Skip to navigation Skip to content
  • Critical Planners LLC
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact
  • My Account
CriticalPlanners
CriticalPlanners
  • DoD Program Execution
    • Acquisition & Program Reviews
    • Deliverables & Milestones
    • Engineering & Development
    • Integration & Test
    • Procurement & Supply Chain
    • Program Reporting & IPMDAR
  • Earned Value Management
    • Control Accounts & Work Packages
    • EVMS Fundamentals
    • Forecasting & Variance Analysis
    • Performance Measurement Baseline
  • Government Contracting
    • CDRLs & Data Requirements
    • CLINs & Contract Structure
    • Contract Requirements
    • SOW / PWS / SOO
  • Integrated Master Scheduling
    • Critical Path & Float
    • IMS Fundamentals
    • Schedule Health
    • Schedule Statusing
  • Project Management Tools
    • Deltek Cobra
    • Deltek Open Plan
    • Excel
    • Microsoft Project
    • Power BI
    • Primavera P6
  • Proposal Planning
    • Basis of Estimate
    • Duration Estimating
    • Proposal Scheduling
  • Schedule Assessment
    • DCMA 14-Point Assessment
  • Baseline Management
  • Schedule Risk
    • Monte Carlo Analysis
    • Schedule Recovery
    • Schedule Risk Analysis
  • All Articles
    • Baseline Management
    • DoD Program Execution
    • Earned Value Management
    • Government Contracting
    • Integrated Master Scheduling
    • Project Management Tools
    • Proposal Planning
    • Schedule Assessment
    • Schedule Risk
  • IMS
  • EVMS
  • DCMA
  • DoD Programs
  • Tools
Program Planning & Controls
CriticalPlanners
All Topics
  • DoD Program Execution
    • Program Execution

      • Acquisition & Program Reviews
      • Deliverables & Milestones
      • Engineering & Development
      • Integration & Test

      Contracts & Reporting

      • Procurement & Supply Chain
      • Program Reporting & IPMDAR
      • CDRLs & Data Requirements
      • Contract Requirements


      All DoD Program Execution

      Explore all articles

      Program Management

      • Program Planning & Controls
      • Baseline Management
      • Agile Program Management
      • Schedule Assessment

      Program Lifecycle

      • SRR / PDR / CDR
      • TRR / PRR
      • FCA / PCA
      • Production Readiness
      Integrated program schedule with Gantt chart and critical path
  • Earned Value Management
      • Earned Value Management
      • EVMS Fundamentals
      • Control Accounts & Work Packages
      • Performance Measurement Baseline
      • Budget & Baseline Control
      • Earned Value Techniques
      • Performance Analysis
      • CPI & SPI
      • Schedule Variance
      • Cost Variance
      • Variance Analysis
      • Performance Trends

      • All Earned Value Management
        Explore all articles
      • Forecasting & Controls
      • Estimate at Completion
      • Estimate to Complete
      • Management Reserve
      • Undistributed Budget
      • Baseline Change Control
      • Reporting & Integration
      • IPMDAR Reporting
      • IMS / Cost Integration
      • Control Account Reporting
      • Monthly Performance Reviews
      • Corrective Action Analysis
  • Government Contracting
      • Contract Structure
      • CLINs & Contract Structure
      • SOW / PWS / SOO
      • Contract Requirements
      • Contract Deliverables
      • Data Requirements
      • Acquisition Planning
      • Acquisition Strategy
      • Solicitation Planning
      • Proposal Requirements
      • Contract Milestones
      • Source Selection Support

      • All Government Contracting
        Explore all articles
      • CDRLs & Reporting
      • CDRL Management
      • Data Item Descriptions
      • Delivery Requirements
      • IPMDAR
      • Customer Reporting
      • Contract Execution
      • Contract Changes
      • Funding & Modifications
      • Schedule Requirements
      • Program Deliverables
      • Contract Closeout
  • Integrated Master Scheduling
      • Integrated Master Scheduling
      • IMS Fundamentals
      • Schedule Development
      • Work Breakdown Structure
      • Milestones & Deliverables
      • Schedule Statusing
      • Critical Path & Float
      • Critical Path Analysis
      • Total Float
      • Near-Critical Paths
      • Driving Logic
      • Path Analysis

      • All Integrated Master Scheduling
        Explore all articles
      • Schedule Health
      • Logic Quality
      • Constraints
      • Leads & Lags
      • High Float
      • Out-of-Sequence Progress
      • Baseline & Status
      • Baseline Management
      • Schedule Updates
      • Forecast Dates
      • Finish-Date Analysis
      • Month-End Status
  • Project Management Tools
      • Scheduling Tools
      • Microsoft Project
      • Deltek Open Plan
      • Primavera P6
      • Schedule Templates
      • Schedule Automation
      • Schedule Analysis
      • Critical Path Tools
      • Schedule Health Checks
      • Duration Analysis
      • Float Analysis
      • Schedule Comparison

      • All Project Management Tools
        Explore all articles
      • Program Controls Tools
      • Deltek Cobra
      • Microsoft Excel
      • Power BI
      • Data Integration
      • Reporting Dashboards
      • Automation & Reporting
      • VBA & Macros
      • Custom Fields
      • Schedule Reporting
      • Data Visualization
      • Program Controls Workflows
  • Proposal Planning
      • Proposal Planning
      • Proposal Scheduling
      • Schedule Development
      • Proposal Milestones
      • Work Breakdown Structure
      • Schedule Requirements
      • Estimating
      • Basis of Estimate
      • Duration Estimating
      • Resource Estimating
      • ROM Estimates
      • Schedule Assumptions

      • All Proposal Planning
        Explore all articles
      • Proposal Development
      • Estimate Integration
      • Technical Inputs
      • Supplier Inputs
      • Integrated Planning
      • Review Cycles
      • Execution Planning
      • Baseline Strategy
      • Program Startup
      • Risk & Opportunity
      • Schedule Risk
      • Transition to Execution
  • Schedule Assessment
      • Schedule Assessment
      • DCMA 14-Point Assessment
      • Schedule Health
      • Logic Assessment
      • Constraint Review
      • Schedule Quality
      • Risk Analysis
      • Schedule Risk Analysis
      • Monte Carlo Analysis
      • Duration Risk
      • Criticality Analysis
      • Confidence Levels

      • All Schedule Assessment
        Explore all articles
      • Float & Path Analysis
      • Critical Path Analysis
      • Near-Critical Paths
      • Total Float
      • Driving Paths
      • Logic Trace
      • Recovery & Improvement
      • Schedule Recovery
      • Corrective Actions
      • Logic Repair
      • Forecast Improvement
      • Recovery Planning
  • DCMA 14-Point Assessment
  • Baseline Management
  • Procurement & Supply Chain
  • Schedule Risk
  • DoD Program Execution
    • Acquisition & Program Reviews
    • Deliverables & Milestones
    • Engineering & Development
    • Integration & Test
    • Procurement & Supply Chain
    • Program Reporting & IPMDAR
  • Earned Value Management
    • Control Accounts & Work Packages
    • EVMS Fundamentals
    • Forecasting & Variance Analysis
    • Performance Measurement Baseline
  • Government Contracting
    • CDRLs & Data Requirements
    • CLINs & Contract Structure
    • Contract Requirements
    • SOW / PWS / SOO
  • Integrated Master Scheduling
    • Critical Path & Float
    • IMS Fundamentals
    • Schedule Health
    • Schedule Statusing
  • Project Management Tools
    • Deltek Cobra
    • Deltek Open Plan
    • Excel
    • Microsoft Project
    • Power BI
    • Primavera P6
  • Proposal Planning
    • Basis of Estimate
    • Duration Estimating
    • Proposal Scheduling
  • Schedule Assessment
    • DCMA 14-Point Assessment
  • Baseline Management
  • Schedule Risk
    • Monte Carlo Analysis
    • Schedule Recovery
    • Schedule Risk Analysis
CriticalPlanners
CriticalPlanners
  • Search
HomeBlogPage 2
Project Management Tools scheduling dashboard

How to Calculate Finish Variance in Microsoft Project

Microsoft Project Microsoft Project, Project Scheduling By Noah Smith August 21, 2026 September 13, 2026

Microsoft Project finish variance is the difference between a task’s current Finish date and its Baseline Finish date. Microsoft Project calculates the field automatically with this formula: Finish Variance =

Read More
Program Planning and Controls dashboard

Retroactive Changes to the Performance Measurement Baseline

Baseline Management, Performance Measurement Baseline Baseline, Baseline Management, EVMS, Performance Measurement Baseline By Noah Smith August 21, 2026

A retroactive baseline change adjusts budget, earned value, actual cost, or related records associated with a previously reported period. It is not automatically prohibited. However, it should remain exceptional, receive

Read More
Project Management Tools scheduling dashboard

Deltek Open Plan: Scheduler Overview

Deltek Open Plan Deltek Open Plan, Program Controls Software By Noah Smith August 21, 2026

Deltek Open Plan is enterprise scheduling software built for large, complex programs. Schedulers use it to develop logic-driven plans, calculate critical paths, manage baselines, status progress, analyze resources and coordinate

Read More
Project Management Tools scheduling dashboard

How to Find Duplicate Task Names in Microsoft Project

Microsoft Project Microsoft Project, Project Scheduling By Noah Smith August 21, 2026

You can find Microsoft Project duplicate tasks by sorting the schedule on the Name field, grouping tasks by name, or running a Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) macro that flags

Read More
Integrated Master Scheduling program controls dashboard

How to Display Critical Path in Microsoft Project

Critical Path & Float, Microsoft Project Critical Path, Microsoft Project, Project Scheduling By Noah Smith August 21, 2026

To display the Microsoft Project critical path, open the Gantt Chart view, select the Gantt Chart Format tab and check Critical Tasks. Microsoft Project formats critical task bars in red.

Read More
Program Planning and Controls dashboard

How to Create a Baseline in Microsoft Project

Baseline Management, Microsoft Project Baseline, Microsoft Project, Project Scheduling By Noah Smith August 21, 2026

To create a Microsoft Project baseline, open the approved schedule and select Project > Set Baseline > Set Baseline. Choose the unnumbered Baseline, select Entire Project, and then select OK.

Read More
Project Management Tools scheduling dashboard

Microsoft Project for Integrated Master Scheduling

Microsoft Project Microsoft Project, Project Scheduling By Noah Smith August 21, 2026 September 13, 2026

Microsoft Project scheduling can support a credible Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) when the file uses disciplined logic, calendars, coding, status practices and baseline controls. The software can calculate dates and

Read More

How to Build a Robust Performance Measurement Baseline (PMB)

Program Planning & Controls Build Robust, Build Robust Performance, Program Planning and Controls (PP&C), Program Planning And Controls (pp&c) Build By Noah Smith August 21, 2026

Program Planning And Controls (pp&c) Build is a key part of How To Build A Robust Performance Measurement Baseline (pmb). Related reading: Integrated Project Controls In Complex Projects. Program Planning

Read More
Leave a comment
Schedule Risk Analysis program controls dashboard

What Is a Schedule Confidence Level?

Schedule Risk Analysis Schedule Confidence, Schedule Risk, Schedule Risk Analysis By Noah Smith August 21, 2026 September 13, 2026

A schedule confidence level is the probability that a program will complete a milestone on or before a specified date. Analysts calculate it by applying uncertainty and risk to a

Read More
Earned Value Management program controls dashboard

Schedule Variance vs Cost Variance

Forecasting & Variance Analysis Cost Variance, earned value management, EVMS, Schedule Variance By Noah Smith August 21, 2026

Schedule variance vs cost variance is a comparison between two earned value management metrics. Schedule variance measures whether the program has accomplished more or less work than planned. Cost variance

Read More

Posts pagination

  • ← Previous
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 13
  • Next →

About the Author

Noah Smith Program Planning & Controls

Integrated Master Scheduling, EVMS, schedule analysis, baseline management, and DoD program execution.

View LinkedIn Profile

Categories

  • Program Planning & Controls
  • DoD Program Execution
  • Earned Value Management
  • Government Contracting
  • Integrated Master Scheduling
  • Project Management Tools
  • Proposal Planning
  • Schedule Assessment
  • Schedule Risk

Tags Clouds

Agile Baseline Baseline Management CDR CDRL Critical Path DCMA DCMA 14 point assessment Deltek Cobra Deltek Open Plan DoD earned value management Earned Value Management (EVM) EVMS Government Contracting Government Proposals IMS Integrated Master Schedule Management Reserve Microsoft Project negative float Performance Measurement Baseline Product Backlog Program Controls Software Program Management Program Planning Program Planning and Controls (PP&C) Project Scheduling Proposal Planning Proposal Scheduling Schedule Analysis Schedule Constraints Schedule Health schedule lags schedule leads Schedule Risk Schedule Risk Analysis Schedule Statusing Scrum Sprint Planning Story Points Three-Point Estimate total float User Stories Work Breakdown Structure
CriticalPlanners
CriticalPlanners
Contact Info
Atlanta, GA 30342

Quick Navigation

  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Main Categories

  • DoD Program Execution
  • Earned Value Management
  • Government Contracting
  • Integrated Master Scheduling
  • Project Management Tools
  • Proposal Planning
  • Schedule Assessment
  • Schedule Risk

Project Management Tools

  • Project Management Tools
  • Deltek Cobra
  • Deltek Open Plan
  • Excel
  • Microsoft Project
  • Power BI
  • Primavera P6
Critical Planners LLC - All Rights Reserved

Quick Navigation

  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Main Categories

  • DoD Program Execution
  • Earned Value Management
  • Government Contracting
  • Integrated Master Scheduling
  • Project Management Tools
  • Proposal Planning
  • Schedule Assessment
  • Schedule Risk

Project Management Tools

  • Project Management Tools
  • Deltek Cobra
  • Deltek Open Plan
  • Excel
  • Microsoft Project
  • Power BI
  • Primavera P6
CriticalPlanners