Keeping project deadlines and expenditures on track as the project proceeds can be a considerable problem. Microsoft Project's automation features provide useful tools for dynamic scheduling and cost reassessment.
- Automatic Schedule Rescheduling: Microsoft Project automation provides for the automatic rescheduling of activities based on real-time progress updates. When task durations or dependencies change, the schedule can be modified dynamically to provide a current perspective of the project timetable.
- Automated Cost Recalculation: By integrating cost information with the schedule, automation allows for an immediate reconsideration of project costs when schedule changes occur. Delays in key tasks, for example, can result in automated recalculations of labor costs and consequent penalties.
- Streamlined Resource Leveling: The resource leveling procedure can be streamlined using Microsoft Project's automation capabilities. If resources are overallocated, the program can automatically recommend or make changes to task assignments to maximize resource utilization and avoid bottlenecks that could affect both schedule and cost.
- Automatic Reporting: Furthermore, automatic reporting tools can give stakeholders regular updates on schedule adherence and cost performance, emphasizing deviations from the baseline plan and allowing for prompt actions.
In essence, automation in Microsoft Project serves as a powerful tool for keeping a dynamic and realistic perspective of the project's schedule and associated expenditures throughout its lifespan.
