April is Math Awareness Month, so it seems appropriate that two of this month’s articles invite us to think about number crunching. As Larry True enumerates in this month’s project control fundamentals article, cost tracking and cost controls involve more than just making sure the bottom line yields a profit. If the current mode of operation doesn’t work, it’s time to change the formula, he says.

Gordon Aronson points out that fudging an activity’s start and finish dates and the associated costs in CPM software can yield a plethora of headaches for the scheduler trying to reconcile the flow of money. He suggests two ways to satisfy discrepancies and placate the scheduler.

If math just isn’t your thing, Christopher Bryant of Warner’s Disputes Resolution Group looks at the pros and cons of retained logic and progress override as they relate to scheduling consistencies.

And finally, John Jurewicz interviewed key personnel from Bovis Lend Lease’s Chicago office to see how its switch to a Web-based collaboration portal has improved workplace communication and undoubtedly eased office stress. After all, April is also Workplace Conflict Awareness Month.

By Larry True
To a project manager just starting out, cost tracking and cost controls may seem like redundant activities. Larry True removes all doubt in this look at the differences and necessities of each.

By John Jurewicz of ASPTIP.COM
Bovis Lend Lease recently transitioned to Meridian’s Web-based collaboration portal, Prolog. John Jurewicz interviewed key players to find out what made the move successful for the construction management firm.

By Christopher R. Bryant
As part of a continuing series on critical path method scheduling, Warner’s Christopher Bryant reviews the advantages and disadvantages of retained logic and progress override in scheduling management.

By Gordon H. Aronson
Checking off an activity before it gets the official stamp of approval will cause problems with CPM software. Gordon Aronson offers three ways to address the discrepancies in P3 and one in Primavera Engineering and Construction.

Here’s a look at recent items in the news.