FAQs

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  1. What is Fuse? Acumen Fuse is a metric analysis and visualization tool assessing schedule, cost, risk and project performance.
  2. Am I limited to the included Industry Standard Metrics? No. In addition to the 250+ included metrics, you can edit and create your own metrics to suit your needs.
  3. Can I vary the tripwire thresholds? Yes. All metric tripwire thresholds can be edited. There is no limit to the number of thresholds per metric. Thresholds can be based on either absolute or percentage-based results.
  4. Can I analyze more than one project? Yes. You can analyze either a single project or an unlimited number of projects within a single workbook. Projects from different platforms can be analyzed in the same workbook.
  5. Can I compare the performance of my project over time? Yes. This can be done using a project baseline or by comparing multiple snapshots of a project (e.g., monthly updates).
  6. What is a ribbon analysis? It is the first of three types of analysis included in Fuse. Advanced slice and dice analysis is achieved through a unique visualization approach using Fuse ribbons. Ribbons can be generated by activity fields and custom attributes. Once the data is grouped into ribbons, analysis can be conducted against each ribbon. This provides a means of comparing the likes of WBS elements, locations, disciplines, network paths etc.
  7. What is a Phase analysis? Phase analysis is conducted against a specific segment of time (e.g., month, quarter). Phase analysis cuts across multiple ribbons. It is a time-based analysis.
  8. What is an intersection analysis? Intersection analysis is the combination of a ribbon and phase analysis. For a specific ribbon, within a specific phase, a Fuse analysis is conducted to pinpoint specific exceptions. This is the most detailed type of analysis.
  9. Can I compare results? Yes. Fuse includes a powerful comparison feature that enables you to compare any two sets of results (e.g., metric 1 V metric 2 or metric 1 for phase A and B) and report both the similarities and the differences.
  10. How do I analyze a particular network path? Fuse includes a path analyzer that allows you to calculate all paths between any two given activities/milestones. This in turn enables you to Fuse analyze any paths within your project network without having to manually determine those paths.
  11. Do I have to have the scheduling tool installed on my PC to run a Fuse analysis? It depends on the scheduling tool. You can analyze P6, Primavera Risk Analysis, MS Project, and Cobra X12 data without having the respective tools installed. To analyze Open Plan schedules, you do need to have the tool installed.
  12. How is Fuse different to other Metric analysis tools? Fuse is unique in the way it slices and dices data through the use of ribbons. Rather than just analyzing a project as a whole, Fuse enables you to analyze by any grouping (through a ribbon) and by any time segment (through a phase). Further, you can apply metrics far beyond basic schedule checks and can create custom metrics to suit specific needs.
  13. Will I need IT support to install Fuse? Fuse installation does not require complex or involved IT support. It is installed from a web-based installer and requires no database back end, middle tier or complex implementation.
  14. How do I receive product updates? Product updates are offered automatically through the internet.
  15. Can I analyze data other than project management ? Yes. Fuse includes a very flexible field mapping utility that can be used to link to data in MS Excel. Data does not have to be directly linked to project management. In fact, any type of data can be imported into Fuse for analysis. Likewise, metrics pertaining to disciplines outside of project management can also be created.
  16. What do the color shapes inside the ribbons mean? The shapes represent activities. Blue shapes represent non critical activities and red shapes represent critical activities. Diamonds represent milestones, rectangles at the bottom represent normal activities and rectangles at the top represent summaries.
  17. How do I see the activities that are triggering the metrics? Clicking on the metric result will show the activities that are triggering the metric in the activity browser.
  18. How can I exclude activities from the metric analysis? After you add a project to a workbook and before you import, you can filter the activities that you want to import by clicking the Filters button in the toolbar. You can also set the start and finish time of a ribbon view to time now, project start or end or to a particular date.
  19. What happens when there are multiple projects with different calendars in the same workbook? Nothing. The date, duration and work information integrity is kept.
  20. How many activities can be analyzed or imported at the same time? In theory this number is unlimited. Fuse has been stress-tested with multiple projects with tens of thousands of activities.
  21. Can I save my own customized ribbon view? Yes. Once you create your own ribbon view or modify an existing one, this information will be saved once you save the workbook.
  22. How much does it cost? We are happy to provide pricing information for Acumen Fuse. Click Here to recieve a price quote.
  23. Is Fuse a scheduling tool? No, Fuse is not a CPM scheduling tool and is not designed to replace tools such as MS Project or Primavera P6.  Instead, Fuse is an add-on application to scheduling tools providing insight into schedule shortcomings and flaws.  Use Fuse with a scheduling tool to enhance the quality of your schedules as well as to gain unique insight into performance during execution.
  24. Is Fuse a risk analysis tool? Fuse is not a Monte Carlo risk analysis tool or a risk register tool.  Instead, Fuse analyzes the quality of risk models developed in tools such as Primavera Risk Analysis/Pertmaster ensuring your risk models are as accurate as possible; it helps you build sound risk models.  In a similar manner, Fuse analyzes the results from a Monte Carlo simulation carried out in a risk tool to give a slice-and-dice insight into the risk exposure of your project. 
  25. I accidently deleted a Ribbon View (metric tab at the bottom of the Analysis screen).  How do I get it back?  To restore a deleted Ribbon View you must recreate it – this is the same as adding in a new Ribbon View.  From the Analysis tab, right-click on any metric tab at the bottom of the screen.  Select ‘Add New Ribbon View’.  A new, blank Ribbon View will be added to the right side of the metric tabs.  Right-click on the new Ribbon View and select ‘Rename’.  Change the name to the deleted Ribbon View.  With this Ribbon View selected, slide out the metric add panel by hovering the mouse over the 'Metric' button in the upper left-hand corner of the screen.  Highlight the metric group that was deleted; right-click on the group; select ‘Add to Ribbon and Phase Analyzers’.  With the metrics added, the deleted Ribbon View is restored.
  26. Is there a User’s Guide available for Fuse?  Yes, the User’s Guide can be found at:  http://www.projectacumen.com/fuse/information/downloads/.  There is also a Metric Development Guide, a Metrics list, a Quick Start Guide, and an API User Guide available.
  27. Is there a printed list of the Metrics included in Fuse?  Yes, the Metrics List can be found at:  http://www.projectacumen.com/fuse/information/downloads/.  There is also a User’s Guide, a Metric Development Guide, a Quick Start Guide, and an API User Guide available. 
  28. Is there more information about the API (Application Programming Interface)?  Yes, the API User Guide can be found at:  http://www.projectacumen.com/fuse/information/downloads/.  There is also a Fuse User’s Guide, a Metrics list, a Metric Development Guide, and a Quick Start Guide available.
  29. Is there a Quick Start Guide for Fuse?  Yes, the Quick Start Guide can be found at:  http://www.projectacumen.com/fuse/information/downloads/.  There is also a User’s Guide, a Metrics list, a Metric Development Guide, and an API User’s Guide available.
  30. I drilled down into a particular ribbon and can’t remember how to get back to the top grouping level.  Click on the ‘house’ button in the upper left corner of the Ribbon Viewer and then click on the Projects button in the Ribbon section of the menu bar.
  31. My Timeline View is not showing all the activities that I wanted to see. Why not?  The activities displayed in the Timeline View are selected in the Table View on the Projects tab.  It is necessary to click 'Deselect All' in the Table View in order to ‘release’ the previously selected activities.  The next set of activities can be identified using filters.  Click 'Select All' and Timeline View to see the new set of activities.