Draft Monitor Control Schedule Baseline
PMBOK v8 Definition
Monitor and Control Schedule is the process of monitoring the status of the project to update the project schedule and managing changes to the agreed-upon schedule. This process belongs to the Monitoring and Controlling Process Group and is part of the Schedule Management Knowledge Area. A draft schedule is used before approval as a baseline to identify conflicts with logical relationships and determine if resource leveling is required. The approved schedule baseline can only be changed through the Assess and Implement Changes process by applying integrated change control.
Why It Matters for the Exam
The PMI exam frequently tests your understanding of when a schedule becomes a baseline, how changes are managed, and the distinction between monitoring (data collection) versus controlling (corrective actions). Expect questions in process identification scenarios, change control situations, and tool application where you must determine the correct next step in schedule management.
Key Points to Remember (for the exam)
- Main Purpose: Monitor status of project schedule + manage changes to agreed-upon schedule
- Key Input: Project schedule (draft or baseline), schedule data, resource calendars, risk register, lessons learned register, basis of estimates
- Key Output: Updated project schedule, change requests, work performance information, schedule forecasts
- Critical Rule: Any change to the schedule baseline or agreed-upon schedule can only be approved through the Assess and Implement Changes process by applying integrated change control
- Common Confusion: Monitoring = collecting, measuring, assessing data → Controlling = determining corrective/preventive actions, replanning, following up on action plans
- Key Activities: Determining schedule status, influencing factors creating schedule changes, reconsidering schedule reserves, determining if overall schedule has changed, managing actual changes
- Tool Focus: Schedule compression techniques, what-if scenario analysis, resource leveling, schedule network analysis
Typical PMI Exam Example
You are managing a construction project. During a status review, you discover that critical path activities are two weeks behind schedule. The project sponsor requests an immediate schedule revision to meet the original completion date. What should you do FIRST?
Correct response: Evaluate the schedule status, determine if corrective actions are possible through schedule compression (crashing or fast-tracking), and if a baseline change is needed, submit a change request through integrated change control.
PMI Exam Traps
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Trap: Confusing "draft schedule" with "schedule baseline"
- Reality: A draft schedule is preliminary and can be adjusted; a schedule baseline is approved and requires formal change control
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Trap: Thinking schedule updates can be done without formal approval
- Reality: Any change to the agreed-upon schedule baseline requires integrated change control via Assess and Implement Changes
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Trap: Assuming monitoring and controlling are the same activity
- Reality: Monitoring = collecting data and assessing trends; Controlling = taking corrective/preventive actions and replanning
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Trap: Applying rigid change control to adaptive/agile projects
- Reality: Change control formality is more rigid for predictive approaches, more flexible or nonexistent for adaptive/agile projects
Important PMI Connections
| Related Concept | Relationship Type | Exam Attention Point |
|---|---|---|
| Develop Schedule | Predecessor process | Draft schedule becomes baseline after approval; resource estimates influence schedule acceptance |
| Assess and Implement Changes | Formal change control | Only this process can approve schedule baseline changes |
| Monitor and Control Project Work | Complementary process | Both involve evaluating performance against plan, tracking resources, budget, work completed |
| Resource Calendars | Input to Monitor and Control Schedule | Resource availability affects schedule updates and corrective actions |
Quick Review Questions
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What is the FIRST step when a schedule baseline change is needed during project execution?
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How does the level of change control formality differ between predictive and adaptive/agile approaches?
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What is the difference between "monitoring" and "controlling" in the context of schedule management?
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Which process can approve changes to the agreed-upon schedule baseline?
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What factors influence whether a draft schedule is considered acceptable before becoming a baseline?
PMBOK v8 Reference
Section 2.3.2.3 – Monitor and Control Schedule
Note: This process is part of the Monitoring and Controlling Focus Area within the Project Management Performance Domains.