PM Compass provides a process to send a completed Explanation of Variance form for approval. The Project Cost Administrator (PCA) creates an Explanation of Variance and starts the workflow steps. The Explanation of Variance is manually created by the Project Cost Administrator (PCA) or is automatically generated via a schedule set up on the Scheduling tab of Workflow Type Configuration for every control account where a metric has exceeded its threshold and the Use Schedule Auto-Creation check box is selected in the Thresholds tab of the project Form View.
This table describes the workflow steps for an Explanation of Variance:
Step |
Description |
In-progress Status |
Completed Status |
1 |
The Explanation of Variance goes to the Cost Account Manager (CAM) to enter narrative explanations. The CAM is given three days to complete this step. |
In Review |
Approved |
2 |
The Explanation of Variance goes back to the PCA for approval. The PCA is given two days to complete this step. If the Explanation of Variance is rejected, it returns to the first step. |
In Review |
Approved |
3 |
The Explanation of Variance goes to the Integrated Project Team (IPT) Lead or Project Manager (PM) for approval. The IPT Lead or PM is given two days to complete this step. If the Explanation of Variance is rejected, it returns to the first step. |
In Approval |
Approved |
The Update Source action updates the control account with the information found in the editable source fields.
In Deltek Cobra, you can verify the updated fields by opening the project and accessing the note on the control account, with the Category field set to Explain Variance.
The Publish action changes the workflow status to Published making it easy for it to be included in a dashpart.
This table describes the notifications related to the workflow steps:
Step |
When the workflow starts |
If the person responsible for the step cannot complete it before the due date |
If the Explanation of Variance is rejected |
1 |
The CAM receives a notification |
PM Compass sends a reminders via an email message and a dashboard alert. The reminders are sent after every 3 days. The CAM's manager receives an email message 3 days after the due date. |
|
2 |
The PCA receives a notification |
PM Compass sends a reminder via an email message and a dashboard alert. These reminders are sent after every 3 days. The PCA's manager receives an email 3 days after the due date. |
The CAM receives a notification. |
3 |
The IPT Lead or PM receives a notification |
PM Compass sends a reminder via an email message and a dashboard alert. These reminders are sent after every 3 days. The IPT Lead's or PM's manager is sent an email 3 days after the due date |
The PCA receives a notification. |
Automatically create Explanation of Variances