Chapter 7 Monitoring and Evaluation
Chapter 7 Monitoring and Evaluation
Project Monitoring
Project monitoring is basically keeping track of progress of a project by comparing its
performance against targets, looking for causes of deviation, and attempting to check adverse
variances. Time and cost are two critical parameters for monitoring and control of a project, and
criteria for decision making in project management. Resources management is another very
important area in this respect.
A project may succeed or fail, based on a number of factors like choice of project, choice of site,
and its timely execution without any cost over-run. Examples of failed projects are innumerable,
evidenced by enormous project delays, cost overruns and persistent accumulation of losses due
to, inter-alia, inefficient and/ or ineffective monitoring and control. The project manager
monitors the overall project. The phase project manager reports to the overall project manager of
any risks.
Monitoring has the following tasks and the concerned officer/manager does it with utmost care;
When there is a significant chance that the goals of the project will not be met, this risk should be
reported to upper management. The project manager after identifying the likely problems, risks
and constraints would discuss the same with team and the higher management for resolving the
issues without hurdles. What however is not often realized is that project control involves all the
stages of a project cycle. It is not the implementation alone which calls for close supervision and
control. (The expressions ‘supervision’ and ‘control’ should not mislead people into believing
that these will be day to day intervention and interference). It has to be systematic, well
conceived and built into different stages of project cycle. This supervision and control
mechanism has to be set up well in advance, at the time of inception.
As soon as the project is launched, monitoring and control becomes the prime concern of project
management. In fact, planning and control becomes clearly intertwined in an integrated
management process. Project monitoring and control involves a regular comparison of
performance against targets, a search for the causes of deviation, and an attempt to check adverse
variances. This serves two major purposes:
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(i) It keeps everyone concerned with the project, informed regarding the status of the
project. We can tell whether we are on time or delayed, reasons for delay, if any,
potential delays, if any, and reasons thereof; whether we are within the budget or have
exceeded it, reasons for exceeding the budget, if any, and so on.
(ii) It motivates the project personnel to strive for achieving project objectives.
Effective monitoring and control is critical for realization of project objectives. Yet more often
than not, control of project in practice tends to be ineffective. This is mainly due to the following
reasons:
b. People problem- Most managers, used to the steady rhythm of normal operations and
routine work, find themselves thoroughly inadequate to monitor a wide range of disparate
factors, to sense the symptoms indicative of potential problems, and to comprehend the
combined effect of multiple forces interacting in a large project. This may be due to lack
of experience, training, competence and commitment to control projects.
c. Poor control and information system- Some of the weaknesses in control and
information system could be-
The purpose for any cost and control system is to establish policies, procedures and techniques
that can be used in management and control of projects. The planning and control system must,
therefore, provide information that gives a picture of true work progress and relates cost and
schedule performance. It should also identify potential problems with respect to their sources
and be able to demonstrate that the milestones are valid, timely and auditable. The planning and
control system, in addition to being a tool by which objectives can be defined also exists as a tool
to develop planning, measure progress and control change.
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CRITERIA FOR DECISION MAKING
It seen that many mega projects of water supply, STP, roads etc., get delayed due to improper
project manager/team and unclear project authority and powers not defined.
Experience and research studies in India indicate that rarely the critical elements of a project,
viz.-
• Correct choice of project,
• Proper choice of site,
• Timely execution of the project,
• Keeping check on the capital cost,
• Proper Project Manager
are found to combine, resulting in exorbitant delays, capital costs and operating costs far
exceeding estimates, and making the project a nonstarter. A study of a few years ago gives
alarming information on project overruns in India, which becomes a serious economic problem
for the country. 60% of 132 mega and major projects, individually costing more than Rs. 100
core each, and 70% of 199 medium projects, costing more than Rs. 20 cores each, in public
sector have incurred time overruns ranging up to 13 years, Cost overrun have taken away about
20% of total financial outlay. Of the 331 infrastructural development projects, 217 have incurred
cost overruns of 80% of the original cost. Surface transport stands out with time overrun of 157
months. Such massive overrun not only erode financial outlays, but also thwart progress in
industrial and infra-structural development (DoPT GoI PM Material)
Some constraints and causes have been mentioned under ‘PROJECT PLANNING’. The crux of
good project management is correct identification of causes of delay to help the project team to
try and eliminate the same. Broadly, the reasons for delay may lie in-
• Planning
• Organizing
• Monitoring
Hence the need to plan the resources adequately, right choice of project manager and his team,
project oriented organization (based on Work Breakdown Structure), proper and adequate
delegation of authority commensurate with responsibility would go a long way to reduce the
overruns. Proper MIS and effective coordination with all concerned (with the organization and
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outside agencies, statutory bodies etc.) would ensure timely project completion. Some of the
important factors to be borne in mind and taken care are:
Performance Monitoring
Once the project is completed, performance review should be done periodically to compare
actual performance with projected performance. Feedback on project is useful in several
ways:
It helps us to know how realistic were the assumptions underlying the project
It provides a documented log of experience that is highly valuable in decision making
in future projects
It suggests corrective action to be taken in the light of actual performance
It helps in uncovering judgmental biases
It includes a desired caution among project sponsors.
Performance Indicators (PIs) are an effective way of communicating a project’s benefits, usually
as part of a performance measuring and reporting process. Incomes and other benefits including
social costs and benefits are to be assessed as explained in chapter on appraisal of projects.
Planning Budget
Budget requirement varies depending upon the duration and size of the project. For projects
involving long duration with multiple tasks and procurements, resources have to be allocated
judiciously as and when required. Top management should ensure that this is done to ensure
successful completion of project.
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Procurement Procedures
Having identified the material and equipment required for the project, the next step is to identify
the various vendors, provide specifications, invite quotations, and carryout discussions with
select vendors. For medium to high value items, tendering process can be adopted. Tenders have
to be evaluated for technical and financial aspects. (See chapter on tendering and contract
procedure)
Network forms the basis for monitoring. The critical activities, with zero float/ very little float
are closely watched. As activities get completed progressively, the network is updated to take
note of fresh interdependencies that might come to light while updating the network. The
network technique is a versatile one, as it is action-oriented and continually revalidates and
revises the inter-relationship between the activities.
Let us assume the following example, which gives the position of the project at the planning and
scheduling stage before actual start of the activities.
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Fig 1: Network of Activities Given in Table 1 with Duration in Weeks in
Parentheses and Critical Path in Thick Double Lines Arrows
2 D(3) 5
G(2)
C(7) D2(0) E7=15
A(3) E(7) F(3) H(2)
1 4 6 7 8
B(5) D1(0)
We note from Fig 1 that activities B, E, F & H are ‘critical’, (1-3-4-6-7-8) forming the critical
path with duration of 17 weeks. Therefore, the above activities would call for maximum attention
while implementing the project.
Now, let us imagine that there has been a slippage, in the first 4 weeks, in activity C of 2 weeks
eating away the float in the path (1-2-5-6). We redraw the network depicting the changed
situation, as shown in Fig 2 below:
2 D(3) 5
G(2)
C(9) D2(0)
A(3) E(7) F(3) H(2)
1 4 6 7 8
B(5) D1(0)
Note: Cross on arrow (1-4) indicates that activity (A) has been completed.
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The position depicted in Fig 2 is tabulated below in Table 2, indicating critical activities with
asterisk(*).
*B 5 0 5 0 5 0 0 0
*C 9 0 9 0 9 0 0 0
*D 3 9 12 9 12 0 0 0
*E 7 5 12 5 12 0 0 0
*F 3 12 15 12 15 0 0 0
G 2 12 14 13 15 1 1 1
*H 2 15 17 15 17 0 0 0
We see that all but one activity (G) has become critical. Hence, two additional activities, viz. C
and D would need equal attention as activities B, E, F & H.
On the another hand if activity duration decreases from that estimated and planned, this may
again bring about a change in the critical activities/ paths, with associated change, which is
brought in focus by Network Analysis.
In this connection, it may be recalled that in the example on crashing if network for optimizing
it, we have seen how the criticality of the activities change.
Quit often, in a real life project, we are forced to re-examine the interrelationship and
interdependencies between various activities and try to redraw the network with altered
interdependencies in an attempt to match the resources availability the slippage that might have
occurred, or otherwise, to improve upon the original schedule. For example, roof work may be
started even though walls have not been fully completed, or equipment erection may start
without fully completing the shed/ room for the same. Network Analysis can be very handy for
such exercises.
The hypothetical example given here is for a simple project consisting of only a few activities. If
instead, we have a large and complex project, such deviations would lead to a far greater
implication affecting dozens, may be hundreds of activities.
As the project progresses, the following parameters may be measured/ estimated periodically for
the purpose of monitoring and control.
(I) Cost incurred to date- In a network cost system, costs are recorded activity-wise.
Cost incurred to date is the sum of costs for various activities. We can develop a
graph to compare the actual cost with planned cost vis-à-vis time
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(II) Value of work done to date- When costs are measured, an estimate should also be
made of the extent of work completed. The value of work can then be obtained as
below:
Value of work=Budgeted cost X percentage of work completed
(III) Cost over- run/ under- run to date- There is cost over- run when the cost incurred is
more than value of work done. Cost under-run is indicated when value of work done
is more than the cost incurred. Generally, cost over-run/under-run is expressed as
percentage of value of work completed, i.e.
(IV) Time over-run/ under-run to date- This is comparison of actual progress of work
with schedule. Over-run is when project is behind schedule and under-run is when
project is ahead of schedule.
(V)
Generally, for the purpose of showing progress, network of activities is represented in Bar chart
form and progress of each activity is shown against respective bar, as shown below.
A
c
t
i
v
i
t
y
NOTE: Progress shown by solid lines inside respective bars. Percentage progress indicated
in figures alongside each bar.
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It may be noted that, while activities A & B are on course, activity C is behind schedule by 2
weeks (approx 30% progress against schedule of 57%), which results in the revised network
Fig.2.
Based on progress of individual activities, we can assess whether the project is running as per
schedule, behind schedule or ahead of schedule. In the example cited above, the project is just on
course.
The cost and time over-run/under-run can be displayed graphically against time parameter, as
shown below for a hypothetical project
R-RUN
UNDE
COST
%
MONTHS
BEHIND
MONTHS
AHED
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Reporting
Cost and slippage aspects are most vital for project management and need to be kept under
constant watch. Relevant periodic reports, clearly bringing out these aspects, have, therefore, to
be furnished timely to the senior management on a regular basis. The reports should include the
following:
(I) Cost over- run and under- run to date, as explained above.
(II) Projection of total cost over-run and under-run, which can be determined by
comparing the planned or budgeted cost estimate with actual cost to date and adding
the estimated costs to complete the project. The estimated cost to completion may
again vary from the original plan/budget for the remaining work due to factors, which
were not visualized while preparing the plan. So, the plan (budget) had to be carefully
reviewed periodically and reports prepared accordingly.
(IV) Projection of total time over-run/under-run, which is the present expected date of
project completion. This not only takes into account the slippage, which has already
taken place, but also future deviations likely to occur, based on current assessment.
Here also, network analysis is of great help for periodic review and recasting to assess
the impact of the deviations on project completion time.
(V) Final cost report, which gives a summary of the final project costs. A properly
prepared final cost report is a valuable document to guide future estimates. More
often than not, this report tends to get neglected because once the project gets
completed, the team members, relieved of all tensions, prefer to relax.
Apart from the above, various formats to record and report progress for middle and junior
management levels are used. These report deals with activity-wise progress and give a micro-
view of the progress for planning and implementing detailed corrective actions.
CORRECTIVE ACTIONS
Corrective actions, as below, would emanate from the foregoing analysis.
(i) Time over-run- In case of time over-run, we have to review the schedule of
activities, re-examine their inter-dependencies, explore the possibilities of crashing
the activities in critical path, by increasing/re-allocating available resources, draw
revised schedule in an attempt to minimize the slippage. This has to be a continual
process, as indicated in Fig.1 under Project implementation.
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(ii) Cost Over-run- We review the planned/budgeted cost estimates to complete the
project and possibilities of cost reduction of resources to non-critical activities to the
extent possible, reduction in resources considered redundant and other feasible
means.
(iii) Resources constraints- In real life situations, we are sometimes confronted with the
problem of matching the schedule with limited resources, e.g. manpower, funds, etc.
In such a case we reallocated resources to activities, in order of priority, most critical
activity getting the top priority in the matter. The attempt would be to redistribute the
resources without incurring time over-run. If impossible, we would try keep it to the
minimum.
(iv) In the operating cycle effective management requires the designing of a well-
organized cost and control system and its subsequent implementation to obtain
periodic feedback. This will require the following:
(v) An effective control system monitors schedule and performance as well as costs by
setting budgets, measuring expenditures against budgets and identifying variances,
assuring that the expenditures are proper, and taking corrective action when required.
This concept is on the term Work Breakdown structure (WBS), which provides the
framework on which costs, time and schedule/performance can be compared against
the budget for each level of the WBS. This is the source from which all control and
costs must emanate.
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QUIZ
Chapter-7
5. Monitoring is:
a. Assessing progress on tasks.
b. the identification of tasks and their duration
c. Allocating staff to tasks.
d. placing of tasks in order
e. none of the above
6. Your project is executed with a globally spread virtual team. The project
progress has been found to be too slow. Which measure is most likely to
immediately speed up the project?
a. Technical training for all team members
b. Daily phone conferences and detailed reporting
c. A team meeting at a location convenient to all team members
d. Collocation of team members at a suitable place
7. Resourcing is:
a. Allocating staff to tasks.
b. The identification of tasks and their duration
c. Placing of tasks in order.
d. Assessing progress on tasks
e. None of the above
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8. Which of the following is achieving management commitment?
a. New approach to business self-image
b. Active involvement by senior staff
c. Prototyping.
d. Education and training
e. None of the above
11. You are assigned as the project manager to a project which is executed for a
customer under contract. Your customer informed you this morning that they
insist on certain "refinements" of the project scope. You agree that the
requested actions make really sense to the project, but believe that they
constitute a major change increasing the project scope. What should you do
next?
a. Accept the request of the customer. Diligently document the additional costs and
working hours spent by yourself and the team on the implementation of the
change and invoice these to the customer at appropriate rates.
b. Perform Earned Value Analysis to assess the current status of the project and get
all the numbers you need to communicate the case to the Change Control Board
which then will have to make the best decision regarding the customer request.
c. Check the contract, the project charter, the scope statement and other documents
related to the project and the contract. Implement ADR (Alternative Dispute
Resolution) procedures if the conflict cannot be resolved otherwise.
d. Talk to the project sales department and find a joint solution with them how to
best reject the request considering the commercial and strategic value of the
customer to the organization you are working for.
12. There is a tendency to report, “Everything is OK”, when, in fact, they are not
OK.
a. True
b. False
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14. While monitoring the project using network, activities falling on critical path &
those having very little float are closely watched
a. True
b. False
15. As the project progress, the following parameter may be measured/ estimated
periodically for the purpose of monitoring & control
a. Cost incurred to date
b. Value of work done todate
c. Cost over-run/ under-run to date
d. All of the above
16. A project management team is evaluating the causes that might contribute to
unsatisfactory performance and quality. Which of the following statements is not
true?
a. Normal process variation is attributable to random causes and sometimes also
called "white noise".
b. Special causes are easier to predict and handle than random causes (also called
common causes).
c. Special causes are unusual events which are difficult to foresee and often produce
outliers.
d. A process can be optimized to limit the bandwidth of variations due to random
causes.
17. You are performing a project management audit in your company and find that
most of the project plans are neither consistent nor up-to-date. Which of the
following statements is not true?
a. Projects should never be executed without a valid, updated and working project
management plan.
b. The consistency of the project management plan is secondary because it is only
the results that matter.
c. A great deal of effort is required to develop and update a project plan, but the
benefits include less pressure on all stakeholders and a resulting product that will
satisfy the requirements.
d. Poor planning and insufficient updating of project management plans are common
reasons for cost and time overruns.
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18. You are project manager in a global project with a team consisting of people
from various countries. What can you try to prevent misunderstandings due to
cross-cultural differences?
a. Use all communication methods available that are suitable for the team and
follow up in writing when communicating verbally. Remember that cultural and
individual diversity may help project teams solving unforeseen problems during
the course of the project.
b. When you are about to form a team for your project, keep in mind that some
cultures are developed, others are more primitive. Some have values, some not.
You should consequently avoid choosing members from countries with cultures
that are not similar to your own.
c. Cultural dilemmas can prevent any project from being successful. They should
therefore be smoothed or suppressed so as to make sure that they cannot disrupt
project work. Your effort should concentrate on communication that can help
reach that goal.
d. As norms regarding communication habits differ significantly across various
cultures, communicating between people from different countries should only be
done using language. The nonverbal dimension simply bears too many risks.
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TEMPLATES (Indicative)
Project Monitoring
Actual Vs Planned Progress of Project
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Actual Vs Planned Progress of Project
Project Title
Project Manager/Officer
PROJECT DETAILS
Project Name:
Project Manager/Officer:
RISK DETAILS
Risk
Reported By: Name of person who is reporting the risk
Date: Date on which this form is completed
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Risk Description:
Add a brief description of the risk identified and its likely impact on the project (e.g. scope,
resources, deliverables, timescales and/or budgets)
APPROVAL DETAILS
Supporting Documentation:
Reference any supporting documentation used to substantiate this risk
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Project Name:
Description Preventative Actions Contingency A
Project Team Member/Manager:
Date Reported Received Description Description Likelihoo Impact Priority Preventative Action Action Contingenc Action
Task Resource
Reported By By of Risk of Impact d Rating Rating Rating Actions Resource Date y Actions Date
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Project Reporting Form
Project Title:
Project Sponsor: Project Manager:
Headlines
Major Risks and Issues Include an assessment of the impact and any actions taken
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Tasks, Milestones, Outcomes scheduled for next period Completion dates
* RED "Major concern - escalate to the next level” Slippage greater than 10% of remaining time
or budget, or quality severely compromised. Corrective Action not in place, or not
effective. Unlikely to deliver on time to budget or quality requirements
AMBER "Minor concern – being actively managed” Slippage less than 10% of remaining time or
budget, or quality impact is minor. Remedial plan in place.
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Progress Report
Project Name:
Reporting Project
Project owner:
Period: Manager/authority/officer:
RAG Project
Prepared by: Date Prepared: Status Phase:
Financial Statement
Capital Revenue External
Sourc Budg Act Remaini Forec Act Remai Forec Bud Act Remai Forec
e et ual ng ast Source Budget ual ning ast Source get ual ning ast
0 0 0
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Controlling of Project
Project Title
Project Manager/officer
CHANGE REQUEST
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CHANGE EVALUATION
What is affected Work required (resources, costs, dates)
CHANGE IMPLEMENTATION
Asset Implementer Date completed Signature
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