Monitoring and control provide project managers with real-time status reporting that informs decisions and maintains communication among stakeholders. Project managers use monitoring data to determine if work is on task, on budget, and delivered on time. Show
Included on this page, you’ll learn how to create a project and control plan and best practices for implementing the plan. What Is Project Monitoring and Control?Project monitoring and control helps you measure project performance. Use the process to look at the project plan, review project status, identify potential problems, and implement changes when necessary. This phase coincides with the execution phase of the project lifecycle. You can use this phase to keep a project on schedule and within budget while also managing risk and avoiding scope creep. At the end of the monitoring and control phase, the customer accepts the completed project deliverables.
What Is the Main Purpose of the Project Monitoring and Control Phase in Project Management?The primary purpose of monitoring and control in project management is to identify problems before they occur and make adjustments. These changes may require reevaluating and updating the project plan. Alan Zucker, Founder of Project Management Essentials, LLC, who has more than 25 years of project leadership and management experience in Fortune 100 companies, identifies the purpose of monitoring and control: "Project managers regularly track performance focusing on cost, schedule, and scope. If the project is off-track, the project manager takes corrective action." Importance of Project Monitoring and ControlProject monitoring and control are essential to completing a project on time, on budget, and within scope. Monitoring and control processes identify deviations from the project plan. Project monitoring and control ensure that performance is seamless, efficient, and on track. Alan Zucker describes the importance of project monitoring and control for delivering a successful project: "Project managers know that no project proceeds perfectly according to plan. We must be diligent in tracking performance to see if it meets our expectations for success. If not, we must determine what is needed to keep the project on track." Project Monitoring and Control ProcessThe monitoring and control process tracks performance metrics to keep a project on schedule, on budget, and within scope. The process helps project teams discover problems before they occur.
How to Create a Project Monitoring and Control PlanA project monitoring and control plan integrates factors such as success, scope, schedule, resources, risk, and costs. The plan is developed during the project lifecycle’s planning phase.
How to Implement Project Monitoring and ControlProject managers use three to five key performance indicators to report monitoring data and define objectives to keep the project on track. KPIs must be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely.
Project Monitoring and Control Best PracticesProject monitoring and control best practices require constant attention to detail. These best practices can empower project managers and teams to balance time, cost, and budget.
Zucker adds, "Soft skills are often missed, so focus on communication and effectively maintaining stakeholder interest. Projects can benefit from a fresh perspective, and an advisory board of specialists provides oversight and guidance for project managers." Project Monitoring and Control TechniquesProject managers depend on monitoring and control to track, review, and report on project performance. They rely on this phase to make informed decisions, avoid crises, and maximize performance and opportunities. Project monitoring and control techniques address three areas in project management:
Project Monitoring and Controlling StrategySuccessful projects require diligence and precision in monitoring and control, so having the right strategy can make all of the difference. A good monitoring and control approach looks at quality, risk, and stakeholder engagement levels and communicates all project outcomes. These tips can help you adhere to a project monitoring and control strategy:
Project Managers Rely on Smartsheet for Project Monitoring and ControlFrom simple task management and project planning to complex resource and portfolio management, Smartsheet helps you improve collaboration and increase work velocity -- empowering you to get more done. The Smartsheet platform makes it easy to plan, capture, manage, and report on work from anywhere, helping your team be more effective and get more done. Report on key metrics and get real-time visibility into work as it happens with roll-up reports, dashboards, and automated workflows built to keep your team connected and informed. When teams have clarity into the work getting done, there’s no telling how much more they can accomplish in the same amount of time. Try Smartsheet for free, today. Which of the following documents is used to monitor and track risks to a project?A risk register document, otherwise known as a risk register log, tracks potential risks specifically within a project.
What are the steps of project monitoring?Here is a list of steps to take in order to implement an effective project monitoring strategy:. Create a plan or outline. ... . Set goals and expectations. ... . Decide how to monitor project. ... . Evaluate reports. ... . Make necessary improvements. ... . Collect and track data. ... . Provide progress updates. ... . Manage expectations.. What is monitoring of a project?But, what exactly is project monitoring? Project monitoring involves tracking a project's metrics, progress, and associated tasks to ensure everything is completed on time, on budget, and according to project requirements and standards.
What is involved in monitoring and controlling projects?Project management monitoring and controlling means actively reviewing the status of your project as it proceeds, evaluating potential obstacles, and implementing necessary changes. During this phase, organizations need to juggle several responsibilities, including: Keeping to the schedule. Staying within budget.
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