Captain's Log Entry 7827.3—Sometimes a late project finish is unthinkable. Project managers can apply process control methods to project tracking to help avoid a late finish. Process control for the project provides (1) Early warning of a likely late finish, (2) up-to-the-minute comparisons of actual progress with planned progress, and (3) visual updates on schedule gains and losses, easily understood by everyone.

The process control project progress chart (also known as a Schmidt Chart) is similar to statistical process control charts for manufacturing quality control. Because the chart puts current performance into historical context, everyone with an interest in the project can see immediately how actual progress compares to the original plan. Read more of this post