Tracking Progress Throughout The Consulting Process

I’m a firm believer that regular check-ins are the key to project success. Are you checking in enough? Ever been part of a project that suddenly veered off track without warning? You’re not alone. The truth is, projects rarely fail because of one big mistake; they fail because of small issues that go unnoticed until it's too late. That’s where regular check-ins come in. When I was managing projects with multiple suppliers, we established a game-changing routine: monthly supplier progress review meetings. Each supplier would submit reports highlighting all open items, supported by a three-month rolling KPI for each. This simple process was a game changer for four key reasons: 1️⃣ Proactive Problem-Solving: Instead of scrambling to fix issues at the last minute, we could see which items were stalling and tackle them head-on before they became bigger problems. It wasn’t just about reacting; it was about staying ahead. 2️⃣ Accountability & Transparency: Regular check-ins meant everyone knew their performance was being monitored. Suppliers had a clear platform to raise concerns, and we could address them collaboratively. It drove accountability and created a culture of transparency. 3️⃣ Stronger Partnerships: Communication isn’t just about managing; it’s about connecting. These monthly sessions allowed us to build trust and work together as true partners, not just client and supplier. Problems were solved faster, and relationships grew stronger. 4️⃣ Continuous Improvement: With regular data and feedback, we could spot patterns and make adjustments. We weren’t just tracking progress; we were optimizing it. Over time, this approach led to significant improvements and fewer roadblocks. Consistent communication, like these check-ins, can be the lifeline of any project. It keeps everyone aligned, proactive, and focused on solutions. So, whether you’re managing suppliers, a team, or an entire organization, don’t underestimate the power of regular, open dialogue. How do you keep projects on track? Drop your thoughts below, and follow me for more insights on leadership, contract management, and strategic collaboration. #Leadership #ProjectManagement #TeamCollaboration #SupplierManagement #ContinuousImprovement #CommunicationMatters

Have you ever thought about tracking progress directly on the scope in Primavera P6 Cloud? In my recent projects, I've been focusing more on measuring progress against scope rather than just time or cost. When your WBS is aligned with the contract deliverables, you can monitor how much of the actual work is done—not just how long it's taken. Here’s how I track scope progress in Primavera P6 EPPM (Cloud version): 🔹 1. Align the WBS with contractual scope Each WBS level reflects a specific deliverable or component of work. 🔹 2. Enable WBS Summary Activities These automatically roll up progress from lower-level activities. 🔹 3. Set % Complete Type to ‘Physical’ This allows for manual, more accurate progress entry based on real deliverables. 🔹 4. Add WBS-level milestones Helps in monitoring progress checkpoints tied to specific scopes. 🔹 5. Update Physical % Complete periodically I typically base this on field reports, inspection logs, or earned value calculations. 🔹 6. Visualize scope progress Using the P6 dashboard or integrated visuals in Power BI gives stakeholders real-time clarity. 💡 Bonus tip: Scope % complete can also be automated using formulas or field data integration to reduce manual effort. #Primavera #P6 #Scheduling #Consulting #Scope Learn more https://lnkd.in/gMYUqyDf

If you don’t measure progress, you’re just hoping for the best. That's why when I hear: "Diane, how do we know the contractor is actually doing what they said they’d do?” I'm not surprised. That’s one of the most common questions I get from owner’s reps. And it came up again on a recent call. “They submit the schedule every month… but are they following it? We’re not sure.” It’s a valid concern. Especially when a delay could cost thousands (or millions) of dollars. That’s why part of our consulting work includes answering exactly that. Here’s how we do it: ✅ We conduct a technical review of the updates ✅ We overlay planned vs actual work, side by side ✅ We use visuals (Gantt charts, simple timelines) so the team doesn’t have to dig through raw data And if something wasn’t executed as planned? We dig deeper to understand why. No guesswork. Just a clear picture of what’s happening and what it means for the project timeline. — When you're reviewing progress, how do you track planned vs actual? PS. In one of my past posts, schedulers mentioned everything from S-curves to P6 comparison tools to out-of-sequence tracking. There’s no one right method but the important thing is having a method at all. If you’re open to sharing yours, I’d love to hear it.

In CQV projects, what gets tracked gets done. But what gets tracked in five different places? That gets lost. In a recent project, the weekly updated PQ Schedule became the single source of truth. It didn’t just help us see progress - it helped us drive it. Here’s what that experience reinforced: ✅ Centralized tracking isn’t optional. Whether you use Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, or a shared master tracker - what matters is one unified view of progress, milestones, and risks. ✅ Define meaningful KPIs. Track what matters: ● Protocols drafted ● Executed and reviewed ● Approved and closed out ✅ Report regularly and visually. Your dashboard should answer three questions: 1️⃣ Where are we now? 2️⃣ What’s behind? 3️⃣ What’s next? Because in large-scale C&Q projects, decentralized tracking creates confusion, missed dependencies, and finger-pointing. One source of truth. One rhythm of reporting. That’s how you maintain momentum. 💬 What’s your go-to method for CQV progress tracking? #CQV #Validation #ProjectManagement #GMPCompliance #Smartsheet #MicrosoftProject #ExecutionExcellence #LifeSciences #Ellab #TemperatureMatters #TrackingTools #ProjectControls