Click the photo to listen to Marjorie talk.
Why Is Tracking so Important?
Methodical tracking of projects is the only way I can keep my projects on schedule. I have to know what's happening so that I can anticipate the problems before they impact my project. I have weekly status meetings where we discuss the status of the project compared to the plan and review all the issues and concerns. I document the issues and track them through resolution. That's the only way I can be sure each issue gets resolved in a satisfactory manner.
Another tool I use is earned value. I think it's difficult to know if I'm on schedule. If the project makes its first milestone on time, I know only that the milestone is on schedule. But what about all the other activities that are happening at the same time? By using financial measurements like earned value, I can see what areas are behind or ahead of schedule and where I'm overspending. I know how much money has been spent, and I can calculate how much money I should have spent. It's a great tool for getting an objective view.
As a project manager, the worst thing that can happen to me is that I get surprised. If there's a problem that I wasn't aware of and I didn't make the appropriate changes to mitigate it, it will impact the cost, scope, or schedule of the project. I need to understand what's happening on the project so that doesn't happen.