Deltek Acumen Fuse is becoming increasingly popular because of its numerous tools for analyzing schedule quality. Among its many schedule quality inspection features is the Baseline Execution Index (BEI). Here we take a look at the Deltek Acumen Fuse Baseline Execution Index feature.
It’s good project management practice to closely monitor schedule progress. And schedulers have many mechanisms available for reporting progress. In particular, the Earned Value Management (EVM) Schedule Performance Index (SPI) details schedule progress. This metric is a popular way for project managers to gage how well their actuals track their planned schedule. The Defense Contract Management Agency’s (DCMA) BEI Assessment has gained popularity for surveying schedule progress. The BEI ignores minor schedule lapses, but, never-the-less, provides a first alert warning that the schedule is veering off course.
This article details procedures for using Deltek Acumen Fuse Baseline Execution Index.
Below in Figure 1 is our demonstration project.
Figure 1
This Primavera P6 Professional project is has two months of actuals. Because Primavera P6 does not have a BEI variable, we employ Deltek Acumen Fuse schedule quality analysis software to monitor this important metric and measurement of schedule progress.
Before we proceed let’s introduce the DCMA BEI formula. The DCMA EVM Program Analysis Pamphlet (PAP), DCMA-EA PAM 200.1, specifies BEI as follows:
BEIcum = (Total # of Tasks Complete) / (Total # of Tasks Completed Before Now+Total # of Tasks Missing Baseline Finish Date)
The denominator variables may cause some confusion. Restating the denominator in simpler terms the BEI ratio reduces to the following:
BEIcum = (Total # of Tasks Complete) / (Total # of Tasks that Should be Complete)
The BEI metric measures schedule progress or each activity’s completion in relation to the status date. The simplified ratio reads Total # of Tasks Complete by the status date divided by the Total # of Tasks that should be Complete by the status date.
Great! So we’ve clarified the variables in the BEI. We proceed and demonstrate how to extract the schedule BEI using Deltek Acumen analysis software.
In the S1 // Project tab select the Oracle Primavera drop down menu and click ‘single project from a P6 XER file’, Figure 2.
Figure 2
Next, simply select the project in question in the resulting open dialog, Figure 3.
Figure 3
Our demonstration project is Wellmont-15.xer. In the Deltek Acumen Fuse projects dialog, Figure 4, again select the respective project and click OK.
Figure 4
At this juncture we have simply linked the project source file to the workbook in Acumen Fuse. We need to proceed and import the project to load its data into Acumen Fuse, Figure 5.
Figure 5
Once the project is loaded right click on the file and select ‘Assign Baseline’ from the popup menu, Figure 6.
Figure 6
Select the appropriate baseline file, Figure 7.
Figure 7
We select the file ‘Wellmont Baseline.xer’. Now select S2 // Diagnostics, Figure 8, and click the fuse button.
Figure 8
We could also select the home button, Figure 9.
Figure 9
Figure 10 displays the resulting schedule analysis.
Figure 10
BEI is not among the metrics computed in the schedule quality analysis. To retrieve BEI we need to select ‘DCMA 14 Point’, Figure 11.
Figure 11
Again, click Fuse or the Home button and the resulting analysis, including BEI, is displayed in Figure 12.
Figure 12
The BEI computes to 0.82. This matches the BEI we would obtain by counting the Total # of Tasks Complete by the status date and the Total # of Tasks that should be Complete by the status date, and inserting them into the BEI ratio.
BEIcum = 9/11 = 0.82
So the BEI computes to 0.82. This misses the BEI assessment’s allowable threshold of 0.95 or greater. We may want to further inspect our project at this point by calculating the SPI EVM metric.
Summary
Project managers should consider supplementing their Primavera P6 tool with Deltek Acumen Fuse to quickly monitor the schedule BEI. The BEI ratio, again, ignores minor schedule lapses, but provides an early warning indicator that the schedule is coming unhinged. Deltek Acumen Fuse computes BEI for respective imported schedules and an assigned baseline. BEI is among the numerous analyses that come standard in Deltek Acumen Fuse schedule quality analysis software.