White Paper Library
-
Achieving the Unachievable: Aligning a Project with Stakeholder Expectations
This white paper walks through a case study on a major capital expenditure project that was able to achieve a faster, risk-adjusted, and still achievable schedule using a combination of schedule and risk analytics based on Acumen's S1>S5 schedule maturity framework.
Download Achieving the Unachievable: Aligning a Project with Stakeholder Expectations -
Faster, Yet Less Risky Projects through Goal-Based Schedule Acceleration
This white paper introduces a new technique for accelerating project schedules that goes beyond 'network crashing' and generates achievable acceleration scenarios for informed decision support.
Download Faster, Yet Less Risky Projects through Goal-Based Schedule Acceleration -
Does Better Scheduling Drive Execution Success?
This white paper outlines the statistics that support the relationship between better schedules and better execution. Based on an ongoing research study conducted by Acumen, this paper is the hard proof of a need for better planning across all industries.
Download Does Better Scheduling Drive Execution Success? -
Baseline Compliance Analysis
Baseline Compliance Analysis: A True Measure of Project Performance-- This white paper covers a new approach to tracking project performance which identifies variance gaps between the baseline plan and actual performance for the project as a whole as well as specific deliverables, contractors, locations, or any other group of activities.
Download Baseline Compliance Analysis -
Benchmarking Project Schedules
Benchmarking project schedules is a powerful means of managing and validating projects, programs and portfolios. This paper introduces benchmarking as a concept that not only helps provide a framework and a repeatable approach to developing structurally sound schedules (based upon accepted Critical Path/CPM techniques), but equally importantly, bring realism to the schedule with regards to estimated durations, required resources and forecasted rates of execution.
Download Benchmarking Project Schedules -
A Fresh Take on Project Forensics
In a perfect scenario, the need for either owner or contractor driven claims arguably wouldn't arise. If the baseline or "as-planned" schedule was both highly accurate in its execution forecast and then precisely adhered to during execution, without interference or change, then post-execution disputes would be moot. However, in reality, this is rarely the case. This paper introduces a technique that helps with determining root cause of project delays resulting in claims.
Download A Fresh Take on Project Forensics -
Improving Project Plans using a Schedule Maturity Framework
This paper introduces a 5 step schedule maturity framework (S1>S5) that is designed to provide a structured and repeatable approach to developing sound and realistic project plans.
Download Improving Project Plans using a Schedule Maturity Framework -
An Alternate Approach to Cost and Schedule Integration
Creating and maintaining an integrated cost and schedule model is often seen as challenging at best, and at worst, simply not worth the effort. Eliminating the need for a common WBS or CBS, this latest white paper describes how effective cost/schedule integration can be achieved by adopting an alternate approach. Once established, such integration provides a basis for intelligent schedule acceleration, cost reduction, and risk mitigation.
Download An Alternate Approach to Cost and Schedule Integration -
Improved Schedule Risk Analysis (SRA) through Metric Assessment
This paper discusses the importance of establishing a sound schedule basis and ensuring valid risk inputs so as to generate an accurate and realistic schedule risk model. A technique for ensuring both of these criteria is discussed using specific metrics targeted at risk model validation.
Download Improved Schedule Risk Analysis (SRA) through Metric Assessment -
Taming an Unruly Schedule with the 14 Point Schedule Assessment
This paper discusses why the emerging 14 Point Schedule Assessment, developed by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), is fast becoming an established standard within the scheduling community across multiple industries.
Download Taming an Unruly Schedule with the 14 Point Schedule Assessment -
Why Scheduling Mustn't be Allowed to Become an Extinct Science
The need for third party assistance with schedule analysis and risk assessments has dramatically increased over the past year, despite the increasingly powerful software tools available to planners, schedulers and estimators. Acumen's white paper, "Why Scheduling Mustn't be Allowed to Become an Extinct Science" focuses on the keys to successful planning and then subsequently "working this plan" to improve project scheduling and overcome the two root causes of project failure.
Download Why Scheduling Mustn't be Allowed to Become an Extinct Science -
Measuring Risk Exposure through Risk Range Certainty (RRC)
Our latest white paper on how to overcome the challenges of project risk exposure reporting. Introducing a new, more meaningful risk metric, Risk Range Certainty (RRC).
Download Measuring Risk Exposure through Risk Range Certainty (RRC) -
Project Simplification through Metric Analysis
A white paper on the benefits of using project metrics to analyze the health and quality of your projects. In addition, this paper introduces the patented approach of project ribbons for simplified project slice and dice reporting.
Download Project Simplification through Metric Analysis -
The Art and Science Behind Successful Risk Workshops
This paper discusses how a well-structured balance of risk process combined with sound workshop facilitation can provide more value to a project’s bottom line than most typically ever realize. Imagine a silver bullet that enableds you to objectively determine accurate project costs; contingency; strategic insight into which projects should be considered portfolio inclusion; and how realistic a project plan is. Sound too good to be true? Read on…
Download The Art and Science Behind Successful Risk Workshops -
Performing an EVMS Self Validation
Many projects fall short at the DCMA review. This paper describes the benefit of conducting an EVMS Self Validation as part of your project process to better ensure that you are aligned with EVMS best practices that will ultimately drive your project success.
Download Performing an EVMS Self Validation -
The Sport of Project Review
This paper describes the value of, and the processes behind, project reviews. Focusing on what is known as Integrated Baseline Reviews (IBR's), the paper describes how to best prepare for an IBR and how to get the most benefit out of this exercise.
Download The Sport of Project Review
