PMP Certification: Control Schedule (based on PMBOK® Guide, 6th Edition)


  • WHAT Control Schedule Is. Control Schedule implies keeping all of the documents elaborated during the Develop Schedule process up to date and turning work performance data into work performance information.
  • WHY Control Schedule Is Important. In the Control Schedule process, a project manager determines the current schedule status of the project and responds appropriately to any observed and measured variance.
  • WHEN Control Schedule Is Executed. A project manager uses the Control Schedule process until all project activities are completed, that is until the end of the project life.

pmp 2018 pmp certification control schedule pmbok guide 6th edition tipsographic main

Control Schedule 101

What Does Control Schedule Involve and When Do You Perform It in a Project Life Cycle?


  • WHAT Control Schedule Is. Control Schedule implies keeping all of the documents elaborated during the Develop Schedule process up to date and turning work performance data into work performance information.
  • WHY Control Schedule Is Important. In the Control Schedule process, a project manager determines the current schedule status of the project and responds appropriately to any observed and measured variance.
  • WHEN Control Schedule Is Executed. A project manager uses the Control Schedule process until all project activities are completed, that is until the end of the project life.
  • HOW Control Schedule Operates.
InputsTools and techniquesOutputs
  1. Project management plan
    • Schedule management plan
    • Schedule baseline
    • Scope baseline
    • Performance measurement baseline
  2. Project documents
    • Lessons learned register
    • Project calendars
    • Project schedule
    • Resource calendars
    • Schedule data
  3. Work performance data
  4. Organizational process assets
  1. Data analysis
    • Earned value analysis
    • Iteration burndown chart
    • Performance reviews
    • Trend analysis
    • Variance analysis
    • What-if scenario analysis
  2. Critical path method
  3. Project management information system
  4. Resource optimization
  5. Leads and lags
  6. Schedule compression
  1. Work performance information
  2. Schedule forecasts
  3. Change requests
  4. Project management plan updates
    • Schedule management plan
    • Schedule baseline
    • Cost baseline
    • Performance measurement baseline
  5. Project documents updates
    • Assumption log
    • Basis of estimates
    • Lessons learned register
    • Project schedule
    • Resource calendars
    • Risk register
    • Schedule data

Source: PMBOK® Guide, 6th ed., Chapter 6, section 6.6, p. 222.

Control Schedule Key Terms

pmp certification 2018 study guide free online preparation tipsographicWhat Are the Key Terms to Fully Understand the Process of  Controlling Schedule?


  • Schedule Forecasts. The updated projections of future performance based on actual performance.
  • Work Performance Data. The raw data about how the project is progressing related to the schedule; e.g., implementation of change requests, preventive actions taken, percent of work actually completed, and so on.
  • Work Performance Information. The processed work performance data, changed from raw data into reports that can be used to make project decisions; e.g., status of the deliverables, lessons learned, forecasted completion dates, and so on.

Control Schedule Tips

What Are the Best Tips to Answer Correctly the PMP Cerification Exam Questions on Control Schedule Process?


  • Odds of Fast-Track and Crashing. Crashing is expensive and fast-tracking is risky. They might work sometimes but they always add both risk and cost to the project.
  • Schedule Change Vs. Schedule Revision Vs. Schedule Update.
    • A schedule change must be approved via the Perform Integrated Change Control process.
    • A schedule revision, such as a change to the start and finish dates within an activity’s float, does not impact the baseline schedule.
    • A schedule update enters status into a project schedule.

Click here for a detailed analysis of each project management process group and knowledge area.

SOURCES: Project Management Institute (2017). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide). 6th ed. Newtown Square: Project Management Institute. Project Management Institute (2016)

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