Page 257 - Global Project Management Handbook

12-18 COMPETENCY FACTORS IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Digital Photos and E-mail
Since travel to site locations was difficult, it was common for project managers to get
project status reports via e-mail with digital up-to-date project photos attached. This
worked well, was simple, and led to the easy creation of digitized project records.

Stoplight Codes
A paperless environment made possible the full use of color. That is, there was no
need to worry about losing color when reports were copied, and all computer monitors
were color. This allowed the extensive use of stoplight codes in all reports, that is, red
shading or color to indicate a problem, yellow to indicate a potential issue, and green
to indicate that things are progressing per plan.
The following sample reports illustrate the use of stoplight codes:

● Figure 12.6, Sample Project Chart. For every major project, a project chart was
maintained to report on progress versus plan for scope, schedule, and budget.
● Figure 12.7, Sample Construction Project Started/Planed Summary. This was a report
that was used heavily in executive meetings held during the last part of 2004.
● Figure 12.8, Sample Project Status Summary Report. Using mostly this chart coupled
with some project charts (see Fig. 12.6), it was possible to review the status of over 100
projects in a given sector in one hour with management. This report was developed by
Joe Riccio and was referred to as a “Riccio chart.”
● This book is a great example of the downside to paper based reports; that is, with paper,
you are often limited to black and white. Thus Figs. 12.6, 12.7 and 12.8 really do not
illustrate color based stoplight codes.

BH-003 Design & construct primary healthcare centers
Sector = buildings, health & education D/B Cont = parsons As of= 6 December 04
SPCO program manager SPCOC project manager

Scope - Design and build 150 PHC’s distributed
across 18 governorates with one basic design.

Schedule:
Construction start = 23 October 04
Estimated const. finish = 30 December 05
Budget/costs:
Program cost = $236 Mil
Project cost = $161 Mil
Current activity:
- 34 sites under construction
- 148 sites identified, 2 unidentified
- 200+ personnel employed
Current issues:
- Working with MoH to confirm 44 sites with legal and
site issues
- Labor/material cost increases may reduce program
to 135 PHC’s
Looking ahead:
- 46 sites to start in December
Al Basrah site
FIGURE 12.6 Sample project chart.