Understanding S-Curves in Technology Management: Project Progress Analysis, Exercises of Project Management

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Technology Management Students Notes

TM Tools - S Curve

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Anwar-ur-Rehman Pasha Rector IT-hub, Sargodha

Definition

• a display of cumulative costs, labour hours or

other quantities plotted against time. The

name derives from the S-like shape of the

curve, flatter at the beginning and end and

steeper in the middle, which is typical of most

projects.

• The beginning represents a slow, deliberate

but accelerating start, while the end

represents a deceleration as the work runs out

S-Curve Quantities

• Man Hours

• Costs

S Curve Quantity Units

• Absolute Values for man hours and / or costs

• Percentage Values for man hours and / or costs

The Baseline S Curve

Prior to project commencement, a schedule is prepared outlining the proposed allocation of resources and the timing of tasks necessary to complete the project within a set time frame and budget. This schedule is referred to as the Baseline Schedule.

What Is The Cut Off Date?

• The Cut Off Date is the date on which the

tasks were physically inspected to determine

their percentage complete values.

Example of Actual S Curves Using

Different Cut Off Dates

Percentage Man Hours versus Time

(Baseline = 100%) S Curves

Percentage Man Hours versus Time

(Target = 100%) S Curves

Calculating Project Progress

• Analysis of the above S Curves reveals the project as of

the 3rd^ of May 2012:

• Has grown in man hours by 5.56% (105.56 – 100.00)
• Has grown in duration by 1 day (6 days – 5 days)

Slippage

• Slippage is defined as " the amount of time a

task has been delayed from its original

baseline schedule. The slippage is the

difference between the scheduled start or

finish date for a task and the baseline start or

finish date. Slippage can occur when a

baseline plan is set and the actual dates

subsequently entered for tasks are later than

the baseline dates or the actual durations are

longer than the baseline schedule durations ".

S Curve Analysis

• The progress of the project is behind target. The Actual S Curve sits below the Target S Curve at the Cut Off Date.
• The project has grown in man hours. The Target S Curve finishes above the Baseline S Curve.
• The project has grown in duration. The Target S Curve duration is longer than the Baseline S Curve duration.
• The project has experienced start slippage, and thus started later than planned. The Target S Curve starts to the right of the Baseline S Curve.
• The project has experienced finish slippage, and thus will finish later than planned. The Target S Curve finishes to the right of the Baseline S Curve

Project Progress

Actual % Complete =

Actual YTD Man Hours @ Cut Off Date / Target Man

Hours x 100%

= 38.0 / 95.0 x 100%

Target % Complete =

Target YTD Man Hours @ Cut Off Date / Target Man

Hours x 100%

= 48.5 / 95.0 x 100%

Project Growth (Duration)

Analysis of the Baseline and Target S Curve data reveals the project has experience a growth in duration of 1 day, or 20.00% as compared to the Baseline Schedule.

Project Growth (Duration) = Target Duration - Baseline Duration = 6 days – 5 days = 1 day

Project % Growth (Duration) = ((Target Duration / Baseline Duration) - 1) x 100% = ((6 days / 5 days) - 1) x 100% = 20.00%

Project Start Slippage

Analysis of the Baseline and Target S Curve data reveals the project has a start slippage of 1 day, or 20.00% as compared to the Baseline Schedule.

Start Slippage = Target Start Date – Baseline

=Start Date1st^ May 2012 – 30 th^ April 2012 =1 day

Start Slippage % = Start Slippage / Baseline Duration x 100%

=1 day / 5 days x 100% = 20.00%