Control Schedule Outputs You Should Know for the PMP Certification Exam
The outputs for this process that you should know for the PMP Certification Exam are similar to those for the Control Scope process. The Control Schedule process includes schedule forecasts, but other than that, the differences lie in the types of data:
Work performance information is usually earned value (EV) numbers for schedule variance and the schedule performance index (SPI).
Change requests have to do with preventive and corrective actions to bring schedule performance in line with the baseline, or requesting a change to the schedule.
Components of the project management plan that you could update include the schedule baseline, the schedule management plan, and the cost baseline.
Project documents that could be updated include the schedule and the schedule data.
Organizational process asset updates are based on causes of schedule variances.
Work performance information for the Control Schedule process can be easily abused to hide schedule variances. For example, if a team member is behind on a project activity but he plans to work overtime to catch up, he might not disclose that the activity is behind because he thinks he can correct it before anyone finds out.
Another example is if an activity takes more effort than was forecast but the duration is not impacted by this extra effort, a team member may report that the original effort was sufficient. To avoid this type of behavior, you need to have clear reporting expectations in your schedule management plan.
Schedule forecasts predict future performance based on past performance and knowledge about upcoming events and risks that could impact future performance. Forecasts may be substantiated by using EV calculations as well.
The following honesty standards from the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct relate to work performance measurements:
We are truthful in our communications and in our conduct.
We provide accurate information in a timely manner.
We do not engage in or condone behavior that is designed to deceive others, including but not limited to, making misleading or false statements, stating half-truths, or providing information out of context or withholding information that, if known, would render our statements as misleading or incomplete.