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Review schedule variance and SPI

Use the Schedule Variance widget to understand whether your programme is ahead or behind schedule, review trend performance, and compare baseline and forecast completion dates.

Audience

This guide is designed for project manager.

Steps​

Step 1: Locate the Schedule Variance widget on the dashboard​

Open the PlanOps dashboard and scroll to the programme section until you see the Schedule Variance widget card, which shows the Schedule Performance Index (SPI) and schedule status.

Locate the Schedule Variance widget on the dashboard

Step 2: Check the overall SPI status​

Look at the SPI value and status label at the top of the widget (for example, “Ahead of Schedule”, “On Schedule”, or “Behind Schedule”) to quickly understand overall schedule health.

Check the overall SPI status

Step 3: Review the variance trend sparkline​

Examine the small trend chart within the widget to see how schedule variance has changed over recent reporting periods, noting any upward or downward trends.

Review the variance trend sparkline

Step 4: Compare baseline and forecast completion dates​

In the dates section of the widget, compare the baseline completion date against the current forecast completion date to understand how far the programme has shifted from the original plan.

Compare baseline and forecast completion dates

Step 5: Assess activities ahead, behind, and on schedule​

Review the counts of activities ahead of schedule, behind schedule, and on schedule to identify where the main schedule risks or opportunities are concentrated.

Assess activities ahead, behind, and on schedule

Step 6: Refresh the widget data​

Use the widget’s refresh control (if available in your layout) to reload the latest schedule variance data from the source system before making reporting or planning decisions.

Refresh the widget data

Last updated: 2026-02-02