Schedule Comparison Overview

The Schedule Comparison page enables you to perform schedule variance analysis, a process of comparing one version of your project schedule to another and reviewing any changes between the two. As your project progresses, different stakeholders may add, delete, or edit information. Not only does this process modify the structure of the original project plan, but each update increases the potential for accidental errors or incorrect changes to be introduced into the schedule. Schedule variance analysis enables the schedule owner to ensure the validity and accuracy of all changes to the project schedule.

From the Schedule Comparison page, you can also trigger a process that merges selected activities from the current schedule, a scenario, or a baseline into another version of the schedule.

The two versions of the schedule being compared, and optionally merged into another schedule version, can be a baseline, a scenario, or the current schedule. Typically, the first schedule chosen should be the Source or revised version of the project schedule. The second schedule should be the Comparison or original version of the schedule. After running the comparison process, you can view variance values on items in the project that have been added, deleted, or edited. Items that may show variances include project fields, activities and activity details, relationships, resource assignments, and risks. The application uses the internal database ID when comparing two versions of an activity and its accompanying details. Even if the activity name or ID is changed on the Activities page, the application will compare the activity versions using the internal database ID. When calculating the variance between two project or two activity dates, the application uses the project calendar. If you choose to merge activities into the current schedule, you have the option to create and name a backup in the form of a baseline or a scenario. You can easily access this backup to revert the process if any errors are identified, or if project requirements change.

Schedule variance data is displayed in several areas of the page, each with a distinct purpose. In the table, you can compare the Source schedule, Comparison schedule, and variance values for the field columns you choose to display. In the detail windows, all available variances for a selected activity are broken down into categories. In the Gantt chart, activity bars for both schedules are displayed along a timeline. Finally, a Schedule Variance Analysis panel offers a comprehensive view of all items in the schedule that have been added, deleted, or changed. Some items provide editable thresholds so you can focus on more significant changes to the schedule.

Except for the configuration of view settings, all data on the Schedule Comparison page is read-only. The data that is visible depends on your user permissions. If you do not have the required permissions to view certain data, that data will not display, or it will be replaced with a  Lock icon. For example, cost data is completely hidden for users who do not have the required permissions to view that data. See Security Permissions for Schedule for additional information.