Resource Progress Curves in Primavera P6

This document discusses the features of P6 that currently link the actual and forecast resource
curve, while touching on some of the current shortfalls in managing resources in P6. In depth
coverage of each feature described here-in is beyond the scope of this document.
Displaying a contiguous resource curve linking the actual curve with the remaining curve has
often seemed not possible in P6, due to most P6 teaching occurring only on the Resource
Usage Profile (where this is not possible). This ability is available in P6 using the Activity
Usage Profile or the Tracking feature.
Note that Baseline options are not available in the Resource Usage Profile, only budgeted
values. Budgeted values essentially do not work once you have progress in your schedule.
Question: What is the difference between Budgeted vs. Baseline? They are NOT the same.
Sample Resource Usage Profile

The Remaining Units curve starts at zero (0). Planners would like the actual curve to
link with the remaining curve (like it did in P3).
The Budgeted Units are spread over the activity by the Planned Start and Planned
Finish dates of the activity, which will change when the data date moves (for
activities not-started).
Note: There are no Baseline Units or Baseline Curves available in the Resource
Usage Profile.

Activity Usage Profile

Use the Activity Usage Profile in P6 to view cost or unit values over time according to the
selected timescale. The Activity Usage Profile displays resource allocations for all activities
or for select activities.

This profile can display resource labor, units and costs with periodic vertical bars as well as a
variety of cumulative curves (early, late, baseline, earned value (EV)) for periods based on
the selected timescale.
There are a variety of customization options available. Please read the P6 Help for additional
information or refer to your company P6 Training Manuals.
Sample Activity Usage Profile

Steps
1. Select View > Show on Bottom > Activity Usage Profile (on the toolbar)

2. Periodic amounts are displayed on the left axis, cumulative amounts on the right axis (They
are not customizable)
3. Display the timescale in weeks for best results, unless your data date is the calendar month
end
4. Customize your headers and footers in Print Preview
To customize the activity usage profile options:
Select Display (or right-click in the graph) >

Activity Usage Profile Options:

Steps to create an actual curve linked to a remaining units curve:

Resource load the schedule.
Create and assign a project baseline (allows use of the various Earned Value (EV) unit
options)
In order to get the result desired, you will need to ensure you select the right cumulative
curves.
The Resource Units graph above was created using the following options (For Labor Units):
Baseline Bar
Actual Bar
Actual Cumulative Curve
Remaining Early Bar
Planned Value Labor Units
Estimate at Completion Labor Units
The Remaining Early Curve begins at the data date starting at 0 h (which was not the case in P3). To
get a linked curve, either use the Estimate at Completion Labor Units curve or combine this curve
with the Actual curve to clearly differentiate between historical vs. forecast values.
One option is to show just the curves, without the periodic bars (i.e. just show the curves).

Note: If you remove the bars, some periodic values on the left of the graph will still show, but ignore
them (2, 4, 5, 6, 8 h etc.). Use the cumulative values on the right side of the graph.
General P6 Settings (Activity and Project, use Default WBS Earned Value Settings)

Duration Type = Fixed Duration & Units

Percent Complete Type = Units % Complete
Resources = Driving
Calculations Tab Settings in the Projects Window below:

Tabular Earned Value information in the Activities Table:

Note: The above columns have been renamed in this layout.

Tracking Feature:
Summary information all on one page
Provides resource analysis at the Project or WBS level

Tips:
Avoid using Budgeted Values or Curves once you have progress in the schedule.
If you dont have a baseline, you will be dependent on planned dates (which slide).
Resource Actuals
To more accurately capture resource actuals by period requires using the Financial Periods feature in
P6, otherwise the overall actual curve will be incorrect as its spread over the activity lifetime.
In the company P6 Production & Staging databases, the financial periods are setup to match the
company monthly fiscal period cutoffs. Due to P6 Limitations, there is no ability to have multiple
variations of financial periods in the current version (P6 8.2). The number of periods is limited and
cannot overlap.
The cumulative individual actual resource curve for each resource is adjusted every time the data date
is moved until the resource is complete. The actual resource curve is spread based on the resource
curve assigned, just like the forecast curve is spread. The cumulative curve is a sum of the parts.
The actual units are not stored, by default, by any period, but distributed based on the resource curve
assigned (from the resource start date through the data date to the resource finish date.
This means the actual periodic amounts will be adjusted over the lifetime of the activity duration, as
new actuals (earned) are recorded for a resource assignment. This will affect the historical resource
curves, as they are a rollup of all the activities resource assignments, distributed by the percentages
allocated to the assigned resource curve.
In Summary, do not rely on the accuracy of the historical progress data shown in P6. In order to

achieve more accurate historical data, store the periodic units in the financial periods feature in P6.
The forecast bars and curves are accurate, but only the historical baseline or PV curve is accurate, not
the actual curve.
Resource assignment (historical) with no curve (linear by default)

Activity Usage Profile with a linear curve

Same Resource assignment with curve added

Note the significant adjustment of the actual units histogram and curve

Same Activity Usage Profile with a bell-shaped curve (same data as above)

While the graphics in P6 are limited, particularly with customization capabilities, they do save time
versus customizing graphs in excel.
It is important, prior to proceeding down a P6 resource management path, to ensure that each
Projects understanding of the abilities of P6 are correct, prior to over-committing and underdelivering.
It is often seen that planners and projects embark on a complex path, without testing if the
software will support the requirements.