Results and Reporting

Chart Layouts 

Layouts store the configuration preferences of the results charts to the computer for applying across multiple files. The following items comprise a layout and will be discussed in more detail in this chapter:

To save the active configuration preferences for all charts:

1. Click the Layouts icon in the Chart pane toolbar
2. Choose New Layout
3. Enter a name and click Save
4. To rename or delete, repeat step 1 and choose accordingly.
5. To apply a different layout to your file, click the dropdown next to Chart Layout and choose accordingly.

Key Milestones 

key milestones allow you to filter the table to only the most important milestones (or activities) in the schedule quickly and easily. For example, major stage gates, completion of important phases, enclosure of a building, or substantial completion of the project. Key milestones are only available in the Results view.

1. Click the Results  icon.
2. In the Key column of the Table pane, click once in the star iconuntil it turns yellow. 
3. Click the Filter icon above the table and select Key, or type "key" into the search box.

Distribution Charts

Distribution charts show bars representing the number of iterations a value was observed during simulation, as well the cumulative total via the cumulative curve. Distribution charts can be viewed for start date, finish date, duration, drift, float, total float, cost, probabilistic cash flow, and float risk envelope. As different activities or WBS nodes are selected in the Table pane, the chart will update accordingly. 

1. Click the Results  icon.
2. Click the Simulation dropdown in the Table pane and choose a desired simulation.
3. Click the Chart Type dropdown in the Chart pane and choose the desired chart.
   
   

Adding/Removing Markers

Markers perform the following functions:

Four types of markers exists, as follows:

1. Click the Results  icon.
2. In the Chart Properties pane, click the Add button next to the Markers list.
3. Click the dropdown in the Type column to change marker types.
4. To remove, select the row in the list and click Remove.
   

Recalculating the X-Intervals for Cost Charts

The x-axis of the cost distribution chart can be grouped into smaller or larger buckets, e.g. $100, $1,000, $10,000 etc. Larger intervals will reduce the number of bars and smaller intervals will increase the number of bars. For example, with an interval of $1,000, an iteration with a total cost of $500 and an iteration with a total cost of $1,000 would be represented by a single bar with 2 hits rather than two separate bars each with one hit.

The cash flow chart can be recalculated based on days, weeks, months (default), quarters, or years. When choosing weeks, whichever day the project starts on will define the beginning of the week. To recalculate the x-axis interval:

1. Click the Results  icon.
2. In the Chart pane, click the dropdown next to Chart Type and choose either Cost or Cash Flow.
3. In the toolbar above the chart, click the dropdown next to X-Axis Interval and choose as desired.

Scatter Plots

Distribution charts show a single variable (completion, OR cost, OR duration). The problem is, if we target a date with an 80% probability of being met, there are many costs associated with that date, some of which are not 80% likely to occur. Similarly, if we target a cost with an 80% probability of being met, there are many dates associated with that cost, some of which are not 80% likely to occur. Targeting the P80 cost and P80 finish will not result in an overall P80. Scatter plots combine two variables and allow us to see the joint probabilities. Scatter plots are available for Completion & Cost or Duration & Cost.

Scatter plots are divided into four quadrants, which can be adjusted by moving the vertical and horizontal lines. Each quadrant shows the percentage of iterations that fall within the quadrant. To see, for example, the joint P80, move each line until the quadrant at the bottom left (Q3) shows 80%. You'll see there are many combinations of cost and date to achieve this. A curve can be drawn connecting all of the combinations called the joint confidence level curve by clicking the Joint Confidence Colors icon in the chart toolbar. The curves default, and are fixed, to 20%, 50%, and 80%. 

1. Click the Results  icon.
2. In the Chart pane, click the dropdown next to Chart Type and choose either Completion & Cost or Duration & Cost.
3. Click on either line or at the center and adjust until you see the desired probability or value for each line.
4. To change color scheme, click the Joint Confidence Colors  icon in the chart toolbar.

Overlaying Scatter Plot and Cash Flow 

While viewing the cash flow chart, the scatter plot can be overlayed on top of it. To do so:

1. Click the Results  icon.
2. In the Chart pane, click the dropdown next to Chart Type and choose Cash Flow.
3. In the toolbar above the chart, click the Scatter button.

Tornado Charts

Tornado charts show results organized from high to low for a variety of data sets.

As different activities or WBS nodes are selected in the Table pane, the chart will update accordingly, as well as be filtered or recalculated as indicated. To view tornado charts:

1. Click the Results  icon.
2. Click the Simulation dropdown in the Table pane and choose a desired simulation.
3. Click the Chart Type dropdown in the Chart pane and choose accordingly.
   
   

Safe Float

Total float is a fundamental scheduling concept; however, it is measured to the deterministic project completion date. During risk analysis, the project completion depends on the p value, or likelihood, chosen by the team. Total float to the P80 project completion date is not the same as total float to the P70 completion date - in fact, it's greater, since, despite the fact that the confidence must be higher, the P80 project completion date is ultimately later. To solve this issue, NetRisk introduces Safe Float: the number of days an activity can be delayed without delaying a desired probabilistic finish date (p value). In addition, NetRisk provides the date by which the activity must start so as to not delay the designated probabilistic finish date, i.e. the Safe Float Start Date.

Safe float and the safe float start date can be viewed in the table for any p-value in increments of 5. For details on customizing columns, see Interface Tour.

Safe float can be viewed as a tornado chart for up to 2 p-values simultaneously. For instructions, see Tornado Charts above.

Chart Properties

The Chart Properties Pane will update depending on the selected chart type. Any modifications are stored with the file.

Labels

Legend

Markers

A table for adding, modifying, and removing annotations to the chart. See Results and Reporting above.

Series

Tornado Charts

Chart Formatting

The following chart elements can be formatted directly on the chart:

To do so:

1. Click the Results  icon.
2. Select the desired element directly on the chart with the mouse. The selected element will be confirmed in the toolbar above the chart, e.g. "Title Formatting".
3. Click the desired icon or font picker immediately to the right.

Comparing Charts

The following comparisons can be made:

• Simulation to simulation, for example completion dates for the same activity in multiple simulations
• Activity to activity, for example completion dates for multiple activities within the same simulation
• Multiples, for example completion dates for multiple activities in multiple simulations

Simulation to Simulation

1. Click the Results  icon.
2. Click the Simulation dropdown above the Table pane
3. Check the box next to each simulation desired.
4. Click Close.

Activity to Activity

1. Click the Results  icon.

2. In the Compare column, check the box next to each activity desired.

Printing or Exporting Charts

Charts can be printed to paper or to PDF or copied to the clipboard as an image for pasting into reports. 

1. Click the Results  icon.
   
2. In the toolbar above the Chart pane, click the dropdown next to Chart Type and choose the desired chart.
3. To generate a screenshot, click the Copy to Clipboard icon  in the toolbar above the chart.
4. To print, click the Print icon .
5. Customize using the operating system's print window and click OK.

Exporting Percentile Results to P6

Percentile data, or p values, can be exported to XER user defined fields (UDFs) for importing into P6. In P6, this data can be used to illustrate, for example, the entire schedule on P80 dates, side-by-side with the deterministic schedule on the Gantt chart. 

1. Click the Results  icon.
2. Click the Export icon above the table and choose Export Percentile Results to P6 XER.
3. Click the Add button and customize as desired.
4. When finished, click Export.
5. Enter a filename and click Save.

P Value-to-UDF Columns

Available Table Columns