHS/Bottom for First Contractor "Merge" Activities
(Select "Activity View" prior to Merge First Contractor Schedule Update).
IMPORTANT NOTE->on Second and Subsequent Merging of Other Contractor
Updates->Ensure that ONLY the Progress Update for the Contractor concerned is
being Merged->As the "Merge" Dialogue Box shows ALL Activities-Therefore "Tick-
Off" in the Check Boxes on the RHS in Merge Dialogue Box Only those Activities
pertaining to the "Current" Contractor whose XER Updated File is being Merged-
>This can be done by noting the "Activity ID" Numbering, which should have a
Unique Identifier designating the various Contractors/OR "Roll-Up" Activities by
Grouping Bands shown on Dialogue Box-so that Only the Updates/Activities of the
Contractor being considered are shown in Detail and Others are "Rolled-Up" or
Summarized-then "Tick-Off" Check-Boxes of Activities Progress for Current
Contractor and hit "Merge" Option on RHS/Bottom of Merge Dialogue Box. Also
NOTE->Percent Complete does not show up in Merge "Report" Dialogue Box, but
comes through in "Source"/Master Schedule on Merging the Individual Contractor
Schedule Updates.
When All Contractor Schedule Progress Updates have been merged into Source/
Master Project->Reschedule Current Master Project, Compare to Master Schedule
Baseline and Conduct All Standard "Schedule Analyses" Computations, Presentations
and Reporting.
4. Details->Periodic Auto-Update of Schedule in P6 via Export/Import from Excel-
For Progress and Productivity Measurements-
In “Activities” Option-Export AS/AF/RD/Expected Finish/Physical % Complete-
By Contractor->in addition to other standard parameters already included
as “default” items to be Exported. In Export->Filter Out "Summary" Activities,
Option to Designate 3-Week Look Ahead Activities (OR Give All Activities-since
some Activities may be performed in a "Out-Of-Sequence" Mode), Designate/
Apply Filter for Activity Status "In Progress" and finally "Sort" by Start Date.
In Excel Import File->DO NOT ALTER Top 2 Column Header Lines or Any
of the "Tab" Designations at Bottom of Excel Spreadsheet or "User Data"
Worksheet. The "Filter" Function in Excel itself can be used to "Group" Activities
by Contractor, if needed.
On “Resources” Option-Export “Resources” and “Resource Assignments” as
applicable with standard “defaults”-along with Resource ID/BQ/”Actual” Units.
Before Import, delete All Other Activities in “TASKRSRC” Tab in Excel-which
have not been “Updated” this period, otherwise there may be an ERROR
message on Import.
All Fields in “Updated” Excel File to be Imported have to be “TEXT” designated
Fields-In Excel-for “Dates” etc.-Copy any Fields with “Existing” Dates (to
maintain “Format” as “Text” Fields) into “Cells” or “Column Range” which have
to be “Updated” this period->and then “Type” In Updated Dates or Data as the case
may be-so that “Text” Format is maintained (or alternatively use the ASAP Utilities
Function-after Updating existing Excel Version with/by getting “ASAP Utilities”
from MS Website - OR "Google" Search for MS -> ASAP Utilities and Install it into
Excel; then by selecting “ASAP Utilities/Data/Format Range”/Insert ”Text”, after
highlighting cells to be formatted, as “ASAP Utilities” will now exist on “Menu” at
Top of Excel Worksheet).
NOTES->
A. Resources and Costs have to be “defined” in P6 Dictionaries, before Activity-
assigned Resources and Costs are Imported, otherwise they will not be
recognized.
B. In Excel-When “Adding” Multiple Resources-Labor and Non-Labor-/Costs
to “One” particular Activity->they have to be “one-below-the-other” and
designated, if Resource, as “Labor” or “Non-Labor”.
C. When Adding “Numbers”/Quantities for “Budgeted Quantity” for example-
>First “Format” Blank/Empty Cells where Data is to be Entered as “Text”
Fields-then Add Figures/Numbers as needed for “Budgeted Quantity”. As
needed->Copy “Format” as "Text" Type for Cells requiring Number Entry-and
then Add “Real” Figures/Numbers. Cells have to be denoted as "Text" Type
(for "Number" Entry and Recognition by P6-such as Budgeted Quantity or
Duration)-Cells when denoted as "Text" need not have the "Green" Triangle in
Cell-LHS/Top. If "Green" Triangle is needed (which is normally not the case)-
the "Green" Triangles can be maintained in cells if Data is entered into cells "one
by one". If Group "Copy" is required from Range of cells to another Range
of cells, then highlight "Copy To" Range and designate "Copy To" Range by
denoting Format->"Text" Type.
D. Whilst Importing the Completed Progress Update Excel File->Ensure that
the "Update" Option is selected in P6 on Excel Spreadsheet Import.
E. As regards P6 Updates via Excel, Many fields that you think would be editable
in Excel for Reimport are not. Do not know why "Expected Finish" has an asterisk
in Excel Header Column, and is therefore not editable.
However, there is no asterisk on
- Actual Start / Finish
- Activity % Complete
- Remaining Duration
- Activity Status
Meaning that these ARE editable in Excel for re-import.
Workaround->
Create "User Defined" Date in P6->On Update-Export All Above Fields as well
as Expected Finish and the "User Defined" Date. In the Excel File, Instead
of Entering EF in Expected Finish Column, Enter it in User-Defined Field.
 After Importing the Excel File to P6 Project, Run Global Change-Expected
Finish=the "User Defined" Date Field. Once complete, Run Global Change-
>"User Defined" Date=Blank-that is "No Value-Just a Blank Field. Repeat for
All Updates Each Month.
F. Sometimes Global Change does not work in P6-as when trying to change
or add Resource IDs and when Resource Loading-In these cases, use P6
Export to transfer data to Excel, Add BQ or Other changes in Excel and then
Reimport data from Excel to P6 with needed changes.
To Be Noted->In P6 Table "Columns"->There is no facility to designate
or select "User Defined Fields" when "Resource" Option is selected when
selecting needed "User Defined Field"-As the "Table"/Column View selections
for "Columns" are for "Activities" Only-therefore selections can Only be
made for choices under "Activities" designation when using "User Defined
Fields" if they need to be displayed in Table/Column" View-selections made
under Options for "Resource" in "User Defined Fields" will not be able to be
displayed in Table/Column Views-even though they will exist in P6/Project
Database.

• Note on Direct Excel Export/"Text to Column" Option in Excel

Can Export Table View directly to Excel, but cannot Import "Directly" from
Excel to P6. Also, Excel Export will only have "Task" Tab, not
Resource or Cost Tabs- there Export will have only "Activities" Data. Can
Import Excel File if needed via the Formal P6 Import Function. Also, Note-
>In Excel, Data/"Text to Column" Option can desegregate an Item like WBS
from 11.22.33 to 11|22|33 "Columns" for use as Activity Codes etc.
F. UPDATING OPTION->EXCEL PROGRESS UPDATES AND THEIR
IMPORTS INTO "REFLECTION" SCHEDULE DERIVED
FROM "SOURCE"/MASTER SCHEDULE->
Progress Updates Reported By Contractor in Exported Excel Files -
as designated above->Then, Import Progress Update Excel Files By
Contractor-One By One- into a "Reflection" Project Created from Source
or Master Project previously, prior to Imports-> Reschedule "Reflection"
Project after Import of Each Contractor Excel Progress Update and Gauge/
Analyze "Impact" to "Reflection" Schedule By Each Contractor->After All
Contractor Excel Progress Updates have been Imported into "Reflection"
Schedule and their "Impacts" Gauged and Analyzed, "Merge" the "Reflection"
Project into the Source or Master Project-and Pull Reports and Presentation
 Material as needed for Periodic and Ad-hoc Project Controls requirements.

• -“Resource Rate” Definitions can be Added in P6-under Enterprise/Resources-

select Resource and then corresponding “Rate” in Dollars/Hour-Bottom Layout
Details/Resource. Rates can also be “Refreshed” as needed and will be changed
on all activities containing Resource(s)->”Tools/Recalculate Assignment Costs”.
• -Resource Loading cannot be Exported from Resource Profile or Usage
Spreadsheet (Bottom Layout Option)-but the “Activity Table”-Top Left (usually)
of screen can be Exported directly to Excel (Right-Click Mouse->Select Export to
Excel). Easiest Way->Resource and Cost Data can be Exported to Excel (via File
Saved as a CVS File, which is basically an Excel Format) from the P6 “REPORT”
Function-using In-Built SAMPLE P6 Reports or “Report Customization”->will
give standard “Resource” and “Cost Loading”-Time Based or Otherwise-can be
Saved as a PDF File (and then converted to Excel in Adobe Writer) or directly
sent from the P6 “Reports” Function as a CVS/Excel File-after which the data can
be manipulated in Excel to produce Charts/Tables etc. (most of the displays can
be done in P6 itself-Profiles or Usage Spreadsheets-but for high-level “Project”/
“Overall” EPCC type displays it may be better done in Excel). Once Budgeted
Quantities/Units for “Labor” and “Non-Labor” Resources are Loaded in Schedule-
per Notes in Sections as below->Budgeted or Planned/Earned/Actual-Spent
Values can be Exported, if needed, from P6 to Excel-where Progress/Forecast
and Productivity Measurements and Analyses can be conducted if so desired.
• Methodology Manager/Project Architect- A “Project” or “Methodology” can be
Imported into the P6 Methodology Manager (Database-MMDB, not PMDB-as in
Primavera Project Manager->MMDB Database will need to be accessed, and
not “clicked” through PMDB and changed to MMDB)-as an XER File for “Project”-
once in MMDB the XER “Project” becomes a “Methodology”. Once “What-
ifs” are run on the Methodology to be Imported into the “Project” (PMDB)
Database-(via “File/Project Architect” Option in PMDB)-which may include
playing around with “ranges” (High/Low) for Activity Durations, Resources (and
other parameters) in MMDB-Methodology Manager, before the Methodology
is selected and “Imported”->the Methodology can be “Imported” as a Project
using the “Project Architect” Option in the PMDB-Project Database (the “Project
Architect” Import Option allows one to “Tailor” the Methodology being Imported,
for parameters such as Size & Complexity in %s, WBS, “WPs and Docs” etc.-
before Import via “Project Architect”). The selected “Methodology”-when “What-
Ifs” are complete-can also be “Exported” from the MMDB-Methodology Manager
Database as an “XER” File to be Saved (or e-mailed) at/from any location on the
PC Hard Drive. The selected “Methodology” in Methodology Manager cannot
be “Scheduled/F9”->only the parameters such as WBS, Durations, Resource
 Quantities and Manhour “Ranges” can be changed to “customize” Methodology
before being Imported into PMDB via “Project Architect”. In MMDB-Methodology
Manager->The Methodology can be Saved->under “Methodology Properties”
as a Activity Library, Base or “Plug-In” Methodology-the “Plug-In” (Methodology)
being a System Fragnet-such as Feedwater System, Main Steam System etc.-
>Thereafter, when Importing via Project Architect (in PMDB-Primavera Project
Management) from MMDB-the appropriate Methodology can be selected-
whether “Base” or “Plug-In” (the latter being multiple Fragnets-FWS/MSS
Systems etc.)-If “Plug-In”, the multiple Fragnets can be conjoined logically to
produce the Project Schedule in PMDB-P6 Primavera Project Management
Database. A Database of “Plug-Ins” or Activity Library can be maintained in the
MMDB Database->to be used to “customize” and build an Entire Schedule in P6
via Import from MMDB by Project Architect in PMDB.
• Import WBS/Activity Codes/Cost Dictionary from Excel or Manipulate in P6
and Define-> This cannot be done (similar to Import of COST IDs described
above)-unless the WBS Structure/Dictionary is already “defined” in the P6
Schedule. Utilize the same approach as elaborated for COST IDs as above-
>Copy WBS Dictionary from any Excel Spreadsheet-from Project Contract
Documents or other Source-into Excel File to be Imported into P3 Project or
from WBS Structure meeting criteria for “current” project from other similar
Projects in P3 and Copy or Import from Excel or P3 Project into “current” Project
in P3-then “Import” P3 Project with WBS Structure into the P6 EPS Node
where “current” P6 Schedule resides-then the WBS Structure will be “defined”
for “current” Project in P6. Thereafter, WBS designations as assigned to
Activities for “current” Project in Excel, or assigned to Activities directly in the
P6 Schedule-will be “recognized” when Imported from Excel or assigned to
Activities directly in the P6 Schedule. Note->No "Names" will be Imported from
P3 to P6, only Values, as P3 Export to Excel cannot Export WBS and Activity
Code "Names" etc. If needed, "Dummy" Activities can be created in Excel File
to capture ALL Fields from External Excel File into P3 Import Excel File. If the
Project Detail in P3 File is sufficient-WBS/Cost Accounts/Activity Codes- no
need to Export from P3 to Excel File and Modify/Reimport to P3. Import P3 File
with All WBS/Cost Account/Activity Codes Data into P6 into a New EPS Node.
Activity Codes will all be Imported as "Project" Activity Codes-Do not Delete Any
Activities in this P6 Import-they can just "exist" in the P6 Database/EPS Node. If
P6 "Project" Activity Codes" are to be converted into EPS Activity Codes->use
the "Make into EPS" Option in Enterprise/Activity Codes-this means that these
Codes will be Deleted from "Project" Activity Codes and converted into EPS
Activity Codes. If needed to Convert from EPS Activity Codes to "Project" Activity
Codes->Copy concerned Project from current EPS Node to "New" EPS Node-
 which would accommodate this change.
1. Cost Accounts will be brought over in Import from P3 to P6 as "Project"/
Current Project Cost Accounts. These Cost Accounts will Exist at the "Project" as
well as the "Global" Level.
2. Note->Delete All Reference to Project Activity Codes in EPS Activity Code
Structure, before making "Project" Activity Codes into "EPS" Activity Codes-
Enterprise/Activity Codes Option. The "EPS" Codes thus created can be used
then for All Projects concerning a particular Client-such as Bechtel etc.
3. On Import from P3 to P6->the WBS will be brought over at the EPS Node
Level. If a "New" Project is Opened in the EPS Node in question, the WBS can
be copied, with or without "Activities" from Source Project to "New" Project, for
which there will be "Dialogue Box" Options.
• Baselines-Maintain/Assign-First Maintain Baseline by selecting “current” Project
(which is “Open”) and “Adding” Baseline-by either Copying Current Project or
Converting Another Project as “Baseline”-which are Options for Maintaining
Baselines. Thereafter, once Baselines are “Maintained”, Baselines can
be “Assigned” using the “Assign Baseline” Option-upto 3 Baselines can be
selected. Once Baselines are Assigned-standard Outputs displaying “Current”
and “Baseline” Data-ES/EF, Durations, Total Float etc. in Activity Table or Gantt
Chart can be formulated. Also, Note->To set the Project Baselines->the “Edit
Project Details except Financials” Project privilege must be “checked off”->in
Admin/Security Profiles/Project Profile/”Edit Project Details except Financials”.
• Earned or Actuals Value Formulations/Definitions-for Labor & Non-Labor
Resources, Progress & Productivity Measurements and Displays- When P6
Schedule has been Resource and Cost Loaded, directly in the P6 Schedule
or via Export from P6 Schedule and then Import from Excel Spreadsheets-
in “View/Bottom Layout Details”->Resource Usage Spreadsheet, Resource
Usage for Each Resource or “Overall” Resource Usage View can be displayed
and Printed as PDF Files or Printed directly for Presentation. In Adobe PDF,
these displays can be “Exported” to Excel (or MS Word) for further manipulation
and analyses-as for “Overall”/ “Project” EPCC Progress and Productivity
formulation and presentation, with “Weightages” assigned for the E/P/C/C
Phases of Project based on Dollar Values from Contract Documents or based
on similar Projects residing in the Company Historical Databases. In the View/
Top Layout Option in P6->”Earned Value”/Units can be displayed as a “Column”
in the Activity “Table”only for “Labor” Resource Units; also, Resource “Profile”
or “Usage” Spreadsheet in “View/Bottom Layout Details” measures ETC/EAC
based on “Budget-Actual”, not “Budget-Earned” Plus “Actuals/Spent to Date” (this
last for EAC). For the Second Issue->Go To Admin/“Admin Preferences”->and
Redefine ETC as being=PF (Productivity Factor, which is selected as PF=1)
 multiplied (x) by (Budget at Completion->which is Adjusted Budget or Original
Budget->MINUS Earned Value. With these “Adjustments”->All Reports, Profiles
and Table displays will be based on ETC as defined above for parameters as
selected. Labor and Non-Labor Resources exist in “View/Bottom Layout” Details-
Under “Resources”-one under another if “Budgeted Units” or “Units % Complete”
or other similar Options are selected under “Resource” Tab->there is No Option
available to display separate Budgeted “Labor” and Budgeted “Non-Labor” Units
in this area. Also, “Earned Value” Units for Labor can be displayed ONLY in
Activity “Table” (View/Top Layout Option)-along with “Budgeted Labor Units”
and “Units % Complete” as “Columns” in Activity “Table”. Also to be “Adjusted”-
>Using “Enterprise/Projects” Option->Bottom Layout Details/”Calculations” Tab-
>For “Activities”-Check Box for “Link Budget and At Completion for Non-Started
Activities” and For Resources-When Updating Actual Units or Costs, Click
Option “Subtract Actual from At Completion”.
• Resource/Cost Loading in Excel->Methodology and Process-& resulting Tables and
Reports/Displays in P6 Schedule-
It is not absolutely necessary to establish the “Cost Dictionary” in P6 (but
beneficial-as Costs assigned to each Activity can be cross-referencedwith
corresponding Cost ID, and thus aid in Valuations and for Payment purposes-in
addition to providing an “Earned Value” calculation using “Cost” as a parameter
instead of Duration or Unit (last-for Resource)-As the Costs assigned to each
Activity in the Excel Spreadsheet Imports-will be brought over on “Importing”
the Resource & Cost Loaded Excel Spreadsheets. Import only Activities with
Resources and Costs that are to be “Added”-not Activities with Resources and
Costs which already exist in P6 and may have been Exported to Excel-as there
will be an ERROR message on Import if this is done. In case of “modifying” a
Resource “Budget Quantity”-an “overwrite” of concerned “number” in Excel, prior
to Import into P6-may be attempted.
Note->On “Bottom” Detail on Layouts-All Labor (Manhours) and Non-Labor
(Commodities/Quantities) Units-on “Import”-will be displayed under Units Tab-but
will be distinguished by specific Resource ID (MR01, MCC2 etc), All Costs will be
displayed under “Expenses” Tab for respective Activity-Only “Costs” /”Expenses”
(Dollars) will be displayed-not COST IDs-as these may not have been entered in
the Excel Spreadsheets before Import; Refer Establishing COST IDs Dictionary
as given hitherto. For the Resource or Cost Profile or Table->select same
from “View” and choose what you want to display and Print for Reports-Total or
etc.. Profiles/Resource Usage Tables will give Plan/Progress-Earned & Forecast.
The Schedule is not to be used as a tool for Payment/Invoice Purposes, but
as a “support” to validate Payments/Invoices-however, Invoice and Schedule
Derived Percentages should be quite closely matched. “TO-DOs” IN EXCEL
 EXPORT (BEFORE IMPORT OF RESOURCE/COST DATA FROM EXCEL TO
P6)->-Each “Resource ID” should be in Separate/Different Column.
-Each Activity will contain –One (1) “Labor” Resource ID and One (1) “Non-
Labor” Resource ID. When Exporting Resource Data from P6 to Excel,
Export “Resource” as well as “Resource Assignments”-Option for which is
available when Exporting from P6 to Excel.
    -For All Activities-“Cost” will be Added in “ProjCost” Tab with “Cost ID”
Plus “Budgeted Cost Dollars” from relevant Source Data.        
-Add Resource/Labor Quantity on the “TASKRSRC” Tab
And not on the “TASK” Tab.
-Resource IDs & Cost IDs/“Budgeted” Manhours, Quantities and Dollars
(or “Actuals/ Spent” Values->this during Periodic Updates as below) -Loaded
(Initially with Budgeted Values-with Reference to the Contractual Documents
and/or B.O.Q.- or Expertise by Discipline/ Department Engineers or by Project
Controls Personnel who will Refer to Company Historical Databases for similar
projects or Estimate the Budgeted Values themselves through Experience and
Reference to Richardsons, R.S. Means, Sweets etc.; also Knowing “Overall”
Manhour/Quantity Values for Resource, such as Large Bore Piping Manhours/
Quantity-the “Overall” Large Bore Piping Manhours/Quantity can be segregated
by “Activities” for Large Bore Piping using “Duration” as the “ratio” delinearator
or factor) in Excel from P6 Export to Excel, can be “Imported” back from Excel to
the P6 Schedule when complete.
-Export/Import for Periodic (or Stipulated) Updates by Stakeholders (Discipline/
Department Engineers, Internal & External Parties concerned) via Excel-in
lieu of Updates to Master Schedule via P6 “Subprojects” as described above
in “Subprojects” section->Data such as Percent Complete, Actual Start/Finish,
Expected Finish, Remaining Duration, Actual/Spent Values etc. will be Exported/
Imported with P6 “Activity” (not “Resource” or Other) Export/Import “Options”
available in P6 and will exist in P6 Schedule Excel Export under the “TASK” Tab.

EXAMPLE OF RESOURCE LOADING IN EXCEL & IMPORT INTO P6->

1.       While exporting the XLS kindly mark the resource assignment window to be exported.

2.       Add a new resource assignment as example at (TASKRSRC) sheet attached XLS,

a.       Data added (Activity ID = P42HB-610, Resource ID = MCC4, Budget Units = 50)
3.       Import the XLS again and got this example successfully imported.

NOTE->“Add dictionary items to Primavera before assigning these items to activities in Excel. If you
assign a new value to an activity or resource that doesn’t exist in Primavera, then import will not add it
to the dictionary. This applies to resource, roles, activity codes and values, calendar, cost accounts, WBS,
and resource codes and values”.
 
• Note on “Levelization”->
Refer Hotmail (Search Criteria->”Levelization”) for Memos From/To Sabine Graile
from [Link]->Primavera Support Specialists for ILF Engineers & Consultants-
>
“5” e-mails in All with Sample P3 Fragnet Files->providing different
methodologies regarding “Levelization”->Last e-mail dated 18Feb10 from Sabine
Graile-> [Link]@[Link] ->
“Antwort: Questions on "Levelization" Options/Commands-Sample Schedule attached”-
with Sample P3 Schedule Fragnet and Explanation attached->
is most relevant, workable and adaptable.
Levelization is not recommended by using the Levelization Feature in P6-Instead
utilize Resource Profile Display to gauge "Available" Resources as compared
to Resource "Assigned" to Activities-and Manually Levelize so that Resource
Assignments do not Exceed Availability.
"Availability" of Resource(s) can also be used for Resource " BUCKET
PLANNING"-Go To Resource/Resource Assignments->then in RHS/Gantt
Display, Select "Remaining Units" or "Budgeted Units" and MANUALLY Adjust
Required "Units/Per Time Period" based on "Availability" of Resource(s).

• General Note on “Filter” for any Parameter, such as Activities->When selecting

Parameter-“Open State” equals “Open”->means that this “Filter” will select ALL
Activities.
• Note on Portfolio Management and Tracking->First Develop “Portfolio” of Projects-
by Location, Department, Project Manager or Other Parameters (Enterprise/
Portfolio “Option”-“ADD”)-Then access “Enterprise/Projects” Option-and Press
Control-Click to select Projects being Analyzed-and File/Open Projects-as
if Projects selected are not “Open”->All Parameters in “Columns” displayed
on the RHS of Project Designations will not necessarily be “visible”-Column
Displays can include Planned/Earned/Actual-Spent Values or can be selected
to display a slew of Other Parameters to Review, Analyze and Present. Also,
utilize “Enterprise/ Tracking” Option to display required Parameters on the LHS
and RHS of screen-by Right-Clicking on Column Headers and selecting Items
to be displayed-and then Review, Analyze and Present required deliverables-
Analyses using “Enterprise/Projects” & “Enterprise/ Tracking” Options can
include gauging the “Health” of the Portfolio of Projects selected->Progress/
Forecast and Productivity, Criticalities in Resources assigned to Projects-and
their reassignments to optimize the Portfolio Budgets & Schedules, Achievement
of Guaranteed Key Project Milestone Dates, Risk Levels etc.
• “View Progress Line” Option-For Activities Ahead/Behind shown Graphically
on Bar Chart does not exist in P6 as it does in P3-but does exist in P7-Note-
>The progress line represents the variance between select criteria in the current
project versus a baseline project. On the Progress Line tab of the Bar Chart
Options dialog box, you may set options for the line’s appearance, its baseline for
comparison, and whether it is based on start or finish date variance, or progress
points based on remaining duration or completion percentage.
• Enterprise/Tracking Option-then View Layout/Open Option in Tracking to
show already Built-In Global Layouts for Resource Analyses->Choose Layout/
then-Resource(s) based on Projects or Otherwise, Customize “Column”
Displays in the LHS/RHS “Panes” and Top/Bottom Details-to Analyze Resource
Usage, Allocation etc. across Project Portfolio, Specific Resource or Group of
Resources.
• Enterprise/Projects Option-Display Groups of Projects by Portfolio or Total
(on LHS)-Customize Columns on RHS to Display Planned/Earned/Actual
Values or Other Parameters-with Specific Project Details in Bottom Layout. For
selected Projects-assure that Projects are “Open”-as not all Parameters selected
in “Columns” on RHS will “display” if this is not done.
• Alternate->Making Global/EPS Activity Codes into ”Project” Activity Codes-
Create “ Project” Activity Dictionary” by Copy/Paste (For “Paste”-DO NOT USE
the “Paste” Button in the “Dialogue Box”, but rather “Right-Click” on Mouse and
then the “Paste” Option, otherwise you will get an “erroneous” Pasting of Data to
be Copied) “Global Activity Dictionary” already existing in P6-Copy Only the
Codes that relate with current Project being Built-Up/Analyzed. NOTE->In
The “Project” Activity Codes Dictionary-whilst Creating Duplicate Codes from the
Global Dictionary-be sure to Number/Text Activity Codes appropriately->that is, if
Global Code is “PNG”, then the Project Code should be “PNG-1”, so as to
maintain correspondence between them and eliminate Duplicity whilst Exporting/
Importing from P6 to Excel and vice-versa and maintain Integrity of Project
Codes and Simplicity of Operation. Export from P6 to Excel the “Global” Activity
Codes already assigned to All Activities or only sections/blocks you want to
assign “Project” Activity Codes to, in addition to Exporting
corresponding “Project” Activity Codes. When in Excel, Copy/Paste Activity
Codes from populated “Global” Activity Codes to blank “Project” Activity Codes,
either for All Activities or sections thereof. Then Import the File from Excel to P6-
and the “Global” and corresponding “Project” Activity Codes will be Imported into
concerned Project. In P6->the “Global” Activity Codes can now be deleted from
the Dictionary-so that the process for assignment of Activity Codes to Activities
becomes non-duplicative and easier-NOTE->It is possible when the “Global”
Activity Codes are deleted from the “Global” Dictionary, the “Project” Activity
 Codes may also be deleted in the “Project” Dictionary-if this is the case, avoid
deleting the Activity Codes in the “Global” Activity Codes Dictionary.
The “Project” Activity Codes can be converted into “Global” Activity Codes at any
time, as this Option is available in the Activity Codes Dictionary Dialogue Box;
however, “Global” Activity Codes cannot be converted to “Project” Activity Codes
in this simpler manner, as a result of which the above process has to be followed.
OR->

Quick Tip: How To Convert an EPS Activity

Code to a Project Activity Code in Oracle
Primavera P6
EPS Activity Codes are great when we want to have a set of Activity Codes available to certain projects
based on where they sit in your EPS structure.  An example might be having a set of Activity Codes for
each Department in your database.  Typically, EPS nodes would be set up for each Department, allowing
an organization to specific a set of EPS Activity Codes for each Department that are only available to their
projects.

Many organizations setup and use EPS Activity Codes as a means to establish standardized codes for
groups of projects.

But what happens if we want to move the project to another EPS node and need to preserve the coding?
 What if the EPS Activity Codes don’t exist at the project’s new EPS node?  Will we have to redo all of
that coding inside the project?  AND what happens if we need to export the project to another database?
 Will the coding come along?

Fortunately, there is a way to preserve the coding in both of these situations.  It is possible to convert
an EPS Activity Code to a Project-level Activity Code in Primavera P6 allowing you to preserve
your coding when moving or exporting a project.  Here’s how:

Step 1 – EPS Activity Code Setup

Assuming we’ve got an EPS Activity Code set up like so:
Step 2 – Open the Project
Open the Project that uses the EPS Activity Code.

Step 3 – Copy and Move

Copy the Project and paste it to an EPS node where the EPS Activity Codes do not exist.   You’ll see a
message like this one.

To preserve the EPS Coding, Primavera P6 will copy the EPS Activity Code to a Project Activity Code to
be stored inside the Project and the coding assignments will stay put.

If it makes sense, move the copied Project back the original EPS node.  You can chose to keep or delete
the original project – it’s up to you. And now you can also export the project with the coding intact.
• To make “Budget at Completion”=Budget, for Earned Value Calculations-Plus
Earned Value Calculations/EAC/Productivity Measurements-
Refer Hotmail memo also on this issue->Make Activity-“Physical % Complete”
and Activity Type->“Fixed Units and Durations” Activity->"Task Dependent".
All Activities can be changed to these parameters by Adding “Columns” for
Percentage Complete Type and Activity Type and then “Fill Down” the 2 required
parameters needed for All Activities. “Actuals/ Spent” Values can be assigned
Manually in P6 (If on Network) or in Excel Auto-Update File->“Enterprise”-
“Settings/Calculations” can be adjusted to reflect “Actuals” do not change (are
not “Updated”), when “Percent Complete” changes. With these Values-SPI-
EV/PV, CPI=EV/AV etc can be calculated/ETC will be given by-> Budget At
Completion Minus Earned. The Admin Preferences/Earned Value setting has
to be configured rightly to reflect this approach as given/queried below. The
Column Data as given in P6 can be manipulated to give similar results in Excel-
for the parameters designated-and may be more flexible for presentation cases.
COSTS can also be manipulated to give similar results-using the criteria and
methodology described above-in P6 and Excel, as for UNITS.
• Importing Cost IDs and Cost ID Names into P6 via P3 (Cost ID Import to the latter thru Excel)-
Easy Way->Export “Blank” Column for COST ID to Excel with Activity Numbers-
there is no Option to Export COST ID Names. Once in Excel/Lotus/DBIV-
Copy COST IDs from “Source” Excel File to corresponding “Column” (COST
ID) in Excel Export File-then give “False” Activity IDs to All Activities that have
COST IDs assigned to “Row”-just Copy/Paste/Fill Down (?) ACT ID using a “5”
Number “gap”
between each Activity. The COST IDs will now be populated along with ACT IDs
and will be automatically defined in P3 Cost Dictionary on Import-only by COST
ID, as there is no Option to Import COST ID Names. A similar approach cannot
be applied through P6, as COST IDs assigned to Activities are not recognized
unless the COST ID Dictionary has been defined and populated-there is also
no provision to Copy/Paste Dictionary from Excel (applies to P6 as well as P3).
Once the COCT ID Dictionary has been populated/established in P3->Import this
P3 File into P6 under the same EPS Node the “Parent” P6 File exists, to which
the COST ID Dictionary has to be assigned->On Opening the “Parent” P6 File,
the COST IDs will appear in “Global” Form/not “Project” in the Parent File and
COST IDs can now be assigned to Activities, either within P6-or Externally in
Excel with Export/Import-when the filled fields for COST ID are input in Excel,
corresponding to concerned ACT ID, the COST IDs are recognized on Import to
P6 as COST ID Dictionary has been established. COST ID Names can also be
assigned next to COST ID & ACT ID now in Excel (by Copy/Paste from “Source”
File) and will be probably be recognized, as the COST IDs & ACT IDs exist in P6
 and are correctly cross-referenced.
• Adding WBS Codes/Names and Assigning WBS to Activities-
Take a similar project in P6-with WBS Codes & WBS Names, as needed-Open
both the “Source” and “Host” P6 Projects at the same time-go to “Project/WBS”-
>in WBS “Layout”, Organize-Group & Sort by “Default” Option->and Copy/Paste
(press Shift-Select/Right-Click to copy “Entire” WBS Dictionary or a “Range” of
WBS’ & related WBS Names-or a single WBS, as needed->Copy from “Source”
and Paste into “Host”) the WBS Codes and Names from both “Opened” (in P6)
“Source” into “Host”/Current Project; both “Source” and “Host” P6 Projects will
be displayed/organized, grouped and sorted- by WBS Codes and corresponding
WBS Names-one below the other->In “Dialogue Box” when “Pasting”
from “Source” P6 Project to “Host” P6 Project->Select All Options,
including “Activities” if there is a need to copy “Activities” as well, or if Only the
WBS, with Other Options-such as WPs/Docs etc., need to be copied
from “Source” to “Host”, “Deselect”/Uncheck the “Activities” Option Only, and
Copy the rest of the Options/Data. If a similar project does not exist in P6->Use a
WBS from a P3 project, after Importing it into P6-and then Copy/Paste WBS, as
noted above, from Imported P3 (now P6) project into the “Host”/Current project in
P6. If a suitable WBS does not exist in the Blank “Source” P3 Project->Import a
suitable WBS Dictionary to the Blank “Source” P3 Project from a similar project
existing in P3 itself. After the “Host”/Current project in P6 has been populated
with the WBS Codes/Names in the WBS Dictionary, in the “Top”-Right-> Project/
Activities Table-add “Column” for WBS ID-and using the “Drop Down” feature in
the “cell”-assign/select WBS for the concerned Activity, as the WBS Code/
Names will have been defined in the WBS Dictionary and can be “selected” in
the Activity Table-for WBS-for any Activity->thereafter, the “Fill Down” feature
can be used to “Copy” WBS’ in the “Activity Table” Area, from Activity to Activity
or from a particular Activity to a “Group” of Activities, as desired, after Organizing/
Layout ”Group & Sort” Option-by “Activity Codes”/”Activity IDs” or any Other
appropriate parameters. NOTE->Hint->When a Project is “Open” In “Project/
WBS” mode->and there is a “Column” in Activity Table Area defined for
the “Project ID”->changing the “Project ID” Name which exists to another, in any
Activity “row”-say from Project ID “Sample” to Project ID “Sample1”-will change
the Project ID designation & therefore the “Entire” Project, into “Sample1”.

• Note on “Profile” Display in P6-

Choosing “Profile” Display-Bottom Details-for Resources or a Set of Activities-
will give Option for Histograms/Curves-with available Selection Parameters
being “Budget” and “ACTUALS” (not EARNED VALUE)/and Forecast. If any
Other sort of Display is needed-such as “Budget”/EAC, Earned Value, Actuals,
 Forecast etc.-choose “Reports” and obtain Standard Reports, or Export to Excel
via “CSV” Type Files-and manipulate data in Excel as needed-as described
in “Tab” above.
• “Concurrent” Users designation/figures can be altered in the P6 License File-
to conform to P6 “Admin Preferences” requirements/needs. Also P6 “Install
Procedure" is given in “Install Procedure”/License “Text” Write-up in P6 Folder/
Files.
• Note on “Filters” and Global Change using “User Defined” Fields instead of “&TMP”-
Filters do not exist in P6, like they do in P3-with selection for Level 1,2,3 etc.-
but in P6 you can select 2 or more Filters to choose different Options for
parameters that need to be selected-that is, the Layout which will be formulated
will select “multiple” Filters to give desired selections-thus providing the same
Options as available in P3-only One particular Filter for a certain Layout as in P3,
will be replaced by “Multiple” Filters for a certain Layout, for desired selections,
as represented in P6.
Instead of using a Temporary Variable-“&TMP” as in P3-since this Option is not
available in P6->Whilst using Global Change in P6 where a Temporary Variable
is required or needed->Create 2 or more “User Defined”/Custom Data Fields in
P6 to accomplish what Temporary Variable(s)-such as “&TMP” and “&TMP1”-in
P3 will do whilst executing a complex “Global Change”.
• Compatibility-> Different Versions of Primavera Enterprise-P5/P6.1/P6.2/P7-Changing Enterprise
Versions-for Access to Enterprise Files of a particular Version->
If you have P6-Version 6.1 and receive a P6-Version 6.2 “XER” File-you will not be able
to Open this File with Version 6.1-In this case, Right-Click on “XER” File and select
Command-“Open With-- ‘NOTEPAD’”-In the Text Fields in NOTEPAD, change Version (on
first Text Line)-from P6 Version “6.2” to “6.1” and “SAVE” this Notepad Text File-Now this
amended to Version “6.1” File can be Opened with the P6-Version 6.1 which exists on your
computer.
• Work Products & Documents-Creating/Assign to Activity or WBS/Link to External File-
Go To Project/Work Products & Documents and Create a WP & Doc-With Title/Status/
Reference # etc. Assign a Activity or WBS or Project to particular WP & Doc. Link to any
External File in Excel etc.-This is important, as you can Create a “Risk Management Plan
or Matrix” in Excel and then “Link” it to a particular Project via the “WP & Doc” feature-
this “Link” can be at a “Private” or “Public” Location-If “Public”->the Risk Management Matrix
and subsequent Updates can be “Viewed” by relevant Team Members right from the “WP &
Doc” feature in P6 by “Launching” the Location designated on “Project/WPs & Doc” Option.
At the “Activity” Level->On the “Project/Activities” Bottom Layout Option, the Fields can be
Customized to include “WPs & Docs” and Activities “Assigned” a particular “WP & Doc”-
>which has been defined in the “Project/WPs & Docs” Option->The Description on the
particular WP & Doc can be in Text Form or as a “Link” as described above->specifying
Problems/References/Notes->which can be Displayed in Activity Tables, Printed or Exported
etc.
• Risk/Thresholds/Issues Explanation and how they can be utilized on Projects->
 Project/Risks Option allows for Creating a Risk Item with info such as Status/Priority/
Description etc. and can be assigned to a WBS or Resource Only->and provides Option to
write (In Text) a “Risk Control Plan”-based on Options which can be exercised for “Impact
Date” and “Exposure” (the latter being calculated based on Resource or WBS Current Value/
Impact Value and Probability of Impact). The Number of Activities affected depends on the
WBS and/or Resource Selected.
Project/Issues Option allows one to Create an “Issue” related with “Thresholds” (the latter
being Described in Project/Thresholds Option)->by Status/Priority/Resolution Date.
The Issue is related with a WBS and an Activity ID, with the “Threshold” Parameter,
Lower and Upper and Actual Value defined-Text Description can also be assigned to
the ‘Issue”. To be Noted->The “Issue” can be “Tied” or “Related” with a “Threshold” where
the “Threshold” is defined using the Project/Threshold Option- where Thresholds can be
automatically “selected” and assigned Low/High Values, a WBS with Activities affected,
Tracking Layout, Status and Issue Priority. The “Threshold/Details” window allows one to
Monitor the “Time Period” Window-From/To Dates-where the Parameter defined is within
Specified Values-with the data about the related “Issue” being displayed, such as “Status/
Priority/Resolution Date”. The already formulated “Tracking Layout” can be selected, either
in the “Project/Issues” or the “Project/Threshold” Options to monitor the effects of the related
Threshold or Issue designated.
• “Publish” Websites/Activity Layouts/Tracking Layouts->
Publish Activity and Tracking Layouts is straightforward->Tools/Publish Activity or Tracking
Layouts as HTML Documents and Save them Locally or on Public/Company designated
Folders or Servers. Tools/Publish Websites->can Publish on the Web on designated/created
Website for this purpose-Website Name, such as [Link] ahs to be provided in
addition to “Publish Directory” which has to created as well and should be “empty”, with no
data therein-such as “C:\Test” for example, to accommodate Files created on publishing.
In this case, the data will be displayed on the Web under “[Link] /[Link]
Test/[Link]” and will also show on Local Drive (or Public Drive, if so selected 
and designated) under “C:\Test”. “Tools/Publish” to Website will also work when No 
Website Address is indicated for Options chosen under “Tools/Publish/Website”  and 
only the “Publish/Directory” Option is indicated-in which case All Files Created will be 
Saved under “C:\Test”. The “Tools/Publish/(Project) Website” Option works very well 
for “Graphics” and “Reports” Options where Layouts and Reports can be published on 
the Web and Local/Public Drives, but the Option for publishing “Topics” (which is an
Option) does not work-especially on “Web Publishing”, where Project Data such as
Listing for Project Activities, Resources and Codes etc. is required to be published
on the Web or Local/Public Drives (Question->For P6 Technical Support).
• “Notebook” Option-Project/Activities/Bottom Layout Selections->
Firstly, Define “Notebook” Topics in “Admin/Admin Categories”-Then, Select to
Display “Notebook” in the Project/Activities/Bottom Layout Option-by choosing
the “Customize Activity Details” Option->Then Select a “Notebook Topic” (already defined
in the “Admin/Admin Categories” Option) for a particular Activity and Pen Down particular
Details in the “Objectives” Pane. These details can refer to any concern-Delays on
Manufacturing/Delivery, Drawings and their Impact on Project Progress-This “Notebook”
Text Entry Option allows to display these “Notes” in the Gantt/Bar Chart Area corresponding
with the affected Activity, by choosing “Bars/Label”->and then Selecting “Notebook”-the
 Field thus being configured to be displayed next to the Activity Bar in the Gantt Chart Area
of Layout. This convenience of being able to Display “Notebook” Texts for elaborating on
Project Concerns for Activities Selected also helps by minimizing the use of “User Defined
Fields” and “Text Boxes” (the latter-“View/Attachment/Text” Option)-as relevant data can be
displayed as “Notebook” Texts next to the Bars in the Gantt Chart Area.
• Export of Gantt/Bar Chart from P6 to Excel, so that “Bars” show in Excel->
May or May not Work-> Save Layout, Activity Table & Bar Chart as a “PDF” File->Newer
Versions of Adobe Acrobat Professional have capabilities of Exporting PDF Files/Layouts
directly to Excel->Try This, On Export from Adobe Acrobat Professional to Excel->the Activity
Table “Columns” area will certainly come through, and probably the “Time Spread Bars” in
Bar Chart, corresponding with Start/Finish Dates for Activities in the Activity Table area.

• P6-Saving and Printing Data/Layouts in Different Formats->

File/Print Feature-Allows you to Print/Save to “Local or Server Printers”/”Microsoft-
XPS Document Writer” where you can View and Print Files, by Opening the Layout
in “XPS Document Viewer”, a Microsoft Product which is Loaded and Available on all
Computers/”PDF Printers”-such as Adobe Acrobat Professional or PDF Creator/Architect-
And/”Send to One Note” Printer Option.
“Print/Preview” Feature-Allows you directly to “Publish” the Data/Layout as a HTML
Document. The Print/Preview and “Save As” Feature-allows you to Save Layout As/
In “JPG”/”BMP”/”EMF”/”PNG” Formats or Print Layouts as described above.
• “Global”/”All Resources” and “Project”/”Current Project Resources” & their Assignments->
First Access Enterprise/Resources->Then First “Create” a Resource Dictionary at
the “Global” or “EPS” Level-the “EPS” Level being for a Particular “Client” or a Group of
Projects. Then “Import” Clients’ Projects if need be->Resources assigned to these Imported
Projects will be Imported at the “Global” Level. If not, Access Enterprise/Resources-> and
Filter/Select Resources at “Current Project Resources”-and Copy/Paste All Resources
from “Current Project Resources” to “Global” or “EPS” Level, if Project Resources do not
exist at the Global/EPS Level already on Import. “Organize” Resources in the Enterprise/
Global Resource Dictionary by “EPS/Particular Client” or at the “Project” Level-whichever
Option is most “usable” and appropriate. NOTE->A Resource will exist at “Global” Level
Only if so entered/Added, if “Activities” in Project concerned, have not been “Assigned”
Resources (which exist at the “Global” Level Only till the present) within the “Project” itself-
>The Resources can be assigned at the “Project/Current Project Resources” Level by
going to Activities concerned within the Project, and then Filtering by “All Resources” and
then selecting the Resources from the “Global” Resource Dictionary and Assigning it to the
Project’s Activities-At this point, the “Resources” that have been assigned to the Project’s
Activities will start existing at the “Global” as well as the “Project/Current Project Resources”
Level.

• For Auto/Monthly-Updates via Excel and then “Import” to P6-

1---“Expected Finish” Dates Updated in Excel not coming through as Import-All
Fields in Excel coming through in Import, except for those in Column Headers
 designated as (*)-including “Expected Finish”-Need to find reason why. 2---Also,
need to know why “Project/Admin Preferences/ Earned Value” settings conflict
with “Enterprise/Settings/Actuals” Calculation, as the former is what is desired, not
the latter. 3---In addition, need to find a method to directly “Import” Cost Account
IDs and corresponding Cost ID Names (which may exist in a Worksheet in Excel)
directly into the P6 Cost Dictionary.
(THE ABOVE POINTS-IN GREEN->ALL EXPLAINED IN NOTES ABOVE/
BELOW)

• P6-Rel. 8.2/Add-Ons->”Team Member” Updates, Progress Reporter, Difference->P6 Professional/P6 EPPM/P6 Web

1. The "Team Member" Application-where Project/Activity

Statusing can be done remotely-Do the "Team Member"
Updates work with all 3 types of configurations-
P6 Professional, EPPM and P6 Web? Can the App.
be linked to any of these 3 configuration types?
The team member module will only update the schedule in an EPPM environment. If a scheduler using PPM needs a
status update, he will need to call or email the field.
2. Is the P6 Web configuration a "Stand-Alone" Planning/Scheduling
and Project Controls tool/application-or does it "linked" to
P6 Professional or P6 EPPM-that is can P6 Web function
as a tool all by itself?
P6 Web (EPPM) is installed on a central server and is not standalone. In version 8.2 PPM (standalone) can be
configured to work within an (EPPM) environment. 8.2 only though. P6 EPPM cannot be installed on a desktop. It
needs to be installed on an application (web) server
3. Why have Progress Reporter/Timesheets as a separate
"Add-On" to P6 Professional? Why can it not be combined
with the "Team Member" Application Add-On->to provide
Timesheet "Actuals/Spent" Values (which Progress Reporter/
Timesheets is configured to do) as well, as the "Team Member"
Add-On is already designed/functioning to provide 
remote/independent "Status" on Activities?
I am not sure why Oracle decided to license it that way. Probably some of their larger customers where wanting two
different types of functionality to provide project updates.
[Link] the Team Member module not update
schedule-even if P6 Professional is Installed on a
Server or Network? (Can P6 Professional NOT
be Installed on a Network/Server?-I believe
you may have answered this below-stating
that ONLY Version 8.2 of P6 Professional
can be configured to work within an EPPM Environment-
but does P6 Professional have to be "physically" Installed
on a Network/Server or just locally on the "Desktop" computer
or Laptop to enable obtaining Updates via the Team Member module?).
Also, is the P6 Web configuration
a "stand-alone" configuration for "entire" Planning/
Scheduling functions and has "full" capabilities
such as the "P6 Professional" and "P6 EPPM"
configurations or does it have "limited" capabilities
and works ONLY in tandem with the "P6 Professional"
 or "P6 EPPM" configurations?
P6 Professional cannot be installed on a server due to the Oracle licensing agreement. P6 Pro is standalone
application meant to be installed on a laptop or pc. P6 Pro version 8.2 can be configured on a laptop so that it
can collaborate with an EPPM database located on a central server, but previous versions cannot. You cannot use
any team member applications to send updates to P6 Pro, only P6 EPPM (which is web server based). You can do
everything using the web (EPPM) that you can on the client/desktop (PPM). A company can run all web licenses if
they want.
• P6 ETC/EAC Settings –> TO SET BAC=BUDGETED UNITS OR COST->
How do I set (Budget) "At Completion" Units (or Cost)
to Equal=Budgeted Units (or Cost)->the "At Completion"
Values change when Activity % Complete changes->
and I want it to remain Constant at=Budgeted Units (or Cost).
Global Change does not work, as the Primary Parameter-
"At Completion" is not available in Options on the Left Hand Side
of Global Change Dialogue Box.

It is a project level setting see below->

You will have to change the duration type to Fixed duration and units,
Percent complete to physical , and task dependent......this will solve
that for new activities that you add

For existing activities you can add the columns and then start at
the top and do a fill down, or you can change individual activities
by the general Tab on the detail screen on the bottom of the chart
view.....SEE BELOW->
 OR->
Probably utilize the macro-embedded .xls sheet that utilizes the Primavera SDK kit. You can then set the values equal
to whatever you want. Especially if you need to back into a set value it is easily accomplished in this manner. Don’t
forget to copy/paste values for any column that you calculate with Excel formulae->This can also be done with Export
to Excel/Set Values as needed/Import back into P6.

• PRIMAVERA RISK MANAGER (PERTMASTER)->

Risk Levels are set Using Both-> “Uncertainties”-Minimum (Durations etc.)/Most Likely/Maximum
(Durations etc.)-Based on Original Durations etc. for Parameters as given below and “Risk
Events” in the Risk Register in P6->
“Confidence Levels” can be set in P6->For Example->Create “User Defined Fields” for “Duration”-
Minimum/Most Likely/Maximum-After selecting these Values as “Columns”-Assign Limit Values
to Minimum/ML/Maximum Fields based on Existing Durations ("User Defined Fields" are thus
reflected in Risk Manager and can be brought over into P6 after "What-Ifs" Scenarios in Risk
Manager, as they have been Defined already in P6). Then Create Risk “Events” in P6 Risk
Register, Linking these Events to Activities, WBS, Groups of Activities if needed.
Import the Project Concerned into Primavera Risk Manager-This can be done directly from
P6>"Tools/Risk Analysis Manager" or by going into Risk Manager and “Importing” the Project
from P6.
Once Project is Imported from P6 into Risk Manager-Adjust "Settings" in Risk Manager-
>in General/Tasks/User Defined Fields "Tabs" as needed/ “Confidence Levels” can also be
set for Durations/ Dates/Resources/Costs/Float/ IRR-NPV in Risk Manager-For Example
using “Duration” as the Parameter and Setting “Confidence Levels” in Terms of Percentages-
 i.e. 10% Lower, 20% Higher (Highest/Lowest) than Existing Durations etc. to selected Activities
("Risk/Template" Option can be used for this purpose). In Risk Manager->The Risk “Events” also
having been Imported->Select in Risk Register-> (from RHS) the WBS, Activities etc. that the
particular Risk “Events” affect-and then "File/Save Register".
Now the Minimum/ML/Maximum “Uncertainties” and Risk “Events” have been defined in Risk
Manager and the Risk Calculations can be “Run” in Risk Manager (Note->Prior to “Running” the
Risk Manager on the Project->In the Risk Manager “Run” Dialogue Box or elsewhere in Risk
Manager–Choose the User Defined “Minimum/ML/Maximum” Fields and the Risk “Events” that
have been Imported into Risk Manager).
There are 3 Main Outputs on Running the Risk Manager->One Distribution "Graph/Chart" (LHS)
-Showing the Minimum/ML/Maximum and “Optimum” Completion Times/Dates (say 72% Likely
to complete on Optimum Date-as denoted in the Table on the RHS of the Chart/Graph) based on
the “Duration” Uncertainties and defined Risk “Events”; One Distribution "Graph/Chart" Showing
the Minimum/ML/Maximum and “Optimum” Costs (ROI-Return On Investment) ) at which the
Project will complete (say 60% Likely to complete at Optimum Costs-as denoted in the Table on
the RHS of the Chart/Graph) based on the “Duration” Uncertainties and defined Risk “Events”-
Results will also affect “Costs” based on 3 Point (Minimum/ML/Maximum) computations
of Schedule Duration-> Three Point ”Costs” Estimates can also be used as a “Parameter”
– Minimum/ML/Maximum-in Addition to the same for Durations or can be a “Stand-Alone”
Parameter; Tornado Chart based on the “Duration” Uncertainties and defined Risk “Events”-
which show All Critical Activities causing the “Result” obtained for Dates/Costs etc.- based on
the “Duration” Uncertainties and defined Risk “Events”-the “most” Critical of which are denoted in
higher %s (out of a Total of 100%) on the “Top” of the Tornado Chart and need to be Monitored
and/or Altered Logically, Reduced in Duration or Resource Allocations Adjusted-which are
Mitigation Actions to recover or "Optimize" Schedule. The Reports can then be Saved (File/Save
Report)-to exist in Risk Manager with other Scenarios, as needed.
The "Summary Risk Report" can also be selected from the Menu-and then "Build Report" ->to
Display Results on Parameters selected in the "Build Report" Option.
Cumulative "Comparisons" between Baseline and Current Schedules can also be configured in
Risk Manager. Also, if needed, Different "Calendars" can be selected/designated in Risk Manager
for different Risk Analysis "Scenarios".
Based on the “Run” and subsequent “Results”->Projects can be Categorized and “Selected” from
a Portfolio of Projects-in Terms of Higher Confidence Levels, Critical Date Completions/Tornado
Chart Results and Associated Costs etc.-to be “Implemented” or “Rejected”/”Deferred” etc.
The Changes –to “Durations”/”Costs” etc.-which have caused certain “Results” to be indicated
in Risk Manager-can be “Imported” back into P6, if the indicated Results in Risk Manager
are demonstrative of the “direction” in which the Project(s) are to be geared towards in their
Implementation & Execution-so as to provide “Optimum” Completion Time Frames and ROI.

• YET “OUTSTANDING” ISSUES/QUESTIONS ON P6->

Difference between 2 Options for ETC Calculations-

as marked below-Option 1 & Option 2->

Option 1-As described above->The process works for "Estimate at Complete"

-the Value holds-but the ETC holds too-I want (Calculation 1)-the ETC to
be=Estimate at Complete - Earned Value (Productivity Factor=1)-
which I have marked on Admin->"Admin Preferences/Earned Value"
(this very Option for EV Setting, also exists in “Project/WBS/Earned Value”-
 What is the difference between this & ‘Admin->"Admin Preferences/Earned Value"’
setting above) Option-(ETC=PF x [Budget at Completion - Earned Value])
but it does not do so. Option 2-Also, in the same Option Dialogue
Box-What does (Calculation 2)-"ETC=Remaining Cost for Activity" Imply-
as it relates to Units and not Costs (P6 Help on this states-
ETC will equal=Remaining Duration x Applicable Resource Rates-
so as applied to Units will it be ETC=RD x Remaining Units?)-
And what is the difference between these 2 ETC Calculation Options?

A. There are settings to measure Earned and Actuals separately

as given below-however you need to disassociate the two
as the settings on "Enterprise" Level-apparently clash with one another->
1. "Enterprise/Projects/Calculations/Resource Assignments"-
   I have set "Subtract Actual from at Completion"
   and Unchecked "Recalculate Actual Units & Costs when Duration % changes"-
   this means I can enter Actuals/Spent manually, and ETC="At Completion" Minus Actuals.
2. In "Admin/Admin Preferences/Earned Value/Technique for Computing Earned Value"-
    I have chosen ETC=PF x (Budget at Completion Minus Earned Value), with PF=1.

I want to enter "Actuals" Manually as in 1. above and calculate ETC with Earned Value
as in 2. above-however with setting as in 1. ->ETC is calculated as "At Completion" Minus
"Actuals" instead of setting as in 2. ETC=Budget (or "At Completion") Minus Earned Value-
the latter setting being the one I want.

B. Also, I am attaching an Excel Spreadsheet with Cost IDs and Cost Names Exported from P6-
on Import-only "Columns" without an (*) are Imported and not the ones with the (*) in
Column Headings-how do I adjust to have data in all columns Imported?

Excel Spreadsheet-for
P6 Update Import-Asterisk Marked [Link]

C. Also, if Cost ID Fields are not "defined' in P6, if I enter Cost IDs/Names in Excel next to Activity
IDs-they will not come through on the Import from Excel to P6-so what does "setting
up Fields" in P6 indicate-does that mean establishing the Cost IDs/Names in the
Cost Dictionary-Exporting to Excel and then Importing from Excel to P6 after
assigning Cost IDs/Names to Activities in Export File?
(OUTSTANDING ISSUES NOTED ABOVE->ALL EXPLAINED IN NOTES ABOVE AND BELOW)

• Solution to Above-ETC/EAC/EARNED VALUE & PRODUCTIVITY MEASUREMENT->

1. Earned Value Measurement-

Planned Value-Obtained from Target/Baseline=Budget At Completion x Schedule %
Complete. The Planned Value is Automatically calculated in Current Project as the
Data Date is moved periodically. Schedule % Complete->Baseline Duration Complete
as of Data Date.
Total Actual Cost=Actual Cost of Labor/Non-Labor/Material/Expenses.
Earned Value=Value of Work Done=Budget At Completion x Performance %
Complete (Denoted Manually)-Performance % Complete can be Activity/Physical %
Complete, Duration % Complete or Units % Complete and is % of Activity Planned
Value "Earned".
Budget At Completion=Baseline Budget of Labor/Non-Labor/Material/Expenses.
SAMPLE->Resources Tab->8 MHrs/Day x 10 Days-80 Budgeted Units x $100/
Hour=$8000 (Budget At Completion).
PROGRESS-PRODUCTIVITY DISPLAY-> Top Layout-> Table->
Act ID/Name/PV/Actual Value/EV/BAC/Schedule %/Perf %/Start-Finish/BL1 Start-Finish
DISPLAY->Bottom Layout->Resources "Tab"->
Rem. Units/Time-Budgeted Units/Actual Units/Remaining Units/Price Per Unit/Actual Cost
FOR STATUSING SCHEDULE->
Execute Status->Start/Finish Date, Physical % Complete, Remaining Duration/Expected
Finish-then->
Tools/Schedule/Data Date Change-then "Schedule".

2. Performance % Complete-
In Enterprise/Projects View-> Go to ROOT/PROJECT "WBS"->"Earned Value" Tab->
A. Activity % Complete=Physical % Complete-If this Option selected=Performance %
Complete.
B. WBS Milestones->WBS Weighted Milestone Elements->
Highlight "WBS" to be selected and thus Activities pertaining to particular WBS.
Go to WBS "Tab"-Designate Elements with Weightages (Total=100%)-Bid/RFQ etc.
On Periodic Schedule Updates->Hit "Complete" for Each Element/Weight-
>Performance % Complete will be changed based on "Element" Completed for Activities
under the particular WBS and Earned Value wll be Updated based on Performance %
Complete.
NOTE->Physical % Complete as Checked on Activity Status does not Change, but
Performance % Complete is calculated as indicated here based on "Method" selected in
WBS/Earned Value "Tab" (Only "Overlap"/Similarity is as mentioned in "A" Option).
When "Radio Button" is changed back to "Activity % Complete"->the Performance %
Complete-designated in "Table" View-> goes back to Activity % Complete and EV is
calculated back to how it was originally->when Activity % Complete was designated for
Performance % Complete.
C. 0/100 Complete->0% Complete on Actual Start/100% Complete on Actual Finish.
D. 50/100 Complete->50% Complete on Actual Start/100% Complete on Actual Finish.

3. CPI and SPI->

TOP LAYOUT->"TABLE" VIEW->
EV/PV/AV/Schedule %/Performance %/CPI/SPI/BAC/EAC->where SPI=EV/PV;CPI=EV/AV
To Gauge "Health" of Project->COMPARE->Schedule %/Performance %
BOTTOM LAYOUT VIEW->
General/Status/Resources/Relationships/Steps->
From Above-"Resources" Tab->
Act ID/Name/Rem. Units-Time/Budgeted Units/Actual Units/Rem. Units/Price-Unit/Actual Cost.

4. Calculation of ETC/EAC and Comparison of EAC/BAC->

REFER ATTACHED [Link] FILE->"Project" Important EV Layout-Activity
ID "P11HN-320" in particular for Details as regards calculations below->

Assure that Calculations for ETC are changed in all following Locations-the ROOT Change being
in WBS/Earned Value "Tab"-RHS Display->
-Admin Preferences/EV
-ROOT Change->WBS-For Particular "Project", "Root" WBS->EV "Tab"

TOP LAYOUT "TABLE" VIEW->

Act ID/Name/EV-Labor Units/AC-Labor Units/PV-Labor Units/PV-Non Labor Units/Budget-Non
Labor Units/Cost-Non Labor Units/Actual Units-Non Labor/Actual Cost-Non Labor/Schedule %/
Perf %/CPI/SPI/BAC/ETC/EAC/VARIANCE AT COMPLETION (EAC-BAC)
NOTE->There is no EV-Earned Value for Non Labor and Material, Only Budget and Actual
Values->that is, Columns will exist in TABLE View for Budgeted Units and Cost & Actual
Units and Cost.-This configuration, as can be seen, will apply for CONSTRUCTION, where
there will be Manhours (Labor) and Quantities (Non Labor). When the Schedule is Updated,
Cumulative "Actual" Units/Quantity Progress will be Input for Construction Activities->The
Percentage % Complete based on Quantities Installed->Actual Units/Budgeted Units->will be
 Input as the "Physical" % Complete on the particular Activities, as a result of which EV/ETC/
EAC etc. will be calculated for the Labor/Manhours Portion of the Activities. A "User-Defined"
Field can be created for the Actual Quantity % Complete-which will be Actual Units/Budgeted
Units, if so desired, so that Physical % Complete can be Input for Activities concerned for
Labor Calculations. There will be No "Individual" EV/ETC/EAC Calculations for Non Labor as
mentioned hitherto.

Go To WBS (Project "Root")-EV Tab->RHS Display->Currently Set at ETC=Remaining Cost for

Activity->Reflected in Activity View/"Resources" Tab as->
ETC based on Rem. Cost for Activity->say, 64 Rem. Units or Mhrs x Price/Unit ($100/Hr)=
$6400 (ETC "Cost").

NOTE 1->Do Not Input "Duration At Completion" as = Original Duration (in Settings where
this Option is given), as "Remaining Duration" or "Expected Finish" are Input during Status
Updates, which gives results as above for ETC etc. and means that Remaining Duration and
Physical % Complete are "Unlinked"-which is the manner in which Status Updates should be
configured.

NOTE 2->All Fields such as " Budget At Completion", "Estimate To Complete", "Estimate
At Completion" as denoted correctly in TABLE View are different from Fields such as "At
Completion Budget", "At Completion Estimate to Complete" etc. which are based on "Work
To Go" with Remaining Duration as the Criteria, as shown in NOTE 1 above. "Work To Go"
based on Remaining Duration and Quantities can be shown if needed, in the "Resource" Tab-
Bottom Layout View-for a Comparison with Fields/Data as shown in the TABLE View. The
Correct Representation of EV/ETC/EAC etc. however is in the Top Layout TABLE View, Bottom
Layout "Resource" View is Only for Viewing-and can be Used if the Method of EV/Forecast
Measurement requires Data based on Manually Stipulated Remaining Duration & Quantities
during Status Updates.

EAC (Cost) is calculated as=ETC (Cost) + Actual Cost->Same for "Units"->Compare EAC
to BAC as indicated in TABLE "VIEW" as above. NOTE->If the Option for displaying "EAC
(Units)" is not available in "Columns" Display and it is necessary to show "EAC (Units)" etc.
for Displays regarding/using "Units" instead of "Cost" Values, the "Rate" ($/Per Hour) for the
Resource(s) can be made=$0 (Zero)/Per Hour, in which case the "Units" (Manhours) x Rate
(which is "zero")=EAC (Cost), which is in reality EAC (Units)-the Description of the "Column"
Header can be changed from "EAC (Cost)" to "EAC (Units)"-as can all Column Headers where
and if needed->from "Cost" to "Units".

WBS (Project "Root")-EV Tab->RHS Display->Can be Changed to any of the following 3

Options from Default Setting-> "ETC based on Rem. Cost for Activity"->And ETC will change
accordingly->

Base Formula->ETC=PF (Productivity Factor) x (BAC-EV)->

Where PF=1
PF=1/CPI->Recalculated ETC in this case will denote "Minimum" Reqd. Total Costs or Units->
Most "Optimistic" Scenario.
PF=1/(CPI x SPI)->Recalculated ETC in this case will denote "Maximum" Reqd. Total Costs or
Units->Most "Pessimistic" Scenario, as CPI and SPI are being considered in Formula.

• NOTE ON UTILIZATION OF PRIMAVERA P6 FOR PLANNING/

SCHEDULING -WHAT IT SHOULD BE USED FOR AND WHAT IT SHOULD
NOT/INTERFACES WITH ESTIMATING SYSTEMS AND COST CONTROL-

-Interfaces of P6 with Estimating Systems such as "Hard Dollar"-

"Hard Dollar" can be Loaded with Activities Imported from P6 or from the
Contract BOQ. Once Refined with Resources/Quantities-Rates can be applied
to Manhours depending for obtaining Project Dollars and the Integrity of the
Contract verified within Estimating "Confidence Levels" (how much
Confidence "Rates" applied have and their Impact on Contract Value/Cost).
Most of this information is readily available in the BOQ (or in Historical
Company Schedule & Estimating Databases) and can be fine-tuned once in
Hard Dollar-most information may not be available when Importing from P6
to Hard Dollar and thus relevant data such as Resources/Quantities/ Rates
may need to be added when Imported into Hard Dollar, as needed.
The "Integrity" of Main Contract-Client/Company and Subcontracts-Company/
Subcontractors can be verified following above procedure. Since Hard Dollar
is an expensive program, the same methodology can be used when using
Excel, after Copying data into Excel from the BOQ or Export from P6 to
Excel. In very many cases the BOQ may be more detailed than the data in
P6 (and if the P6 Schedule is not Loaded with Resources/Quantities/Rtaes) -
therefore the detailed data from the BOQ would be preferred when preparing
Detailed Estimates to conform to required Confidence Levels. Hard Dollar has
the capability to perform EV Analyses-EV/ETC/EAC etc. and this relevant
data can be Reimported and Exported from P6 to Hard Dollar and vice-versa
after each scheduled Periodic Update. However, the same EV Analyses can
be performed in Excel after Export of date from P6 to Excel on each Update
(or in P6 Itself if so desired). Therefore, either Hard Dollar or Excel can be
used to determine Estimate Integrity at the Initial or Execution Stages (the
latter if Scope has been Added)-using data from the BOQ or P6 as described
above and EV Analyses can be Conducted and Reported on each Update-in
Hard Dollar, Excel or P6 Itself as desired and depending on Hard Dollar
existing in the suite of the Company's Programs. If Client/Company BOQ
or "As-Sold" Contract does not provide sufficient information-Use
Engineering Dept. for Engineering Scope/Manhours, Procurement/Purchasing
Dept. for Procurement Manhours, Client/Company "Contract" or Procurement
Dept. OR Vendor information for Manufacturing Dollars for all Procured
Items, BOQ or Construction Dept. or Subcontractor Data for Construction
Quantities and Manhours, Commissioning Dept. for Commissioning
Manhours. Also, for Conceptual Estimating use "Conceptual" Estimating
Worksheet which is available on ED.

-Core/Primary Utilizations of P6 Planning/Scheduling and Cost Control Capabilities-

1. Primavera P6 or Other Versions-should be mainly used when "Planning"/

Forecasting-Quantities (for Construction and Manhours), Dollars (for
Manufacturing) and Manhours (for Other Phases of the Project), with our
without Disciplines for Manhours Forecast-such as Designers, Welders etc. so
that shortfalls and over-allocation of Disciplines can be measured at any
given stage of project (including Re-Forecasting)- by establishing
Resource "Availabilities" in Resource Dictionary and formulating Planned/
Forecast Resource/Quantity Curves-derived from either the Baseline/ Target
or Current Schedules (Resource Disciplines and Crafts-such as Designers,
Welders etc. need not be Loaded into Schedules to define "exact" shortfalls
in Manpower, but knowing the "Total Manhours" Forecast by Resource at any
stage/update, an assessment can be made on "Ratios" for Disciplines needed/
Forecast->such as if 100 Manhours for Large Bore Piping for any set of
Activities comprising the Installation of Large Bore Piping, it may
contain "Ratios" for Welders/Helpers and-or Pipefitters/Pipefitter Helpers in
the Ratio of 1:2-so Activity will be for 50 Manhours->Welders/Helpers,
Ratio=17:34 and the same Ratio applied for Pipefitters/Helpers for 50
Manhours Total) . The Resources/Quantities should be Loaded into the
Baseline Schedule, as per above which is thus-> Besides using data from
Historical Schedules, Use Engineering Dept. for Engineering Scope/
Manhours, Procurement/Purchasing Dept. for Procurement Manhours, Client/
Company "Contract" or Procurement Dept. OR Vendor information for
Manufacturing Dollars for all Procured Items, BOQ or Construction Dept. or
Subcontractor Data for Construction Quantities and Manhours,
Commissioning Dept. for Commissioning Manhours. The Planned Values
derived thus for the EPCC Project, by Phase or any Other detail (and by
Entire Project)-will be used either Internally within P6 Itself when
formulating EV Calculations-EV/ETC/EAC etc. on each Update or can be used
to build "Planned"/Time Scaled Data for use in Other Company Programs,
such as PRISM-which are used for EV Measurements-where Percent
Complete, Budgeted Values, Actual/Spent Values are available in their
database on each Update for making EV/Productivity/ETC/EAC
measurements-Since they are incapable of producing "Time Scaled" Planned
Values against which EV/Productivity measurements can be formulated-the
need for obtaining the same from P6 is required.
2. Primavera P6 or Other, should also be used for "Sequencing" of Tasks
and "Criticality" (Critical and Sub Critical Path formulations) compilations-
which is the main reason Planning/Scheduling Programs are used-as No
Database or Spreadsheet Program can accomplish these functions, unless
Tasks are "Scheduled" manually-and this is the primary purpose of Planning/
Scheduling Software.
3. Primavera Schedules-P6 or Other, when Resource Loaded, can also be
used very effectively-for EV/ETC/EAC/SPI/CPI etc. formulations on each
Update as can data Exported from P6 to Excel, as described in Detail above-
and this does not take away from its main functions, but are a very forceful
extension of its capabilities. To be Noted->"EV/Trending" Formulations can
be based on "Units" or "Costs" (the latter when Dollar "Rates" are utilized for
respective Resources or "Units")-or Both-either in P6 Itself or when P6 data
is Exported to Excel and rearranged.

-Invoice Payments->How they should be accomplished and their Relation with P6->

The BOQs-either Client/Company or Company/Subcontractors-should be

used for Payment Purposes, as the specific Task(s)-either partially or fully
completed (measured by Percent Complete) with their respective allocated
Dollar Amounts-are represented on the BOQs-which can be verified by
concerned Company or Client Personnel. "Earned Value" (Manhours) are
not a good measure for Payment Purposes-as their use can vary vastly
from region to region. Payment can be measured using the BOQ Tasks as
mentioned or as "Events"/Tasks which are necessarily noted in the BOQs
or Otherwise (such as in Contract Documents) with corresponding Dollar
Amount. If noted as Events-the Payments/Invoices can also be cross-
checked with/between the same Activities/Tasks or "Events" in the P6
Schedule-for "Completion" Status -applying appropriate Contractual and
Accepted "Rules of Credit" (for "Partial" or "Total" Completion Status) - and
the Corresponding "Earned"/Progress Dollar Amounts for Activities/Tasks
as represented in Contract Payment Schedule/BOQs or Other Contract
Documents-and the Payment/Invoice Amount thus verified and sanctioned.
Also, as regards "Earned Value"/Percent Complete->If the "Event" or
Activities/Tasks Indicated "Percent Complete", and thus Invoice Payment
for the Project (or any portions thereof) as measured using BOQs as noted
above-shows a certain Value(s)-this Value can be compared to the "Earned
Value"/"Percent Complete" (based on Manhours or Other Resource or Cost)
contained within the Resource Loaded P6 Schedule-which provides a basis for
a "sanity" check of "Earned Value" or Progress/Payments derived from these
2 sources-as Values obtained from these 2 separate sources should not be
widely divergent.

-Note on P6->Development & Integration of Main/Master Schedules

and Subcontract Schedules->

Even though the Subcontract Level 4 EPCC Schedules may be Developed and
Updated by the Subcontractors (by Methods outlined as below), the
Subcontractors are obligated to Update the Master level 3 EPCC Schedules
for activities they are responsible for-notably the "Construction"
and "Commissioning" portions of the Master Level 3 EPCC Schedule as these
portions are "Site" oriented and Company or Subcontractor Site Project
Controls Team are most aware of Site Construction and Commissioning
Scope and Activities-the HQs Project Controls Personnel will be responsible
for Developing the Master Level 3 EPCC Schedule, and Updating the
Engineering/Procurement/Manufacturing "portions" of the Master Level 3
EPMCC Schedule at designated Intervals. The Company or Subcontractor
Project Controls Personnel are also responsible for Updating the EPCC Level
4 Schedules, which are developed as noted below. The Subcontractor
Updated Level 4 EPCC Schedules-will be analyzed by Company Lead Project
Controls Representative at each Update, prior to Import into Master
Schedule, for adherence to Contractual (Company/Subcontractor and
Company/Client) Key Milestone Dates-irrespective of whether the Level 4
EPCC Schedules have been developed from the Level 3 EPCC Schedule
using "Steps" (function available in P6), "Hammocks" or Job Lists-and for
Earned Value Analysis, including measurements of Level 4 Schedules for EV/
ETC/EAC etc. Earned Value (EV/ETC/EAC etc.) and Other Analyses-
Integrated Critical Path Analysis etc.-on Updated Integrated Engineering,
Procurement, Manufacturing and "Imported" Subcontractor
Updated "portions" of Master Level 3 EPCC Schedule (supplied Initially to
Subcontractors as either "Entire" EPCC Level 3 Schedules or Extracted from
Master Schedule as "Subprojects" by Subcontractor) will also be conducted
on a Periodic Basis, using an "Integrated" Level 3 EPMCC approach. The
Resource Loading/Quantities etc. should be denoted in the Master Level 3
EPMCC Schedule as per Company/Client BOQ and Other Company/Client
Contractual Documentation-and should remain as such on each Periodic
Update "Integration" with the Subcontractor Updated Level 3 Activities by
various Methods described below (and also may include Subcontract for the
A/E or the Engineering "portion" of the Works).
The Resource Loading ( and perhaps the "Quantities") and the
scheduled "Time-Frame" of Individual Activities on subsequent Updates on
Subcontractor Level 4 EPCC Activities -as denoted by Subcontractors-may
differ (it will be as defined in Company/Subcontract BOQ and Contract
Documents) as compared to Resource Loading/"Time Frame" on the same
Activities in the Master Level 3 EPCC Schedule -but the Key Milestone and
Contractual Dates have to be met as denoted on the Level 3 EPCC Schedule
and therefore duly included in the Contract between Company and
Subcontractors. The Master Level 3 EPCC Schedule issued Initially for
development into Level 4 Schedules (and subsequent Updates to the same)
by Subcontractors-can Only be Updated when Updates are submitted-
via "Import" Directly, when the "Steps" Function has been utilized Initially to
develop the Level 4 Schedules from the Level 3 Schedule by the
Subcontractors, as the Activities in the Level 3 Schedule will be the same as
in the Level 4 Schedule (save for Added Activities due to "Scope" Changes
etc.) as P6 "Steps" have been used to further define Level 3 Activities-and
the "Direct" Import of the Level 3 Schedule Updates (including the Level 4
Activities as "Steps") will be appropriate. However, if
Subcontractors "Hammocks" Added Level 4 Activities into the Level 3
Schedule Activities or simply "Adds-On" Level 4 Activities to Issued Level 3
Schedule or "Subprojects" Extracted from Master Level 3 EPCC
Schedule by Subcontract and Issued to Subcontractors-they will be
obligated to "separately" Update the Level 3 Schedule supplied to them-as
the Level 4 Updated Schedules with "Added" Activities should not be
Imported into the Master Level 3 EPCC Schedule-as the Integrity and
Content/Detail on the Master Schedule should be maintained at the Level 3
Detail. If "Job Lists" (in Excel etc.) are used to further define the Activities in
the Level 3 Schedule to Level 4 Detail and subsequently Updated in Excel-
and the Level 3 Schedule is Updated/Refined based on Activity Status
indicated on "Job Lists"-the Level 3 Schedule Issued to and Updated by
Subcontractors can be "Directly" Imported into the Master Schedule, as the
Detail on the Subcontractor Updated Level 3 EPCC Schedules (or
on "Subprojects" Extracted from Master Level 3 EPCC Schedule by
Subcontract and Issued to Subcontractors)-will be the same as the
Detail on the Master Level 3 EPCC Schedule.
-As Noted Above-Subcontract Level 4 Schedules may be Developed and
Updated -from the Company supplied "Entire" Master Level 3 EPMCC
Schedule or "Subprojects" Schedules Extracted from Master Level 3 EPCC
Schedule by Subcontract > by Any of the Methods Below->
1. Using "Steps" in P6 to further define Level 3 Activities into Level 4
Activities (This Method enables "Direct" Import of Subcontractor Schedule
Updates into Master Level 3 EPMCC Schedule).

2. Using "Hammocks" to further define the Level 3 Schedule Activities,

by Developing/Adding Level 4 Activities to "Hammock" into the Level 3
activities and Updating them at designated Periodic Intervals (This Method
does not enable "Direct" Import of Subcontractor Schedule Updates into
Master Level 3 EPMCC Schedule-and therefore the Subcontractor Level 3
Schedule needs to be Updated "separately" and submitted for Integration
into the Master Level 3 EPMCC Schedule).
3. Developing/Adding Level 4 Activities to further define Level 3 Activities ,
(and Updating them at designated Periodic Intervals) but not "Hammocking"
into the Level 3 Activities, but maintaining them separately (This Method
does not enable "Direct" Import of Subcontractor Schedule Updates into
Master Level 3 EPMCC Schedule-and therefore the Subcontractor Level 3
Schedule needs to be Updated "separately" and submitted for Integration
into the Master Level 3 EPMCC Schedule).
4. Developing/Adding and Updating Level 4 Activities "Job Lists" in Excel
etc. -based on Level 3 EPMCC Activities and Updating the Subcontract Level
3 Schedule at designated Periodic Intervals (This Method enables "Direct"
Import of Subcontract Schedule Updates into Master Level 3 EPMCC
Schedule).
Note->The "Reflections" Feature in P6 can be used to Update the Master
Level 3 EPMCC Schedule based on Periodic Subcontractor Updates which are
Integrated into the Master Schedule-as described in the "Using Reflections"
paragraph in this document.
Note->The Subcontractor Level 4 EPCC Schedule can be developed from
the Initial or Interim Master Level 3 EPCC Schedule as described above-
and the Subcontractors can conduct EV Analysis/"What-Ifs" on the Level 4
Schedules, as desired, independently-but the Subcontractors are obligated
to Update the Master Level 3 Schedule by any of the 4 Methods indicated
above, depending on configurations as described in these Methods. Also, the
Level 3 Master EPCC Schedule can be Updated by Subcontractors for their
individual Activities in Excel-by Company Scheduler providing the Activities to
be Updated by Subcontractor via P6 to Excel Export and then Importing the
Excel Updates on Completion from Excel to P6 Master Schedule.

-Cost Control/Forecasting in Excel, Using P6 Master Schedule EV Information-

The Excel Spreadsheet (Cost Control Spreadsheet Template is available)

should be populated from the Cost Model -at the Cost Level 3 stage-for the
Unique Project or Otherwise (by discussions with concerned Team Members)
in the following fashion->For Project Management, Engineering (can be
defined as Civil/Mechanical/Piping/Electrical/I&C Engineering Personnel-
>Summing up into "Total" Engineering), Procurement -by Person->Project
Manager, Electrical Engineer etc.-spreading Planned Hours over the Months
of allocation. Applying Agreed to Dollar Rates to these Manhours-arrive at
the Planned Budget Costs Per Month. Vendor Planned/Budgeted
Manufacturing Dollars by Planned Terms of Payment at designated Periods,
as determined from the P6 Master Schedule or Contract Documents. For
Construction->Take Subcontractor Contract Dollars by Subcontract and
spread Dollars in the ratio of Construction Planned Manhours by Month, by
Subcontractor, as derived from Resource Loaded P6 Level 3 Master Schedule/
Alternatively->Take Contractual Company/ Subcontractor "Payment
Schedule" and spread over Months as dictated by "Payment Schedule" (this
is the Company/Subcontractor Approach->the same can be done using
Client/Company "Payment Schedule" when a Client/Company Approach is
desired). For Commissioning->Take Contractual Dollar Amount for
Commissioning and spread over Months as per ratio of Commissioning
Manhours Per Month as dictated by Resource Loaded Master Level 3 EPCC
Schedule (Commissioning Resource Loading will contain GC Commissioning
Management, Vendor TFAs and borrowed GC Craft Workers to correct
deficiencies identified during Commissioning). Other Planned Incidentals-
Travel, Other Reimbursements will be defined at the Cost Level 3 Stage.
There are also Tabs on the Cost Control Excel Worksheet for Risks/
Opportunities, FDRs etc. which can be filled in depending on the Unique
Project to be Planned/Monitored. Once the Cost Control Spreadsheet has
been populated with all "Planned" Data->MONITORING/TRENDING can be
conducted at Designated Intervals->"Earned Value"/Progress Percentage can
be obtained from the Updated P6 Master Level 3 EPCC Schedule for Project
Management (which will be defined as "Project % Complete" or a
straight "Level of Effort" over the span of the Project), for Engineering by the
Main Categories of Civil/Mechanical/Piping/Electrical/I&C -rolling up
into "Total" Engineeering if desired, for Procurement by Percent Complete for
Procurement. In all cases the "Budgeted" Costs as defined on the Cost
Control Level 3 Spreadsheet will be multiplied by the Percent Complete
obtained from the P6 Master Level 3 EPCC Schedule-to arrive at Earned
Value for the different parameters/Project Phases or parts thereof.
Thereafter, the "Actuals/Spent" Values will be collected for these same
parameters from SAP or Other Enterprise Reporting System and entered into
the Cost Control Level 3 Spreadsheet at appropriate places and calculations
conducted for ETC/EAC etc. based on Costs which have been tabulated. For
Vendor Manufacturing Activities on the Cost Control Level 3 Spreadsheet,
there will be no "Earned Values" as such-Only Outgoing Amounts/"Actuals"
as reported by SAP->and this Category/Phase will contain only Budgeted-
Planned and "Actuals" Values. For Construction->Earned Value, by
Subcontractor, will be defined by Percent Complete for each Subcontractors'
Activities as obtained from the P6 Master Level 3 EPCC Schedule
and "Actuals/Spent"/Outgoing Costs allocated by Subcontractor will be
gathered from the SAP System and ETC/EAC Costs calculated by
Subcontractor. For Commissioning->Earned Value Percent Complete will be
obtained from the Level 3 EPCC Schedule, "Actuals/Spent" from SAP and
ETC/EAC etc. computed. To Measure and Denote Forecasts etc. though ->
Use Only BUDGET/PLANNED and ACTUALS in Cost Control Level 3
Spreadsheet where required- where "Personnel" are concerned, as in
Engineering & Procurement-not for Manufacturing/Construction/
Commissioning as No Planned "Personnel" Spreads (such as Project
Manager, Electrical Engineer etc.) by Designation are applied in these
Categories.
In this manner-TRENDING & FORECASTING can be conducted for the EPMCC
Phases of Projects-on a "Budget" Constrained and/or a "Forecast" Driven
Basis-and in addition, the Cost Control Level 3 Data can be "Rolled-Up"
into the Cost Control Level 2 Format (and thereon to the Cost Control Level
1/Presentation Format) or directly into the Presentation Level 1/"Project
Review" Master Tab on File, along with Data collected on Travel/Expenses,
Risks & Opportunities, FDRs etc. which exist on and are "Rolled-Up" from
their respective "Tabs" on the Cost Control Excel File to the Cost Control
Level 1/Presentation "Tab". The "Presentation" Level 1 "Tab" thus provides
Summary Data on "Budget/Forecast/Actuals to Date" along with entries on
FDRs and Risk/Opportunity Exposures etc. The Excel Cost Control File also
contains a "Tab" for "Cash Flow"->data for which is derived from/linked to
the Cost Control Level 3 Detail "Tab" Activities/Entries.

-Assigning Dollar ($)/Manhour Estimated Rates & Specific Display of Manhour Usage-

Estimated $/Manhour Rates are calculated using Base Rate Plus Allowances
for Long & Short Term Disability/Medical/Life Insurances, COLA Per
Diem, Housing, Transport etc. depending on Professional-Skilled-Unskilled
Designation/Location etc (Refer to any Standard Company "Pay Slip"
or "Employee Contract" for Details/Breakdown). Usually-when allocating
Manhours/Manpower to Schedule Activities-the Ratio of Skilled/Unskilled
Workers is assumed to be 1:2, irrespective of Total Manhours assigned
to Activities-that is to say -> Welder/Welder Helper is 1:2 (NOTE->For
Certain Activities, such as Welding/Pipefitting Large Bore Piping -36" or
48" etc.-Work can proceed only from "both" ends -and possibly "center" of
Piping Runs-due to Piping "Fit-Up" concerns-therefore the Duration of the
Piping Activities concerned would have to be "extended" to accommodate
assignment of Welding and Pipefitting Manpower by the Ratio of, at the
most, 8:16, per Craft Discipline, for Skilled/Unskilled Manpower-2 Crews of
Welders/Welder Helpers starting at "both" ends and 2 Crews starting from
the center; the same allocations would hold true for Pipefitters/Pipefitter
Helpers)->. So determining "Composite Manhour Dollar Rates" for an Activity
or a set of Activities under the same Discipline-such as Civil Work/Piping etc.
would be designated as->Welder=$50/Hour and Welder Helper=$30/Hour-
>Composite Rate for Welding would be=$50 + $30 +$30=$110/3 =$36.6/
Hour, irrespective of the Total Welding Manhours assigned to concerned
activities. As far as "Display" of Manhours to Activities for any Discipline is
concerned-when the Display is to show "Manpower" instead of "Manhours",
the "Time Interval" or Work Unit when displaying Profiles or Usages is
Important-so if there needs to be a "Display" based on Monthly Usage-the
Dividing Factor for activity-allocated Manhours would be 160 Hours (40
Hours/Week x 4 Weeks etc.)-or any custom factor depending on Working
Hours per Month. Similarly, specific Dividing Factors could be used whilst
denoting Daily Usage/Weekly Usage etc. as and when needed.

-EV/ETC/EAC Analyses using Duration (as BQ) %s or Manhours/Dollars-

In the absence of segments of EPCC Schedule not provided with Budgeted

Manhours or Dollars, Copy Original Duration to Budgeted Quantity-Then
formulate Planned Curves/Tables for EPCC Phases or any segment thereof.
The Planned Values will be therefore based on Duration/Resource-BQ
Percentages-can be done as Profiles/Usage Tables on Activity Screen or
using "Reports" formulated as "Excel/.cvs" Type Data that is Exported to
Excel-wherefrom Planned Curves can be generated. At each Update Period,
formulate Earned Value/Progress based on (Duration)/Resource-BQ Values
and/or Percentages for the EPCC Phases or any segment thereof. The
Earned Value for Project can be based on Progress for the E/P/C/C Stages
individually, Contractual Dollar Values assigned for the individual Phases and
Overall "Project" Progress formulated in the usual manner. Given the Project
Overall Manhours and/or Dollars->the (Budget and) Planned and Earned
Values (Only-if needed) can also be calculated for any Phase of the Project or
parts thereof in Manhours or Dollars, as the relevant Values of (Duration)/
Resource-BQ and Percentages derived therefrom will be available. If Actual/
Spent Values are provided for the E/P/C/C Stages and all segments thereof-
>Manhours or Dollars->And "Overall" Project Manhours or Contract Dollars
are available, the Budgeted/Planned and Earned Values can be roughly
calculated for Project by Manhours or Dollars for the E/P/C/C Stages or
segments thereof based on breakdown of Resource-Manhour Values by
Duration or Percentages derived thence after using Duration as a Ratio/
Multiplier to Overall Resource-Manhours, given the "Overall" Project
Manhours or Contract Dollars. With the Actual/Spent Values being available,
at any detail of breakdown, the P/E/S Values can be formulated in Manhours
or Dollars and EV/ETC/EAC formulated in the usual manner. If data for P/E/S
is available only in Manhours, apply "Composite Dollar Manhour Rates" by
Craft Discipline (as given in section above) to Manhours to arrive at Dollar
Value EV Analyses based on Discipline Type-Engineers/Piping, Electrical Craft
Workers etc. and for Manufacturing-by Dollars Only, as Dollars will be the
Resource for Manufacturing, not Manhours. In EXTREME Cases, where
Actuals/Spent Values are not provided in Manhours or Dollars, the Discipline
Leads/Craft Superintendents can be asked to provide Actuals/Spent Values
as "Percentages" based on Budgeted Quantities or Planned Quantities-but
note should be taken that "Actuals/Spent" Values are not confused
with "Earned" Percentages reported. The (Budget and) Planned/Earned/
Actual Values can then be formulated based strictly on "Percentages" and EV/
ETC/EAC Values calculated based on these assumptions. If "Overall"/Project
Values for Manhours and/or Dollars have been provided however, the P/E/S
Values based on "Percentages" can still be converted to Manhours/Dollars for
the E/P/C/C Phases or sections thereof, as "Percentages" reflected for these
sections or portions are "relative" to each other and representative of the
Resource Loading which was done by "Duration=Budgeted Quantity" and
converted to "Percentages" in the same ratios-and hence there is a direct
correlation between and amongst items being measured.
General Notes on Activity Steps/Actual Values-
1. Activity Percent Complete can be directly based/updated on Activity Steps-
>Enterprise/Project/"Calculations" Option. In same Option->for allowing Actuals to
be entered manually->"Uncheck"-"Recalculate Activity Units & Cost when Duration %
Complete changes". Yet to discover whether Activity Steps can be Updated when
Main Activities concerned are themselves Updated-that is, via Excel Updating or
directly in P6.
Excel Budgeted Cost Entry-
2. Budgeted Cost-Units does not appear to be directly Imported from Excel/
Workaround->Create User Defined "Number" Field (Resource Assignment Option
in User Defined Box) for BC->Export to Excel->Fill in this Field with Budgeted Cost
Values by calculation with Overall Budget for Project Section->Reimport into P6-
>Global Change, Budgeted Cost=User Defined Budgeted Cost Field.
Relation between Percent Complete & RD/View Bars-
3. There is no facility to Link % Complete and RD in P6 as there is in P3/->in P6
Performance % Complete and Expected Finish Date can Status most Activities
and can be displayed in the Bar Chart (Yet Unresolved is the "Formatting" of
Bars->"Actual Bar" on Bars is shown as "Actual Work" till Data Date after which
the "Remaining Bar" is shown in a different Color as "Remaining Work" till Finish date
of Activity; When "Performance % Complete" needs to be shown as "Actual Work"
and "Remaining Bar" as "Remaining Work"->the display for the "Performance %
Complete" portion does not always show the true %->i.e. if Performance %
Complete is 66%, the "Actual Bar" may show 50% or show as "Actual Work" Color
upto Data Date-Need to Resolve).
"At Completion" Budget-Bottom Layout Window-
4. In Table EV/ETC/EAC Displays->The "Top "Table" View provides All the
information for EV/ETC/EAC sa per Standard Nom and Calculations (Refer Sample
Schedule-"Khan"-Activities. The "At Completion-Budget" Value demonstrated in
Bottom Layout Detail is calculated as Standard 8 Units/Hours Per Day multiplied by
Duration-> and is only a means for Comparison between this displayed Value and
true "Budgeted Units" for the Activity. In Bottom Layout Detail->When "Actuals"
(Units) are Added to Activity/Resource->"Remaining" Units are calculated as "At
Completion" Units Minus "Actual" Units.
Budgeted Cost for "Expenses"-
5. In "Expenses" Tab->the "Budgeted Cost" for Expense can be Imported or Entered
Manually->and it exists Independently as an "Expense"-Travel, Petty Cash etc. for
the Activity-Isolated from the "Budgeted Costs" for Resources -Labor, Non-Labor or
Material, which exist in the "Resources" Tab.
Breakdown of Project Total Costs or Resources corresponding with related Project
Activities-
6. As an Exercise done-when Breaking Down Total Quantities/Resources (Manhours)
or Cost from the Contractual or Other Project Documents->the Breakdown by Total
Cost by Duration and the Segmental Breakdown by Total Cost/Resources by Duration
according to Discipline showed no Major Differences->But it is more safer and Logical
to breakdown Total Costs/Resources by Discipline or Segment and corresponding
Duration of a Project (that is, by Civil Works, Ping, etc.)-to give a reasonably
accurate view when Breaking Down Costs by Duration. Whilst Breaking Down
Quantities (and related Resources) by Discipline or Segment and corresponding
Duration-you are obliged to use the Discipline Quantities (Piping, Cable etc.)-so
in this case the Project "Segments" are necessarily/compulsorily Broken Down
corresponding with associated Duration by Discipline "Segments" themselves.

Non Recognition of Pre-Entered Budgeted Quantities and Resources in P6 host

Schedule-
7. Budgeted Quantities Imported from Excel to P6 MAY not register or be recognized
if there are Values for them already existing in the host P6 Schedule; so these "Old"/
Existing Values have to be deleted from the Project before Import OR "Old" Schedule
has to be Copied Over (using "Sub-Project" Copy Over Methodology), without
Copying Over "Resource/Resource Assignments" in the "Copy" Dialogue Box->and
then the Import from Excel conducted into the Copied Over/"New" host P6 Schedule.
Checking Schedule "Project Integrity"/
8. If Error Messages on Import or whilst Scheduling/F9 are detected,
Choose "Ignore"-but this is a Temporary Measure->To eliminate most Error
Messages, Select/Run "Check Schedule Integrity" Option under "Tools"-this will
Resolve most Problem Areas regarding Schedule Integrity.
Maintain Excel Export File "Integrity" before Importing back into P6-
9. Avoid altering "Format" of Exported Excel Files-especially the Columns marked
with an Asterisk->"*"-as this Asterisk indicates data that should not be changed or
the additional changes made to Other Parameters in Excel File or Parameters marked
in Columns with Asterisks will not be Imported as needed/required.
Deleting Resources-In Project or Globally-
10. Assigned Resources-either on a Global or Project assignment-can Only be deleted
one-by-one manually from the Activities concerned or directly in the Resource
Dictionary->Enterprise/Resources Option.
Using "Notebook" Option to show "Activity Steps" in Bar Area-
11. "Notebook" Items -by Copying/Pasting from Activity "Steps" Option (ONLY by
hitting Keys->CTRL C/CTRL V) can be shown in the Bar Chart Area Only-there is
no provision as yet to show "Steps" in the Table Area or Export Steps related to
an Activity into Excel and have the Steps Updated in Excel and Imported so that
the Activity corresponding to the Steps is Updated in P6. The Activity Steps shown
as "Notebook" Items can be Updated on Hard Copy of Table/Bar Chart issued to Craft
Superintendents etc. and their Status obtained thus entered into the P6 Schedule.
The "Notes" Option in "Steps" Tab cannot be displayed in the Bar Area however
and it is for making Notes as regards Steps specified->and therefore the Option to
show "copied over" Steps in "Notebook" Tab has to be selected if Steps are to be
shown in the Bar area.
Import of "Expense" Budgeted Costs/Difference with "Resource" Budgeted Costs-
12. Cost Account IDs and Expense "Budgeted Costs" can be Imported into P6
after entry of the same in Excel-only through the Export "Expense" Option in
P6 and updated Only in the "Expense" Tab in Excel prior to Import into P6 (the
Cost IDs corresponding with the "Expense" Item need not be entered in Excel
before Importing Budgeted Costs for Expenses). The "Expenses "Tab" in P6
represents "sundry" Items-Travel, Petty Cash Expenses etc. as the Budgeted Costs
related with "Resource" Items-that is, Categories for Labor/Non-Labor/Material
is captured in the "Resources" Tab. Therefore the Budgeted Costs for "Expense"
Items and "Resource" Items are represented separately in the particular Tabs on
the Bottom Detail Layout Tabs-however they can be shown together in Table Area-
as "Budgeted Costs-TOTAL" or separately as " Budgeted Cost-Labor", Budgeted Cost-
Non Labor" or "Budgeted Cost-Expense" etc. To alter "Expenses" Settings and how
Expenses are calculated-Refer-> "Project/Expenses" Tab. Note->When "Expenses"
are Imported from Excel to P6 with a Cost Account ID (say "1")->Expense Budgeted
Cost "registers" with Cost Account ID in "Expenses" Tab, but also "Adds" an
additional Item in the "Resources" Tab-with Cost Account ID=Whatever the Cost
Account ID is against the "Primary Resource" with Resource "At Completion" Units
of 8 Units/Day x Duration->in the Bottom Layout window. Also, in the Bottom
Layout window-"Expenses" Tab->the Expense "Budgeted Cost" registers on Import
from Excel to P6, but along with "Expense Budgeted Units"=1 and Expense "Price/
Unit"=Expense Budgeted Cost, so that Expense "Budgeted Cost" always=1 x Price/
Unit, which is the figure entered in Excel for Budgeted Cost anyway, before Import
from Excel to P6. The "Settings" for "Expenses"-such as Price/Unit etc. can be altered
if needed in the "Project/Expenses" Tab.
Resource "Budgeted Cost" based on Budgeted Units and Price/Unit->OR->Import by
Resource "Budgeted Cost"=User Defined/Global Change->User Defined BC=BC->
13. The Price/Unit cannot be changed or added in Excel for Resources, as it is an
unchangeable Item-as the Column Heading is marked with an "Asterisk"-however
Budgeted Units can be entered in Excel and the related Budgeted Cost for the
Resource (by Category-Civil Works/Piping etc. with respective Price/Unit) on Activity
in P6 will be automatically calculated based on Price/Unit for the Resource which
will have been defined in P6. Budgeted Cost for a Resource cannot be Imported if
entered in Excel under "Budgeted Cost" Column, but if needed, can be entered as
a denoted "User Defined-Number" Item (in Excel), which has already been created
in P6-as "User-Defined Number" in "Resource Assignments" Option in Enterprise/
User Defined Items, and then Exported to Excel->On Import to P6, a Global Change
converts the "User defined Field-Number" to the "Budgeted Cost-Labor" for Activities.
Alternatively, to get Resource "Budgeted Cost"->If the Manhours and related Dollars
are given in Contract for every portion or Category-such as Civil Works, Piping,
Mechanical Engineer etc.-the Price/Unit for these Resources can be tabulated for
each Category/Resource in $/Hour and entered into P6 for each Resource so that
Budgeted Costs for each Resource/by Activity is auto-calculated on Import of
Resource Budgeted Units from Excel to P6.

14. Import and Relationship between Cost Account ID/Resource/Expenses/Budgeted Cost-

Expense Items "Budgeted Cost" entered under "ProjCost" Tab in Excel are Imported into P6
irrespective if an Cost Account ID has been assigned to them in Excel. The Expense "Budgeted
Cost" is Imported as a Single Entry under Bottom Layout/Expenses Tab in Excel if no Cost
ID has been allocated to the Activity in Excel; however, if a Cost ID has been assigned along
with "Budgeted Cost" to an Activity in Excel->the data is Imported into P6 as an Entry with
Cost ID/Budgeted Cost in the Bottom layout/Expenses Tab in P6 as well as a separate Entry
under the Bottom Layout/Resources Tab in P6 with Cost ID designation assigned by Default
to Primary Resource with "0" Budgeted Cost and Default "At Completion Units"->8/Day x
Duration.
15. Methodology of Resource/Cost Loading for E/P/M/C/C Phases of Projects-
Engineering->Enter Resource/Budgeted Units in Excel in and if needed
Resource "Budgeted Cost" (as "User Defined Field-Number" in "TASKRSRC" Tab
and Import into P6; Global Change "User Defined Number-Budgeted Cost" into
real "Budgeted Cost" for Resource. If Budgeted Cost is not entered in Excel, Define
Price/Unit in P6 for each Resource and "Budgeted Cost" will be auto-calculated in
P6. Cost Account IDs can also be assigned to Resources in Excel before Import or
directly in P6 (Cost Account IDs have to be defined in the Cost Account Dictionary
to be "recognized"). Import or Entry of "Expense" Items are treated as described in
#14 above.
Procurement->Treat Resources as per "Engineering" section above.
Manufacturing-> Assign Cost Account IDs as needed/per Contract and
Manufacturing Dollars-As Resource, in Excel (for Import) or P6-and treat as
per "Engineering" section above.
Construction->In Excel (for Import) or P6->Resource Labor Manhours by
Discipline/Category (Civil Works, Piping etc.) and Resource Non-Labor Quantities
by Discipline/Category->by Activity (and Cost Account ID if needed)->Assign
Resource "Labor" Budgeted Cost as described in #14 above. Progress and Monitor
Activities when Resource and Commodity Loaded as described earlier in this write-
up.
Fabrication->Treat Resource/Manhours and Commodities as in "Construction"
section above-Resources/Quantities-Commodities.
Commissioning->Treat Resources as in "Engineering" section above->for TFA/
Supervision and Contractor-borrowed Manpower for Commissioning/Startup.
16. Resources & Roles-
The "Roles" for any Resource->for example, Resource=Manhours/Role=Welder-
>including Role Proficiency/Skill Level and Role->Price/unit, Availability Limits etc.
can be Added/Altered in the "Enterprise/Roles" Option as required.
17. OBS Name/Relationship with WBS/CBS-
Access Enterprise/OBS->Assign OBS Name/Users-As shown here the OBS Name,
as created, will apply to entire Project/WBS. Then access Project/WBS and have
a "Column" for "Responsible Manager"->Click mouse in "Responsible Manager" cell-
in line with WBS where the OBS needs to be assigned-the OBS dialogue box pops
up->Then Add "Responsible Manager" designation from OBS pop-up to each WBS
in Project concerned. Global Change can also be used very effectively to assign OBS
Names to groups of WBS's. Note->The CBS (Cost Breakdown Structure) is where the
OBS and WBS meet or align.
18. "Project Codes" & Assigning "Project Manager" designation to Projects->
Access Enterprise/Project Codes->Provide a List of Project Managers for all Projects/
Other Parameters can also be Added or Altered in Enterprise/Project Codes Option.
Then access Enterprise/Projects->Use Customize Option to create "Column"
for "Project Manager"->Then Click mouse in cell for "Project Manager" and Add/
Change "Project Manager" designation for any Project concerned. Right-Click in Table
View and select option to Customize "Columns" to Add/Change any Other Parameter
needed for Project(s) chosen in the "Enterprise/Projects" Option.
19. Changing/Altering/Adding "Settings" or "Calculations"-Options->
Edit/User Preferences; Enterprise/Projects; Settings/Admin Preferences; Hit WBS/
then "Highlight" Project or Access "Project/WBS"->then Change Settings in Bottom
Layout Detail.
20. How do you show Actual Work on Bars as Performance % Complete and the rest of Bar as
Remaining Work? That is, if the Activity is 60% Complete->the “Blue” Part of the Bar should show
60%, while the Remaining 40% should show Remaining Work-irrespective of where the Data
Date Line falls in between the Actual Start Date and Forecast Finish.
 In Bars, configure the “Timescale” of the Actual Bar – set it to “Performance % Complete”. Then,
ensure you have the Remain Bar on (separate line). That should do it. NOTE: The Remain Bar
will display the remaining duration – not necessarily the remaining work.
21. Is there any way to show Activity “Steps”-that is the “Real”/Actual Steps (& their Status) and
not just Numbers (such as Steps Completed=1 etc.) in the Table or the Bar Chart Views-and also
in Reports (corresponding with the Main Activities themselves)? Also, is there any way to Export/
Import-from P6 to Excel->The Activity Steps and related “Status”->corresponding with the Main
Activities?
I’m afraid there is not any way to display steps in the table. The best alternative is to not use
them, and replace your steps with activities – which is not really ideal in a lot of situations. They
cannot be displayed on the Gantt chart [Link] can be printed in reports, underneath an
activity. There is no easy way to do export and import steps. I can suggest creating a p6 report
that reports on steps. On the print-preview screen, send the data to an ascii csv file. That’s the
only way I know to export steps. I do not have any idea on how to import them.
Primavera Xer File Parser – Import WBS
From Excel Without The SDK->(Can also
be used for Import of Cost IDs/Cost
ID Names from Excel to P6?)->
On 01.16.12, In Tutorials, by Mimoune Djouallah
inShare4
• Program:
• Version:
• Difficulty:
• Time to Complete: 15 minutes
In this tutorial we explain how to import a WBS dictionary in Primavera P6 without the SDK.   NOTE: The
steps needed to transform a classical WBS presentation (which is WBS Path and Description) to a format
understood by the database (which is parent / child) is covered in Steps 1 to 6 of this tutorial.
To load the WBS data into Primavera P6, instead of using the SDK we will use the XER File Parser utility
provided by Oracle.  Essentially, the File Parser is an excel file that can read the data contained in a .xer
file, and gives the user the ability to modify some information and to build a new .xer.

It is definitely one of the most powerful utilities for Primavera P6, either standalone or enterprise, and it is
much safer to use than the SDK, as you don’t write directly to the Primavera database – unlike the SDK.

Tutorial Files

Complete this tutorial by downloading the following files:

• [Link]
• WBS_id_Generator.xls
Before You Start

Primavera P6 has a well defined database at its core, but you don’t need to be an IT graduate to
understand how it works.  Here’s what you DO need to know:

• Understand what a Primary Key is used for

• Understand what a Foreign Key is used for
 • Understand the type of relationships between tables in the database

I recommend googling the terms above. There are a lot of courses available on database structures.

The description of the tables of Primavera P6 r8.2 database tables are available here.  It can be very
useful to understand how the P6 database is organized (WBS, Activity Codes, Resources, etc.)
Also, here are some best practices on working with the XER File Parser utility:

• Always work on a copy of the .xer file, and make sure to always build a new .xer file.

• Never directly update a program from a modified .xer file, first import it as a separate project, and
check if everything is ok, then you can update your program.

• Never import any .xer file directly to a production database, it’s too easy to contaminate P6 global
data objects.  Import to a test database first.

Step 1 – Generate a dummy xer file.

Create a blank dummy schedule in P6 – don’t add any WBS or activities.  Export the blank schedule
to .xer format.  The purpose is to have a .xer file with minimal data.

For the purposes of this tutorial, the name of the schedule is Test, and the WBS code, is Sample Oil, Gas
WBS.

Step 2 – Open the Xer file using the Excel Parser Utility.
Open the Excel XER File Parser spreadsheet.  Click on Load XER file, select [Link] file then click OK.

Here’s what you should see.  The table for the WBS dictionary is called PROJWBS.   Click the PROJWBS
link to edit WBS data.

Here is the result.

The most important columns are wbs_id, wbs_short_name, wbs_name and parent_wbs_id.
In the next steps, we’ll show you how to generate those ids from a WBS.

Step 3 – Generate the WBS_id and the Parent_WBS_id

Open the WBS_id_Generator.xls Excel file.  In the second row, copy and paste the values from the Excel
File Parser.  Please notice, we have changed the WBS Code from “TEST” to “Sample”.

Now copy the data in yellow from the Excel file done in the previous tutorial.

The primary key for the table PROJWBS is wbs_id.  We generate a new wbs_id for the new
WBS.  Please notice for the first wbs_id we add 100 (40484 — 40584) then we increase the number by 1.
Then for the column Parent_wbs_id, by using a vlookup formula, we can find the corresponding wbs_id
for the Parent.

Step 3 – Build the new xer file with the new WBS.

Now all what we have to do is fill the columns with the data of the WBS.

• Wbs_id, wbs_short_name, wbs_name, parent_wbs_id ; copy in the values from the

WBS_id_Generator.xls.
 • Proj_id, obs_id, sum_data_flag, status_code, ev_user_pct, ev_etc_user_value, orig_cost,
indep_remain_total_cost, ev_compute_type, ev_etc_compute_type ; copy and keep the same
data from the first row

• proj_node_flag : all rows have the value N.

• seq_num : copy the same value to any new rows (which is first value +100)

• Guid : this is another primary key generated by the database, for any new rows leave this column
empty.

• Don’t add anything to columns with empty values.

Now click on Build XER file.  Select a new file name (TEST1) then click on OK.
Voila, now you have a new .xeer file, loaded with the WBS dictionary.  You can now import that file
to your P6 database.  But remember to have a look at it on a test database first – don’t import it to a
Production database until you’ve checked the import works.

Wrap Up

The XER File Parser is a must-have utility for any planner especially if he deals with external
schedules.  In this tutorial we showed only one particular use, but this utility has much broader use.

But who knows, perhaps one day Primavera will the add the facility to copy and paste from Excel – other
Planning software can do it, so why not P6?

 
 
 
 
 
 
6 Votes

Mimoune Djouallah

Mimoune is a Project Controls Engineer with solid Planning and Cost experience in Oil/Gas EPC projects,
Drop him a line at [Link]@[Link]
Visit Authors Website  |  Read more posts by Mimoune Djouallah

EGuevara
3.15.2012

Excellent possibility for wbs construction. Thanks

I am using P6V7SP3
I tried the parser and when building the XER file, I don´t get the header line in the XER, so it can not be
imported to Primavera.
Also, there is a column not included in your example thatt appears in my Primavera export: est_wt. It
seems we can have it empty for new rows
Thanks again
EG

Mimoune, How can we check whether the P6 loaded on our system has XER File Parser utility provided
by Oracle? If not then can we get this Parser from the internet?

4.30.2012

the link to download the parser is provided in the tutorial

syed mhammed burhan uddin

5.13.2012

Use Reflections in Primavera P6 to merge

scenarios back into your project
On 08.10.11, In Tutorials, by Michael Lepage
inShare
• Program:
• Version:
• Difficulty:
• Time to Complete: 15 minutes
Reflection projects are a little known but very handy feature in Primavera’s P6 Power Client. 
A Reflection is essentially a copy of a project but with one snazzy built-in trick – the ability to merge the
copied project back into the original at any time.    If the genius of this trick hasn’t struck you yet, it will.
This merging ability was designed to help planners work with scenario projects.

Let’s say you’re the planner for a large capital project that is a falling behind schedule.  The boss wants
you to assess the impact of adding an extra shift to the work schedule.  How much time can be caught up
with this approach (ie: scenario)?

The thing to do here is to create a Reflection of the project, add an extra shift and verify the finish
date.   If the boss approves the extra shift, then you can merge this  scenario project into the original
project along to keep the changes you made.   This saves you the time of renaming projects, resetting
permissions and copying and pasting changes from one project to another.  There are also some nice
options to help you create a backup of the original project in case you need to reference it again in the
future.
 
Step 1 – Creating a Reflection of a project

From the Projects window, right-click on the original project and select Create Reflection from the menu.
  

If the original project has any baselines you will  see pop-up window where you can select whether or
not to copy those baselines along with the project.   Simply mark the checkbox in the Copy column if you
want to preserve any baselines in the Reflected project.

You should now see a copy of your project in the Projects window.  The copy will have the same Project
ID with “-1″ appended.  This reflection project will also be marked with a Status of “What-If” which is
Primavera’s way of indicating the project is a “scenario” project and not a real project plan.
 
Step 2 – Open the Reflection project and Activity Layout
Now it’s time to run your scenario.  ie:  make changes to the Reflection project to test out your scenario,
hypothesis, etc.

In this tutorial, we’ll make a small change to the reflection project’s resources.

Open the Project and then Open the Activity Layout provided the tutorial downloads section.
 

Before we make any changes, you’ll need to make sure a key setting for working with resources is set
correctly in User Preferences.  Go to Edit -> User Preferences, and click on the Calculations
Tab.
Set the “Recalculate the Units, Duration, and Units/Time for existing assignments
based on the activity Duration Type” option.  This will make sure that Primavera will perform
the necessary recalculations when resources are added or removed from an activity.  Close the User
Preferences window.
 

Step 3 – Making changes to the Reflection project

Find Activity A1020 – Convert Legacy Data.  You’ll be adding another resource to A1020 to see how this
will affect the project’s finish date.   Since the activity’s Duration Type is set to “Fixed Units”, adding an
additional resource will have the effect of shortening the activity’s duration and spreading the units equally
over the 3 resources assigned.  Let’s give it a try.

Add Tom Bell as a new resource assignment to A1020.   Reschedule the project using the current
data date and check the project’s finish date.
The project should now finish on Dec 20, 2010 whereas before it was scheduled to finish on March 1,
2010.

 
Step 3 – Reviewing the Differences Report
Go back to the Projects window and right-click on the Reflection project.  Choose “Merge
Reflection into Source Project” from the menu.   You should now see the Differences Report
window.
This screen is really nice.  It provides you with a report on the differences between the original project and
the reflection.  From here you can choose which changes you want to merge into the original, or leave
out by checking the box in the “Merge” column.  Don’t like the updates on a particular activity?  Just leave
them out.

P6 also gives you some options to archive the original project, either as a baseline or as an .xer export
file.  This is essential as you’ll likely need to keep the original project around.  And you can also choose
how to handle the reflection – keep it, delete it or replace it (update it) with the new merged project.
 
Step 4 – Merging the Reflection into the original project
plan
If you agree to merging the projects, you can go ahead and set the options as above, and click “Merge
Changes” to finalize the merge.  You may want to print this differences report first, or you might even
copy and paste it into a text document before you Merge.  You can do either of these by clicking the
Display bar.

Wrap Up
The Reflection and merging features in Primavera are great features for the planner or scheduler who
needs to run project scenarios or hypothetical analysis.

Things for you to try:

•  Try making more than 1 reflection of the same project to compare multiple scenarios

What else you should know about reflections:

• the Reflections features are only available in the P6 Power Client and not in P6 Web Access

• A quote from the Primavera help file:   “Merging will not necessarily remove items from the source
project that have been deleted from the reflection.   If major elements of a project have been
deleted from the reflection, you will have to manually delete them from the source project if
you do not want to keep the elements in the source project.  Elements that are not deleted
during a merge include Activities, Resource Assignments, WBS elements, Work Products and
Documents, Project Expenses, Project Issues, and Project Risks.”
LINKS TO “YOU TUBE” FOR PERTMASTER “RISK ANALYSES AND
MANAGEMENT”->

[Link]
 
[Link]
 
(In General->Risk Analysis-First Input % Variation in Durations->Depending on % 
Variation in Durations, Results will give % Probability of Completion + “Tornado 
Charts” for Increase in Durations for Activities on Critical Path + Scatter Charts showing 
Degree of Criticality of Individual or Group of Activities)

LINKS TO “YOU TUBE” FOR P6---WBS ENTRY AND FORMULATING WBS STRUCTURE->

[Link]

LINKS TO “YOU TUBE” FOR P6---USING ACTIVITY CODES->

[Link]
 
LINK TO GOOD SITE FOR VARIOUS PRIMAVERA P6 “HOW-TO’s”->
 
[Link]
 
[Link]
 
[Link]
 
[Link]  (Good!)-“Linking Projects Together” Video-> http://
[Link]/resources/primavera/video-tutorials
 
[Link]   (Very Good!)- Videos->“Subcontractor Updates 
Using ‘Reflection’ Projects”/ “Subcontractor Updates Using Excel”->
[Link]
 
[Link] (Not Very Good!)
 
Lean/Agile project controls for Project Managers VIDEO WEBINAR->
 
[Link]
 
Aligning Project Selection & Prioritization with Corporate Objectives->

[Link]
uimode=nextgeneration&simulive=y&eventid=482358&sessionid=1&username=&partn
 erref=&format=fhaudio&mobile=false&flashsupportedmobiledevice=false&helpcenter=f
alse&key=E795F261A5EBD6C18AF17536EF69D9C4&text_language_id=en&playerwi
dth=1000&playerheight=650&overwritelobby=y&eventuserid=65992126&contenttype=
A&mediametricsessionid=53583718&mediametricid=908075&usercd=65992126&mode
=launch#
 
Operating in Uncertainty->Utility Lessons From The Field->
 
[Link]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Primavera P6 Training : Retained Logic vs Progress Override

Posted by AJ Williams on Fri, Jul 06, 2012 @ 08:31 AM

21
inShare

Primavera P6 Training

Overview 
Developing project plans in Primavera P6 involves identifying the sequence or network logic in which your activities
should occur. The network logic is strategic in the calculation of a Critical Path Method schedule, which is calculated
based upon the activity durations and network logic (predecessor/successor relationships). The schedule’s early
dates are calculated during the “forward” pass and the late dates are calculated during the “backward” pass.
The “optimized” project plan becomes the basis for the “baseline” or target plan, which is utilized for performance
measurement. This blog and Primavera P6 Training tutorial demonstrate the options for calculating the schedule
when activities occur “out of sequence” thereby violating the network.
Retained Logic Versus Progress Override
The Primavera P6 Schedule Options dialog box enables users to select between Retained Logic,Progress Override,
and Actual Dates to identify how Primavera P6 will schedule progressed activities. The video below demonstrates
both Retained Logic and Progress Override options.
When using Retained Logic, the activity that starts out of sequence cannot finish until it’s predecessor has finished.
The remaining duration of the out of sequence activity will be scheduled to begin after the predecessor is scheduled
to finish. Retained Logic respects the network logic.
When scheduling using Progress Override, Primavera P6 ignores the relationship between the activities and
schedules any remaining duration of the "out of sequence” activity from the data date.
The Primavera P6 Training Tutorial video below demonstrates scheduling the remaining duration of “out of sequence”
activities using both Retained Logic and Progress Override.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Primavera Training- Using Resource Lag & Resource

Duration
Posted by Jennifer Smurr on Fri, Jun 22, 2012 @ 11:53 AM

0
inShare

Primavera P6 Training
  

Managing your Resources and Staff with Primavera P6

With the economy the way it is at the moment, many of us find ourselves taking advantage of the

opportunities to be Mr. or Mrs. Fix-it in order to cut costs. As I found out this past week, choosing the

right tool is important. A “common” household problem that should have taken a half hour, ended two

hours later with more of a problem and ultimately more frustration. Primavera P6 is an all-in-one project

management tool enabling you to manage your resources to meet project deadlines! Saving you time,

money, and stress without sacrificing what is vital- your project SUCCESS.

Communicate resource requirements to resource managers in an efficient and orderly manner. Give
resource managers the tools needed to locate and deploy people with the right skills from both internal
and external sources to meet the business need and to communicate with them during the entire process.

The default method for distributing resource assignments in Primavera P6 is via linear distribution over the duration
of a project activity. The Primavera application also provides alternatives to linear resource assignment distribution to
accommodate those project scenarios where non-linear distribution is necessary.
A resource may be assigned a Lag- the duration from the start of the activity to the point at which the Resource
commences work. For example, if you have an upcoming 10 day activity requiring an engineer present, but the
project is split between two engineers… Using Resource Lag & Resource Duration in Primavera P6, you will be able
to assign Engineer 1 to perform the work on the first 5 days and Engineer 2 to finish up the second 5 days.
Please view the Primavera P6 Tutorial: Using Resource Lag & Resource Duration for a demonstration.
The Original and Remaining lag fields are manually entered when it is known that a resource will not be available or
is not needed when the activity starts. By typing in a lag, you delay the start of the resource by that amount of lag.
Original Lag is what was typed in and is used when there is no progress on the activity.
Remaining Lag is what lag is left after the activity has started. Remaining lag is automatically reduced once the
activity is started and the Data Date is moved forward.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE->

REFER IMS-WEB WEBCASTS @ [Link] (GO TO [Link]-

[Link] > /’ABOUT”/”EVENTS”/”VIEW EVENTS” & “VIEW RECORDED
WEBCASTS”---AND ALSO VIEW “YOU TUBE” DEMOS ON ALL P6 CAPABILITIES
AND FEATURES->LIKE EV/EXPORT-IMPORT FROM EXCEL/ PLUS ALL OTHER
DEMOS AS NEEDED. (GOOD!)