Most of us are accustomed to hearing the word control associated with the phrase “Control Freak,” denoting a person who unfairly manipulates the persons around him or her. It has a sinister connotation attached to it.
However, the term "Control" has a totally different connotation when it comes to software project management.
Here, control is defined as the corrective action, that is taken periodically during project execution, from measuring progress on various aspects of the project and comparing and contrasting actual against the desired progress.
The key terms are:
1. Project Execution – this indicates that Control comes into picture during the Project Execution phase – not in the planning or post delivery phases.
2. Measuring Progress – this indicates that progress of project is measured on various aspects and that the term “Measure” signifies quantitative measurement.
3. Comparing and contrasting with the desired progress – this has two terms –
- Desired Progress – what is desired and who desired it? Targets are set and accepted through estimation, planning, and scheduling.
- Comparing and Contrasting – comparing the actual values achieved with the desired values and coming out with gaps in achievement. There may be no gaps between actual achievement and desired progress. Or, there may be positive gaps, showing that the achievement is better than desired. On the other hand, negative gaps mean that the achievement is worse than the desired progress.
4. Corrective Action – the action that becomes necessary from the gaps unearthed in “comparing and contrasting” activity. Corrective action can be to pump in more resources so that the gaps disappear by the time next measurement takes place or correct the expectations.
5. That is taken periodically – this indicates the measurement, comparing and contrasting, and corrective action takes place during project execution at preset intervals of time.
6. Various Aspects of the Project – these need to be corrected, if necessary. These are –
- Scope
- Cost
- Schedule
- Quality
- Effort
- Productivity
Who would take the corrective action? Normally, the project team and other relevant stakeholders where necessary. Over the course of this series, we'll examine each of these aspects in greater detail.