User

Guide V3.0
Acumen Fuse Software www.projectacumen.com

October 2011

1 INTRODUCING ACUMEN FUSE ...................................................................................... 9 1.1 Overview ................................................................................................................................... 9 1.1.1 Project Analysis and Visualization ........................................................................................... 9 1.1.2 Acumen Fuse Ribbons .................................................................................................................... 9 Figure 1-1 Sample Project Shown as a Gantt Chart in MS Project ....................................... 10 Figure 1-2 Sample Project Shown as a Project Ribbon in Acumen Fuse .......................... 10 Figure 1-3 Sample Project Showing Critical Path Ribbons in Acumen Fuse ................... 10 Figure 1-4 Sample Project Showing Path Ribbons in Acumen Fuse ................................... 11 1.1.3 Acumen Fuse Metrics .................................................................................................................. 11 1.1.4 Acumen Fuse Analysis ................................................................................................................ 12 Figure 1-5 Ribbon, Phase & Intersection Analyzers .................................................................. 12 Figure 1-6 Metric Tripwire Thresholds .......................................................................................... 12 Figure 1-7 Activity Browser ................................................................................................................. 13 1.2 Navigation .............................................................................................................................. 14 Figure 1-8 Navigation through the Ribbon Menu Bar .............................................................. 14 Figure 1-9 File Management Menu ................................................................................................... 14 1.2.1 The Projects View ......................................................................................................................... 14 Figure 1-10 The Projects View ............................................................................................... 15 1.2.2 The Dashboard View ................................................................................................................... 16 Figure 1-11 The Dashboard View .......................................................................................... 16 1.2.3 The Analysis View ......................................................................................................................... 16 Figure 1-12 The Analysis View ............................................................................................... 17 1.2.4 The Logic View ............................................................................................................................... 18 Figure 1-13 The Logic Analysis View .................................................................................... 19 1.2.5 The Forensics View ...................................................................................................................... 19 Figure 1-14 The Forensics View ............................................................................................. 20 1.2.6 The Metrics View ........................................................................................................................... 20 Figure 1-15 The Metrics View ................................................................................................. 21 1.2.7 The Fields View .............................................................................................................................. 22 Figure 1-16 The Fields View .................................................................................................... 22 1.3 Integrating With Project Management Platforms .................................................... 23 Figure 1-17 - Supported Platforms .......................................................................................... 23 2 WORKING WITH ACUMEN FUSE WORKBOOKS ..................................................... 24 2.1 Introducing Acumen Fuse Workbooks ........................................................................ 24 2.1.1 Standard File Format ................................................................................................................... 24 2.1.2 XML File Format ............................................................................................................................ 24 2.2 Creating a New Workbook ............................................................................................... 24 Figure 2-1 Creating a New Acumen Fuse Workbook ....................................................... 24 2.2.1 Metrics within a Workbook ...................................................................................................... 25 2.3 Linking and Importing Projects ..................................................................................... 25 2.3.1 MS Project 2003/2007/2010 .................................................................................................. 25 2.3.2 Oracle Primavera P6 (V5/6/7/R8) ....................................................................................... 25 2.3.3 Linking to a single Project within an XER File .................................................................. 26 Figure 2-2 Importing a single Primavera P6 Project from an XER File ....................... 26 2.3.4 Linking to All Projects Within an XER File ......................................................................... 26 2.3.5 Primavera P3 .................................................................................................................................. 26 2.3.6 Oracle Primavera Risk Analysis (formerly known as Pertmaster) ......................... 26 2.3.7 Deltek Open Plan ....................................................................................................................... 26

Acumen Fuse Software ................................................................................................................ 1

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3 CUSTOM FIELD MAPPINGS .......................................................................................... 38 3.1 Introducing Field Mapping ............................................................................................... 38 Figure 3-1 The Fields View ......................................................................................................... 38 3.2 Editing Field Mappings ...................................................................................................... 39 Figure 3-2 Creating Custom Field Mappings ...................................................................... 40 3.3 Editing Field Names ............................................................................................................ 40 3.4 Deleting Fields ...................................................................................................................... 40 3.5 Deleting Field Mappings ................................................................................................... 40 Figure 3-3 Deleting Custom Field Mappings ...................................................................... 40 3.6 Minimum Fields Required ................................................................................................ 40 3.7 Working with Field Types ................................................................................................ 41 3.8 Mapping a Field to Multiple Data Sources .................................................................. 41 Figure 3-4 Map to All Projects ................................................................................................ 41 3.9 Map all Code Fields for this Project ............................................................................... 41 3.10 Map all Code Fields for all Projects ............................................................................. 41 3.11 Map all User fields for All Projects .............................................................................. 41

2.3.8 Asta PowerProject ........................................................................................................................ 27 2.3.9 UN/CEFACT XML Schedule Files ............................................................................................ 27 2.3.10 Deltek Cobra CAP Earned Value Data ............................................................................ 27 2.3.11 MS Excel .......................................................................................................................................... 28 Figure 2-3 Linking to a Worksheet within an Excel File ................................................... 28 2.3.12 ARES PRISM G2 ........................................................................................................................... 28 2.4 Link Types ............................................................................................................................. 28 2.4.1 Project Links ................................................................................................................................... 29 2.4.2 Snapshot Links ............................................................................................................................... 29 Figure 2-4 Workbook, Project & Snapshot Hierarchy ....................................................... 29 2.4.3 Adding a Snapshot to a Project ............................................................................................... 29 2.4.4 Converting a Snapshot to a Project ....................................................................................... 30 Figure 2-5 Converting a Snapshot to a Project ..................................................................... 30 2.4.5 Adding a Baseline to Primavera P6 Workbooks .............................................................. 30 Figure 2-6 Adding a Baseline to a Primavera Project ........................................................ 31 Figure 2-7 Assigned Baseline against a Primavera P6 Project ....................................... 31 2.4.6 Merging Multiple Data Sources into a Single Dataset (e.g. cost and schedule) .. 31 Figure 2.8 Assigning a Mapped File ...................................................................................... 32 Figure 2.9 Mapping Merge File Fields .................................................................................. 33 Figure 2.9b Analysis View showing Merged Data ............................................................ 33 2.5 Importing Project Data ...................................................................................................... 33 Figure 2-10 Importing Project(s) Data ................................................................................... 34 2.5.1 Filtering Project Data During an Import ............................................................................. 34 Figure 2-11 Importing Project Data ........................................................................................ 35 2.6 Alternate Scenario Analysis by Including/Excluding Projects ............................ 35 Figure 2-12 Including/Excluding Projects from a Fuse analysis ................................... 35 2.7 Setting Display Units .......................................................................................................... 35 Figure 2-13 Display Time Units ................................................................................................. 35 2.8 Displaying projects, Snapshots & Scenarios in Timeline Mode ........................... 36 2.8.1 Adding Activities to the Timeline View ............................................................................... 36 Figure 2-14 Adding Activities to the Timeline View ........................................................... 36 2.8.2 Displaying the Timeline View .................................................................................................. 37 Figure 2-15 the Timeline View .................................................................................................. 37

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4 MANAGING METRICS ..................................................................................................... 43 4.1 Introducing Acumen Fuse Metrics ................................................................................. 43 4.1.1 Primary Formula ........................................................................................................................... 43 4.1.2 Secondary Formula ...................................................................................................................... 43 4.1.3 Tripwire Formula ......................................................................................................................... 43 4.1.4 Tripwire Threshold ...................................................................................................................... 43 Figure 4-1 The Metric Editor ...................................................................................................... 44 4.2 Metric Definition ................................................................................................................. 44 Figure 4-2 Hierarchical Development of Metrics ................................................................ 45 4.3 Writing Metric Formulas .................................................................................................. 45 4.3.1 Array Formula Types .................................................................................................................. 45 Figure 4-2 Calculation of Array Formulas ............................................................................. 46 4.3.2 Developing Primary Formulas ................................................................................................ 46 Figure 4-3 Basic and Advanced Primary Formula Definition ......................................... 47 4.3.3 Developing Secondary Formulas ........................................................................................... 47
Figure 4-4 Simple Percentage of Primary Formula and Advanced Secondary Formula Definition ........................................................................................................................ 48 4.4 Tripwires ............................................................................................................................... 48 4.4.1 Tripwire Formulas ....................................................................................................................... 48 Figure 4-5 Auto Calculated and Advanced Tripwire Formula Definition ................... 49 4.4.2 Tripwire Thresholds .................................................................................................................... 49 4.4.3 Defining Tripwire Threshold Scales ..................................................................................... 49 Figure 4-6 Tripwire Threshold Scales .................................................................................... 49 4.4.4 Normal and Gradient Scales ..................................................................................................... 50 4.4.5 Including/Excluding Metrics from Analysis ...................................................................... 50 Figure 4-7 Inclusion/Exclusion of Metrics to Analyzers ................................................... 50 4.5 Testing Metric Formulas ................................................................................................... 50 4.6 Commonly Used Functions ............................................................................................... 51 Figure 4-8 Commonly Used Function Types ......................................................................... 51 4.6.1 IF(logical_test, value_if_true, [value_if_false]) .................................................................. 51 4.6.2 SUM(number1, [number2], [number3], [number4], ...) ............................................... 51 4.6.3 AND(logical1, [logical2], ...) ...................................................................................................... 52 4.6.4 MAX(number1,number2,...) ...................................................................................................... 52 4.6.5 AVERAGE(number1, [number2],...) ...................................................................................... 52 4.6.6 COUNTIF(range, criteria) .......................................................................................................... 52 4.7 Types of Acumen Fuse Field ............................................................................................ 52 4.7.1 Activity Fields ................................................................................................................................. 52 4.7.2 Project Fields .................................................................................................................................. 53 4.7.3 Workbook Fields ........................................................................................................................... 53 4.7.4 Dynamic Fields ............................................................................................................................... 53 4.8 Templated Metric Libraries ............................................................................................. 53 4.8.1 Saving a Metric Library as a Template ................................................................................ 54 Figure 4.9 Saving a Metric Library as a Template ............................................................ 54 4.8.2 Re-using a Metric Library Template ..................................................................................... 54 4.8.3 Setting a Custom Metric Library as the Default Library .............................................. 54 Figure 4.10 Setting Default Metric Library ......................................................................... 55

3.12 Load Default Mapping ..................................................................................................... 42 3.13 Field Mapping Context .................................................................................................... 42 3.14 Mapped Fields and Metrics ............................................................................................ 42

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5 THE ACUMEN FUSE ENGINE ......................................................................................... 58 5.1 Ribbon Analysis ................................................................................................................... 58 Figure 5-1 Ribbon Analysis ...................................................................................................................... 58 5.2 Phase Analysis ...................................................................................................................... 58 Figure 5-2 Simple MS Project Schedule Spanning Four Phases ............................................... 58 Figure 5-3 Phase Analysis ......................................................................................................................... 59 5.3 Intersection Analysis ......................................................................................................... 59 Figure 5-4 Two Activities within MS Project .................................................................................... 59 Figure 5-5 Two Activities within Acumen Fuse .............................................................................. 59 Table 5-6 Three-Dimensional Fuse Analysis Modes ........................................................ 60 6 THE ANALYSIS VIEW ...................................................................................................... 61 6.1 Analysis View Navigation ................................................................................................. 61 Figure 6-1 The Analysis View .................................................................................................. 61 6.1.1 Ribbon Browser ............................................................................................................................. 62 6.1.2 Phase Analyzer ............................................................................................................................... 62 6.1.3 Ribbon Analyzer ............................................................................................................................ 62 6.1.4 Intersection Analyzer .................................................................................................................. 62 6.1.5 Activity Browser ............................................................................................................................ 62 6.2 Running Your First Acumen Fuse Analysis ................................................................. 62 6.2.1 Populate your workbook with project data ...................................................................... 63 6.2.2 Run Acumen Fuse Analysis ....................................................................................................... 63 Figure 6-2 Sample Analysis Results ...................................................................................... 63 6.3 The Ribbon Menu ................................................................................................................ 63 Figure 6-3 The Ribbon Menu ................................................................................................... 64 6.4 Creating Ribbons ................................................................................................................. 64 6.4.1 Project/Snapshot Ribbons ........................................................................................................ 64 Figure 6-4 Project-Based Ribbons ......................................................................................... 64 6.4.2 Field-Based Ribbons .................................................................................................................... 64 Figure 6-5 Creating Field-Based Ribbons ........................................................................... 65 Field Ribbons using Interval Size .......................................................................................................... 65 Field Ribbons using # of Intervals ........................................................................................................ 65 Field Ribbons using Delimiters .............................................................................................................. 65 Figure 6-6 Field-Based Ribbons ............................................................................................. 65 6.4.3 Resource Ribbons ......................................................................................................................... 66 Figure 6-6b Resource-based Ribbons .................................................................................. 66 6.4.4 WBS Based Ribbons ..................................................................................................................... 67 Figure 6-6c WBS-based Ribbons ............................................................................................ 67 6.4.5 Sorting Ribbons ............................................................................................................................. 67 6.4.6 Filtering and Drilling Down through Ribbons .................................................................. 67 Figure 7 Filtered Analysis using Hierarchical Ribbons .................................................. 68 6.5 Defining Date Ranges & Phases ...................................................................................... 68 Figure 6-8 Ribbon Phase Options .......................................................................................... 68 Splitting Q3 and Q4 Phases ...................................................................................................................... 69 Merged Q3 and Q4 2009 Phases ............................................................................................................ 69 Figure 6-9 Merging Ribbon Phases ....................................................................................... 69

4.9 Managing Metrics and Metric Libraries ....................................................................... 56 Figure 4.11 Managing the Metric Library ........................................................................... 56 4.10 Metric Weightings for Scorecards ............................................................................... 56 Figure 4.12 Metric Weightings for Scorecard Analysis .................................................. 57

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7 COMPARISON ANALYZER ............................................................................................. 83

6.6 Applying Metrics .................................................................................................................. 69 Figure 6-10 Ribbon Tabs .......................................................................................................... 69 6.6.1 Adding a Metric to a Analysis View ....................................................................................... 69 Adding Days Remaining metric to the analysis view ................................................................ 71 Days Remaining Metric Added to all Three Analyzers ................................................................. 71 Figure 6-11 Adding Metrics ..................................................................................................... 71 6.6.2 Removing Metrics from a Analysis View ............................................................................ 71 6.6.3 Adding an Entire Metric Library to an Analyzer ............................................................. 71 Figure 6-12 Adding Metrics ..................................................................................................... 72 6.6.4 Adding New Tabs to the Analysis View ............................................................................... 72 6.7 Running an Acumen Fuse Analysis ................................................................................ 72 6.8 Viewing & Interpreting Results through Analyzer Windows ............................... 72 6.8.1 Ribbon Analyzer ............................................................................................................................ 72 Ribbon Analyzer Tabular View ............................................................................................................... 72 Ribbon Analyzer Chart View ................................................................................................................ 72 Figure 6-13 Ribbon Analyzer .................................................................................................. 72 6.8.2 Phase Analyzer ............................................................................................................................... 73 Phase Analyzer Tabular View ................................................................................................................. 73 Phase Analyzer Chart View ................................................................................................................... 73 Figure 6-14 Phase Analyzer ..................................................................................................... 73 6.8.3 Intersection Analyzer .................................................................................................................. 73 Intersection Analyzer Tabular View .................................................................................................... 73 Intersection Analyzer Chart View ...................................................................................................... 73 Figure 6-15 Intersection Analyzer ........................................................................................ 73 6.8.4 Analyzer Chart Options .............................................................................................................. 73 6.9 Using the Activity Browser ............................................................................................... 74 Figure 6-16 Activity Browser Results .................................................................................. 75 Activity Browser Tabular mode ......................................................................................................... 76 Activity Browser Gantt mode .............................................................................................................. 76 Activity Browser Heat Map ................................................................................................................... 76 Activity Browser Detailed mode ........................................................................................................ 76 Activity Browser Scorecard .................................................................................................................. 76 Figure 6-17 Activity Browser Modes .................................................................................... 76 6.9.1 Scorecard View within the Activity Browser .................................................................... 76 Figure 6-17b Activity Browser showing Scorecard Results ......................................... 77 6.9.2 Heat Map View ............................................................................................................................... 77 Figure 6-17c Heat Map Options .............................................................................................. 78 Figure 6-17d Heat Map Example ............................................................................................ 78 6.10 Smart-Filtering of Ribbons ............................................................................................ 78 Figure 6-18 Smart-Filtering of Activities based on Analysis Results ........................ 79 6.11 Zooming in/out of Phases .............................................................................................. 79 Analysis View showing Years .................................................................................................................. 79 Analysis View Zoomed into a specific Year ....................................................................................... 79 Figure 6-19 Zooming within Phases ..................................................................................... 79 6.12 (Driving) Logic Analysis ................................................................................................. 80 Figure 6-20 Logic Trace Menu ................................................................................................ 81 Figure 6-21 Triggering a Logic Trace from the Activity Browser ............................... 81 Figure 6-22 Results from a Logic Trace ............................................................................... 82

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8 BENCHMARK ANALYSIS ................................................................................................ 85 Figure 9.1 Benchmark Analysis .............................................................................................................. 85 10 LOGIC ANALYSIS ........................................................................................................... 86 10.1 Overview .............................................................................................................................. 86 Figure 10-1 Various Logic Analysis Options ..................................................................................... 86 10.2 Positive and Negative Leads and Lags ....................................................................... 86 10.3 Redundant Logic ............................................................................................................... 86 Figure 10.2 Redundant Logic in a MS Project Schedule .............................................................. 87 Figure 10-3 Logic Analysis in Acumen Fuse ..................................................................................... 87 10.4 Circular Logic ..................................................................................................................... 87 10.5 Open Ends ............................................................................................................................ 87 10.6 Relationships on Summaries ........................................................................................ 88 10.7 Out of Sequence Updates ................................................................................................ 88 10.8 Reverse Logic ..................................................................................................................... 88 10.9 Dangling Activities (Open Start and Open Finish) ................................................. 88 10.10 Sorting and Grouping Logic Analysis Results ....................................................... 88 10.11 Publishing Logic Analysis Results ............................................................................ 88 11 FORENSIC ANALYSIS .................................................................................................... 89 11.1 Overview .............................................................................................................................. 89 11.2 Setting up a Forensic Analysis ...................................................................................... 89 Figure 11.1 Setting up a Forensic Analysis Workbook ................................................................ 90 11.3 Running a Forensic Analysis ......................................................................................... 90 Figure 11.2 Running a Forensic Analysis ........................................................................................... 90 Figure 11.3 Sorting and Grouping a Forensic Analysis Report ................................................ 91 Figure 11.4 Exported Forensic Analysis Results in MS Excel .................................................... 92 11.4 Modifying Reporting Criteria ........................................................................................ 92 Figure 11.5 Selecting the Modify Fields option in the Forensic Report ................................ 92 Figure 11.6 Customizing Forensic Columns ..................................................................................... 93 Figure 11.7 Customizing Columns and Criteria for the Forensic Analyzer ......................... 93 12 FUSE DASHBOARD ....................................................................................................... 95 Figure 12.1 Fuse Dashboard .................................................................................................................... 95 12.1 Fuse Widgets ...................................................................................................................... 96 Figure 12.1 Fuse Analysis Widgets ....................................................................................................... 96 13 REPORTING .................................................................................................................... 97 13.1 Activity Browser Printing .............................................................................................. 97 Figure 13-1 Printing the Activity Browser Results ........................................................................ 97 13.2 Comparison Analyzer Printing ..................................................................................... 97 Figure 13-2 Printing the Comparison Analyzer Results .............................................................. 98 13.3 Analysis View Report Generation ............................................................................... 98 Figure 13-3 Publish to MS Excel ............................................................................................................ 99 13.4 Executive Briefing ............................................................................................................ 99 Figure 13-4 Example Pages within the Executive Briefing Report ...................................... 100 13.5 Analyst Report ................................................................................................................. 100 Figure 13-5 Example of Analyst Report .......................................................................................... 101 13.6 Logic Analysis Report .................................................................................................... 101

7.1 Running a Comparison Analysis .................................................................................... 83 Figure 7-1 Compare Analysis Results .................................................................................................. 84

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14 SCHEDULE CLEANSER ........................................................................................... 104 14.1 Running a Schedule Cleanse ....................................................................................... 104 Figure 14-1 Schedule Cleanser ......................................................................................................... 104 14.2 Scenarios ........................................................................................................................... 104 14.3 Publishing a Scenario to MS Project and Primavera ........................................... 104

Figure 13-6 Logic Analysis Report ..................................................................................................... 102 13.7 Forensics Analysis Report ........................................................................................... 102 Figure 13-7 Example of Analyst Report .......................................................................................... 103

15 TYPES OF ACUMEN FUSE ANALYSIS .................................................................... 106 15.1 Single Project Analysis .................................................................................................. 106 Single Project Shown as a Project Ribbon ...................................................................................... 106 Single Project Shown Ribbonized by WBS ..................................................................................... 106 Figure 15-1 Single Project Analysis Mode ...................................................................................... 106 15.2 Snapshot Comparison-Trending of a Project over Time ................................... 106 Figure 15-2 Snapshot Comparison Analysis Mode ........................................................... 107 15.3 Multi-Project/Portfolio Analysis ............................................................................... 107 Figure 15-3 Portfolio Analysis Mode ..................................................................................... 108 16 The Fuse Application Programming Interface (API) .................................... 109 Figure 16.1 Example Custom API integration .................................................................... 109 17 FUSE 360 GOAL-BASED OPTIMIZATION ......................................................... 110 17.1 How does a Fuse 360 Analysis Work? ...................................................................... 110 17.2 Defining a Goal ................................................................................................................. 110 17.2.1 Project Goal ................................................................................................................................ 110 Figure 17.1 Defining a Project Goal in Fuse 360 ................................................................ 111 17.2.2 Activity Goal ............................................................................................................................... 111 Figure 17.2 Defining an Activity Goal in Fuse 360 ............................................................ 112 17.3 Advanced Settings .......................................................................................................... 112 Figure 17.3 Advanced Acceleration Settings ...................................................................... 113 17.4 Defining Criteria Sets (Scripts) .................................................................................. 113 Figure 17.4 Script Editor ........................................................................................................... 113 17.4.1 Defining Steps ........................................................................................................................... 114 17.4.2 Defining Filters within Steps .............................................................................................. 114 Figure 17.5 Filter Definition within a Step .......................................................................... 115 17.5 Working with Script Templates ................................................................................. 115 Figure 17.6 Working with Criteria Set Scripts ................................................................... 116 17.6 Running a 360 Analysis ................................................................................................ 116 Figure 17.7 Results from a Fuse 360 Acceleration ........................................................... 117 17.7 Analyzing the Results .................................................................................................... 117 Figure 17.8 Results from a Fuse 360 Acceleration ........................................................... 117 17.8 Publishing Scenarios ..................................................................................................... 117 18 STANDARD FIELD MAPPINGS ............................................................................... 118 19 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................................ 122

20 INSTALLATION ........................................................................................................... 123 21 AUTOMATIC UPDATES ............................................................................................ 124 8 | P a g e

1 INTRODUCING ACUMEN FUSE

Chapter 1 introduces concepts used; product navigation; the main views and integration with other Project Management platforms.

1.1 Overview
1.1.1 Project Analysis and Visualization Acumen Fuse is a project analysis and visualization software tool that provides a unique insight into project planning quality, project performance and project execution. This is achieved by simplifying project data through the generation of Acumen Fuse Ribbons against which libraries of project metrics are applied. Acumen Fuse analysis can be conducted for:
Analysis of a single project Comparison of multiple projects within a program/portfolio Trending analysis of a single project over time Forensic analysis of projects

1.1.2 Acumen Fuse Ribbons Acumen Fuse Ribbons are the basis against which an analysis is conducted. Ribbons are a means of flattening and simplifying large amounts of project data. A ribbon can be defined by something as simple as an activity attribute (e.g. type of activity), a resource or can be defined to represent a path through a network between two activities within a project. Irrespective of how a ribbon is created, its purpose is to group activities based on a given criteria. Acumen Fuse analysis is conducted against ribbons. The benefits of grouping project data into ribbons are numerous:
Simplification of large, complex projects reduction of large numbers of activities down to a more manageable number of ribbons. Visualization of activities based on common criteria (e.g. activity attribute or network path). Easy reporting giving fast means of slicing and dicing project data.

Figure 1-1 shows a sample project created in MS Project that contains four activities and two parallel paths. Activities A, C and D all lie on the critical path. Activity B contains float and is not on the critical path.

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 Figure 1-1 Sample Project Shown as a Gantt Chart in MS Project

In Acumen Fuse, at the summary level, you can create a single ribbon that contains all activities within the project. Figure 1-2 shows a ribbon view of the same sample project ribbonized by project.

Figure 1-2 Sample Project Shown as a Project Ribbon in Acumen Fuse

Now consider a scenario whereby you want to ribbonize based on whether an activity falls on the critical path or not. Figure 1-3 shows the same sample project this time ribbonized by Critical Path. By separating critical and non critical activities, you are able to get a clearer insight into your project.

Figure 1-3 Sample Project Showing Critical Path Ribbons in Acumen Fuse

Taking this a step further, now consider creating ribbons not by an activity attribute but instead by paths through the network. Ribbons can be created by choosing any two points within your project (start point and end point) with the resulting network paths becoming the analysis ribbons. Figure 1-4 shows the example project ribbonized based on the paths between project start and project completion.

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 Figure 1-4 Sample Project Showing Path Ribbons in Acumen Fuse

By ribbonizing by various activity attributes and network paths, you can run Acumen Fuse analytics in multiple dimensions providing insight that is not easily available in traditional Gantt chart type reports. 1.1.3 Acumen Fuse Metrics Acumen Fuse uses libraries of metrics to analyze projects. Standard metric libraries pertaining to schedule quality, cost, project performance, risk exposure, Earned Value and more are included within the tool. Additional libraries and associated metrics can be created. Metrics contain formulas and tripwire thresholds. Formulas are used to calculate results as part of an analysis. Tripwire thresholds are used to flag and filter activities that exceed given thresholds. Metric results can be numeric (e.g. cost or duration) or percentages (e.g. percentage of total project duration). Percentages are useful for portraying results within a given context. Metric formulas are defined using standard MS Excel-based formula syntax. Chapter 4 details this process. Acumen Fuse includes various metrics libraries including but not limited to:
DCMA 14 Point Schedule Assessment schedule critique Schedule schedule characteristics Cost cost characteristics Performance execution performance relative to a given baseline Plan characteristics nature and complexity of a project plan Risk Exposure cost and schedule risk exposure Earned Value EV-based performance analysis Earned Schedule schedule-based performance analysis Forensics Comparison-based metrics for determining root cause of delay

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1.1.4 Acumen Fuse Analysis Acumen Fuse is based on an advanced metric analytics engine. The analytics engine applies metrics to ribbonized groupings of project data. Acumen Fuse analysis is conducted in three modes as shown in figure 1-5.
Ribbon analysis metrics are applied to a ribbon as a whole. Phase analysis metrics applied across ribbons within a specific phase or time period. Intersection analysis metrics are applied to a specific ribbon within a specific phase.
Intersection Analyzer Ribbon Analyzer

Phase nalyzer A

Figure 1-5 Ribbon, Phase & Intersection Analyzers

As well as calculating metrics, Acumen Fuse analysis also determines whether or not defined tripwire thresholds have been triggered. Figure 1-6 shows an example of two metrics being applied to our sample project with the lags metric causing a tripwire to be triggered. Note: the ribbon analyzer tells you which path is carrying the lag; the phase analyzer tells you which time period contains the lag and the intersection analyzer pinpoints the path and phase.

Figure 1-6 Metric Tripwire Thresholds

To pinpoint which activity(s) are causing the metric tripwire to trigger, use the Activity Browser. The Activity Browser shows activities based on which ribbon, phase or intersection you click on. This is described in detail in chapter 6.

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 Figure 1-7 Activity Browser

One of the unique capabilities of Acumen Fuse is the way the analysis engine is able to analyze across multiple phases as well as segment data by ribbon. The analysis engine automatically calculates duration, cost and work across phase boundaries and spreads values accordingly. For example, a 60-day activity starting on January 1st will be automatically segmented into 31 days for January and 28 days for February (assuming a non leap year) and 1 day in March. The costs and work for this activity also get spread accordingly so that when the metric engine is run, results are not only analyzed for the ribbon as a whole but also within each individual phase. Similarly, the engine determines, for example, which phase an activity starts within. This in turn enables metrics such as the number of activities starting within a particular fiscal reporting period to be created. In addition to carrying out metric analysis, you can also use Acumen Fuse to conduct a comparison analysis. A comparison analysis is a means of comparing similarities and differences between two sets of results. For example, you can use a comparison analysis to compare the differences between two identified paths within a network or the cost differences between two disciplines.

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1.2 Navigation

There are seven main navigation tabs within Acumen Fuse. The tabs are as follows:
Projects: used to create and maintain project workbooks. Use this tab to import project data. Dashboard: executive summary of status, schedule quality and forensics analysis Analysis: the main reporting and analysis view. Use this tab to generate Acumen Fuse analysis sessions. Logic: advanced logic checks Forensics: compare multiple snapshots or historical instances of a project(s) Metrics: the metric editor for maintaining custom metrics. Fields: view for defining custom field mappings when importing project data.

Navigation between these tabs is carried out through the Ribbon Navigation Menu Bar (figure 1-8).

Figure 1-8 Navigation through the Ribbon Menu Bar

File management (File New, Open, Close, Save, Save as, Print and Options) is navigated to by clicking on the Acumen Fuse icon in the top left hand corner of the ribbon menu bar (figure 1-9).

1.2.1 The Projects View The projects view is used to manage the contents of Acumen Fuse workbooks. Workbooks are containers for storing project data. Project data can come from multiple 14 | P a g e Figure 1-9 File Management Menu

sources/platforms and can be a combination of cost, schedule, risk or any other type of project management data that is to be analyzed.

Workbook Snapshots Project

Imported project data

A workbook can contain one or more projects. A project can optionally contain one or more snapshots. Snapshots are previous versions of a project file. This enables comparisons between versions of a single project file to be carried out without accidental double-dipping of data during analysis. More detail on project snapshots can be found in chapter 2.

Figure 1-10 The Projects View

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1.2.2 The Dashboard View The dashboard view is used to provide a summary overview as to the status, quality, health as well as changes made to a project or projects. A dashboard can be used at the workbook level or specifically within the context of a single project.

Figure 1-11 The Dashboard View

1.2.3 The Analysis View The Analysis View is the main view in Acumen Fuse. It is used to build models, run Acumen Fuse analysis and generate reports. The main view consists of four panels:
Ribbon Browser: flattened project data showing ribbons, activities and phases Ribbon analyzer: graphical/tabular view of analysis results for each ribbon Phase analyzer: graphical/tabular view of analysis results for each phase Activity Browser: tabular/Gantt/scorecard/heatmap chart view of activities/results

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Ribbons Ribbon Browser Metrics

Phases

Intersection Analysis

Ribbon Analyzer

Phase Analyzer

Activity Browser

Figure 1-12 The Analysis View

A single workbook can contain multiple analysis views. For example, you may have a analysis view designed for cost analysis and a second analysis view for the same workbook setup for risk exposure analysis.

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1.2.3.1 Ribbon Browser The ribbon browser is the core of the analysis view. Within the ribbon browser, you create ribbons, segment by phases and apply metrics. The ribbon browser is highly customizable. 1.2.3.1.1 Ribbons Ribbons are groupings of activities based on a given criteria. By default, ribbons are grouped by project but can be grouped in multiple ways including activity attribute, resource and path. If a workbook contains multiple projects, then a separate ribbon for each of these projects will be shown. Ribbons also contain activities. These activities can be hidden from within a ribbon if desired. Ribbons are segmented by phases. 1.2.3.1.2 Phases Phases are user definable segments of time against which the Acumen Fuse analysis is run. Phases can be weeks, days, months, quarters, years, custom periods or the entire project duration. 1.2.3.2 Phase Analyzer The phase analyzer shows the results from an Acumen Fuse analysis for each phase. Multiple metrics can be added to the phase analyzer. The phase analyzer can be displayed as either a table or a chart. 1.2.3.3 Ribbon Analyzer The ribbon analyzer shows the results from an Acumen Fuse analysis for each ribbon. Multiple metrics can be added to the ribbon analyzer. The ribbon analyzer can be displayed as either a table or a chart. 1.2.3.4 Intersection Analyzer In addition to running an analysis against a ribbon or phase, Acumen Fuse also enables metric reporting against a single segment within the ribbon browser (i.e. for a specific ribbon within a specific phase). 1.2.3.5 Activity Browser The Activity Browser shows individual activities. The activities shown depend on which segment of the ribbon or analyzer windows are clicked. There are six modes in which the Activity Browser can be used for reporting. These are described in detail in chapter 6. 1.2.4 The Logic View The logic analysis view is used to run various logic integrity checks against the schedule(s). Numerous analysis checks can be carried out including relationship types, leads and lags, redundant logic, open ends, circular logic, out of sequence updates and reverse logic.

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Figure 1-13 The Logic Analysis View

1.2.5 The Forensics View The forensics view enables you to compare multiple iterations, versions or snapshots of a schedule and track and trend changes and variances over time. There is no limit to the number of comparisons that can be made and every single field (including codes and user defined fields) can be analyzed for variance.

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Figure 1-14 The Forensics View

1.2.6 The Metrics View The metrics view is used to manage metrics, including the editing of existing and creation of new metrics.

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Metric Libraries Filters

Advanced Formula

Metrics

Figure 1-15 The Metrics View

Metrics contain four properties:

Primary formula Secondary Formula Tripwire Formula Tripwire Threshold

The three formula properties use a combination of user-friendly filters and optional advanced MS Excel type formulas where needed. 1.2.6.1 Primary formula The primary formula is the formula used to calculate the primary result calculated in an Acumen Fuse analysis. 1.2.6.2 Secondary formula The secondary formula is the corresponding formula associated with the primary formula often used to represent the primary formula as a percentage. 1.2.6.3 Tripwire formula The tripwire formula is used to determine the individual exceptions that are listed in the Activity Browser.

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1.2.6.4 Tripwire Threshold The threshold editor enables customizable thresholds to be defined and associated colors set. 1.2.7 The Fields View The fields view is used to map fields from the various source projects to corresponding fields in the Acumen Fuse workbook. Field mapping is flexible in that an individual Acumen Fuse field can obtain its data from any field from the source project. Further, the mappings between source projects may be different e.g. Baseline Start may come from Start1 in Project A and BaselineStartDate in project B (all within the same workbook). Standard, User Defined and Code fields can be mapped. Default mappings for all of the supported platforms are included.

Selected Source

Source Fields

Mapped Source Fields

Fuse Fields

Figure 1-16 The Fields View

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1.3 Integrating With Project Management Platforms

Acumen Fuse integrates with multiple project management platforms. Each Acumen Fuse workbook can contain projects from any of the following platforms:
MS Project 2003/2007/2010, MS Project Server 2007 and above Primavera P6 (versions 5.x, 6.x, 7.x and R8) Primavera P3 Oracle Pertmaster/Risk Analysis V8.x Asta PowerProject UN/CEFACT XML Deltek Open Plan V3.x Deltek Cobra (Earned Value) Deltek Risk+ ARES PRISM G2

In addition, Acumen Fuse provides flexible customizable integration with MS Excel. The Excel integration enables you to import data in almost any format from an Excel spreadsheet.

Data from any discipline (cost, schedule, risk, earned value, performance etc.) can be analyzed within Acumen Fuse. Refer to chapter 3 for more information on custom mapping and importing.

Figure 1-17 - Supported Platforms

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2 WORKING WITH ACUMEN FUSE WORKBOOKS

2.1 Introducing Acumen Fuse Workbooks
Workbooks are the core files within Acumen Fuse. Workbooks contain all information pertaining to an Acumen Fuse analysis including:
Imported project data Metric libraries and metrics Analysis Views Custom field mappings

Only one workbook can be open at a time within Acumen Fuse. Workbooks are stored as single files either on a local or network drive. Workbooks can be saved in two formats: 2.1.1 Standard File Format This is the default file format for saving Acumen Fuse workbooks. A proprietary high performance file format is used. Standard files have a file suffix of .afw. These files can be shared between users via file sharing and email etc but the content of the file cannot be edited outside of Acumen Fuse. For the analysis of large project files, it is recommended that the standard file format is used. 2.1.2 XML File Format Acumen Fuse workbooks can optionally be saved as XML. XML files provide a more open means of storing data as well as a means of viewing/sharing the content of the file outside of Acumen Fuse. This file format generates larger file sizes and as such is not as efficient as the native .afw format. Creation of an Acumen Fuse workbook is very straightforward. From within the Projects tab (the first navigation tab), simply click on the Acumen Fuse icon to reveal the file menu and select New.

2.2 Creating a New Workbook

Figure 2-1 Creating a New Acumen Fuse Workbook

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If you currently have a workbook open, you will be prompted to save any changes before your new workbook is created. Once a new workbook has been created, you can then start linking and importing projects. 2.2.1 Metrics within a Workbook It should be noted that each workbook contains its own metric library. Any changes made to metrics or the metric library are made only to the currently opened workbook. To re-use an updated metric library, you will need to open the updated workbook and do a Save As before proceeding with adding projects for analysis.

2.3 Linking and Importing Projects

Once you have created a new workbook you can begin to link to external data sources. The objective here is to create links and mappings between your workbook and one or more data sources so as to determine where to import project data from. Linking is the pre-cursor step to actually importing the data. A workbook can have an unlimited number of links to external sources. Acumen Fuse supports seven different types of data source. Once an external source is linked, default field mappings are applied between the source data and the Acumen Fuse workbook. These mappings are fully configurable as described in chapter 3. 2.3.1 MS Project 2003/2007/2010 Acumen Fuse links to MS Project files either through your installed copy of MS Project (2003, 2007, 2010) or by directly reading a MS Project file (without needing MS Project installed on your PC). The means by which MS Project is imported into Fuse can be set in the Fuse Options menu. MS Project linking supports cost, schedule, risk and Earned Value integration by default. MS Project linking supports custom field mapping (normal, code and user defined fields see Chapter 3). 2.3.2 Oracle Primavera P6 (V5/6/7/R8) Acumen Fuse links to Oracle Primavera P6 XER files. XER files are the standard means of exporting data outside of a P6 database. You do not need P6 installed on your PC to link and import XER files into Acumen Fuse. MS Project linking supports cost, schedule, risk and Earned Value integration by default. Primavera P6 linking supports custom field mapping (normal, code and user defined fields see Chapter 3). 25 | P a g e

2.3.3 Linking to a single Project within an XER File You can import a single project from an XER or all projects within the XER file. To do this, click on the From Oracle Primavera > Single Project from XER file. When prompted with a list of projects within the XER file, select the desired project and click OK.

Figure 2-2 Importing a single Primavera P6 Project from an XER File

2.3.4 Linking to All Projects Within an XER File If the XER file you are linking to contains more than one project, you can import all of the projects in a single step. To do this, click on the From Oracle Primavera > Multiple Projects from XER file. 2.3.5 Primavera P3 You can import a project(s) from a Primavera P3 file. To do this, click on the From Oracle Primavera > Single Project from a P3 file. When prompted select the desired project file (with a dir.p3 suffix) and click OK. 2.3.6 Oracle Primavera Risk Analysis (formerly known as Pertmaster) Acumen Fuse links to Primavera Risk Analysis files directly through your installed copy of Risk Analysis (V8.x and higher) or in absence of having Risk Analysis installed, you can natively read .plnx files into Fuse. You must have Risk Analysis installed on your PC in order to link and to and import .plan files from a Risk Analysis file. Such installation is not required for importing .plnx files generated in Risk Analysis. In addition to importing cost and schedule data, Acumen Fuse imports both risk inputs and risk output data from your Risk Analysis file. This enables you to conduct advanced risk-based analytics. Risk Analysis linking supports custom field mapping (normal, code and user defined fields see Chapter 3). 2.3.7 Deltek Open Plan Acumen Fuse links to Deltek Open Plan 3.x files directly through your installed copy of Open Plan. You must have Open Plan installed on your PC in order to link and to and import from an Open Plan file. In addition, you must have a valid Open Plan login in

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order to select a project for linking to. The Open Plan login credentials can be stored in the Acumen Fuse Options > Platforms window. Open Plan linking supports custom field mapping (normal, code and user defined fields see Chapter 3). 2.3.8 Asta PowerProject Acumen Fuse links to Asta PowerProject schedules that have been saved in the Asta PowerProject database format (MS Access files with .mdb suffixes). These files do not contain Float values for activities and so if float-based analysis is required for an Asta PowerProject in Fuse, the following steps in PowerProject must first be carried out before importing the mdb file: 1) Load the project file in PowerProject 2) Under Tools > User Field Manager, select Object Type > Bar > Add > Integer and name the newly created field e.g. TotalFloatUserField" 3) Add a column in the main view for Total Float: right click on column header > add column > Float > Total Float (you are about to copy this column to your newly created user field) 4) Add your user column in the main view by right clicking on a column header > Add column > User > " TotalFloatUserField " 5) Copy Total Float field data to user field (TotalFloatUserField) by selecting the Total Float column header and trigger a copy (CTRL C or edit > copy). Move to the user field and paste the data by edit > paste (or CTRL V) 6) Save file as an Asta PowerProject database MDB file You can now read the MDB file directly into Fuse. Once imported, to reference the Total Float field, simply map the User Field representing Total Float to the Fuse Total Float field in the field mapping view. 2.3.9 UN/CEFACT XML Schedule Files Acumen Fuse links to schedule files that use the UN/CEFACT XML schema (version D080B). This schema is an emerging standard being driven by the likes of the DCMA. You can link to and import from a UN/CEFACT XML file without having a scheduling tool installed on your PC. UN/CEFACT linking does not support custom field mapping. 2.3.10 Deltek Cobra CAP Earned Value Data Detailed phase-based Earned Value (EV) data can be linked to from Deltek Cobras Excel based CAP report. Importing a CAP report into Acumen Fuse enables Earned Value metrics to be run during a Fuse analysis. It should be noted that the outputs from an EV analysis (e.g. CPI, SPI, SV, CV etc) are not imported from the CAP report. Instead, these

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calculations are carried out directly within Acumen Fuse and are included in the Earned Value metrics. Deltek Cobra linking in Acumen Fuse does not support custom field mapping. Earned Value metric analysis is not limited to Deltek Cobra data. EV data can originate from any of the supported platforms and be imported into an Acumen Fuse workbook through custom field mapping (see chapter 3). 2.3.11 MS Excel Acumen Fuses interface with MS Excel provides an extremely open and flexible means of linking to external data. Any data that can be stored as an XLS or XLSX file can be imported into Acumen Fuse for analysis. When linking to an Excel file you are firstly prompted to select which worksheet within your Excel file you want to import (figure 2- 3).

Figure 2-3 Linking to a Worksheet within an Excel File

Once you have linked to a desired worksheet, you need to create mappings between the columns in the XLS spreadsheet and the fields within your Acumen Fuse workbook (see chapter 3). Excel fields will be auto mapped to Fuse fields if the field names are consistent between the two applications. 2.3.12 ARES PRISM G2 Detailed phase-based Earned Value (EV) data can be linked to from ARES PRISM G2. This is a very flexible means of analyzing time-phased cost data. PRISM G2 linking in Acumen Fuse does not support custom field mapping.

2.4 Link Types

Links to data sources can be either projects or snapshots within a workbook. During an analysis, it is often useful to reference summated values within a workbook, for example, total workbook cost or duration. If the workbook contains different projects, then such a summation is straightforward. However, if the workbook contains say two

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versions of the same project, then it is not valid to assume that the total workbook cost is the sum of both projects. By flagging a project as being a project or a snapshot of a parent project, the analysis engine is able to correctly calculate workbook level totals. 2.4.1 Project Links A project link is the most common type of link within a workbook. A project link treats the linked data as a normal project including all data in workbook summary calculations. 2.4.2 Snapshot Links Snapshot links belong to project links. A snapshot link cannot exist outside of a project link. A snapshot link is used to flag the project data as being a different version of the parent project. Not all the data from a snapshot linked project gets rolled up to the workbook level when the analysis engine calculates workbook level metrics. A snapshot of a project does not have to originate from the same source type as that of its parent project. For example, your current schedule may be stored in Primavera P6 whereas a previous version of the project may have been created (and linked to in Acumen Fuse) in MS Project.

Workbook Snapshots Project

Figure 2-4 Workbook, Project & Snapshot Hierarchy

2.4.3 Adding a Snapshot to a Project To add a snapshot to an existing project:
Select the project that you want to add a snapshot to From the Get External Data menu, add a new project

By selecting a project in the list of projects prior to linking to a new source, you are automatically designating the newly linked project to be a (child) snapshot of the selected project.

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2.4.4 Converting a Snapshot to a Project If you need to escalate a snapshot to become its own project:
Select the snapshot in question Click on the Convert Snapshot to Project

Figure 2-5 Converting a Snapshot to a Project

2.4.5 Adding a Baseline to Primavera P6 Workbooks XER files exported from Primavera P6 do not contain associated baseline project data. This causes a challenge when running metrics within Fuse that compare baseline data with the current schedule. To overcome this, Fuse provides the ability to assign a given P6 baseline schedule to a P6 schedule that has been brought into a Fuse workbook. In essence, this process merges a baseline dataset with the current project dataset overcoming the issue of baselines not natively being saved as part of an XER export from P6.

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Figure 2-6 Adding a Baseline to a Primavera Project

1. Select the desired Primavera P6 project within your Fuse workbook 2. Either right click on the P6 project or click on the Primavera menu within Fuse and select Set/Change Baseline 3. Select the desired P6 XER that youd like to set as the baseline project 4. Once assigned, the Primavera P6 file within the Fuse workbook will have a B icon associated with it (figure 2-7). 5. Import the project data to import both the project and baseline files together.

Figure 2-7 Assigned Baseline against a Primavera P6 Project

Baselines can be re-assigned/added/deleted by right-clicking on the Primavera project. A Primavera file can be assigned as both a snapshot and a baseline in a single step. Right click on the parent project and select Set Baseline and Add Snapshot. 2.4.6 Merging Multiple Data Sources into a Single Dataset (e.g. cost and schedule) Fuse includes a powerful utility for merging datasets from disparate sources into a single set of data that can be subsequently analyzed as a single dataset. Example use cases include merging a cost estimate from Excel with a schedule created in MS Project or Primavera. Such integration is a powerful means of combining cost and schedule information.

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Figure 2.8 Assigning a Mapped File

To create a merge file, firstly select the project file that youd like to merge data into. Right click on the project and select Merge with Excel File. Select the desired Excel file and then hit the Import Project button to actually complete the merge. The actual data merge occurs when the parent project data is imported into Fuse. Once merged, the combined dataset can be exported from Fuse using the Export to Excel button in the project workbook view. Merging is not limited to cost/schedule. Any dataset that has a ID structure that corresponds with the activity IDs in the main dataset can be merged. If the field headings in the XLS merge file correspond to field names in the Fuse file, they will be auto mapped (merged). Non-standard fields can also be imported/merged simply by drag-dropping the merge fields into the Fuse field list in the field mapping view (figure 2.9). Available mapped fields are displayed in the source field list highlighted in green. The merge file must have a column called ID in order to bind the merge data with activities in the Fuse workbook.

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Figure 2.9 Mapping Merge File Fields

Source XLS Cost d containing ata Actual Cost and CAM Owner

Figure 2.9b Analysis View showing Merged Data

Schedule ribbons grouped by CAM & showing actual cost (both from merged XLS file)

2.5 Importing Project Data

Once you have defined your workbook by adding projects and snapshots, you are ready to import the data. Importing can be done on a per project/snapshot basis or for the workbook as a whole. To import a single project/snapshot:
Select the desired project/snapshot Click on Import Project under the Import menu.

To import all projects within the workbook

Click on Import all Projects under the import menu

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Figure 2-10 Importing Project(s) Data

Importing project data will override any existing versions of previously imported data for the project(s) in question. Once imported, the project data is stored within the Acumen Fuse workbook. Subsequent importing is not necessary to conduct repeated analysis. Re-importing is only required if you want to analyze newly updated data that has changed in the source application. 2.5.1 Filtering Project Data During an Import When importing project data, you can optionally filter the type of information that is imported into your Acumen Fuse workbook. Filters can be applied based on:
Activity type: filter on normal, milestone, summary, Level of Effort (LOE) Status: Complete, in progress, planned Resource assignments

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Figure 2-11 Importing Project Data

Different filters can be applied to each project/snapshot within a workbook. Additionally, the default hours per day can be set. This is used when converting the default duration units for displaying durations in Acumen Fuse.

2.6 Alternate Scenario Analysis by Including/Excluding Projects

While a Fuse workbook can contain an unlimited number of projects and snapshots, you can control which of these projects/snapshots get included in a Fuse analysis. To include/exclude projects from a Fuse analysis, use the checkboxes to the right of the project icons in the projects list.

Include/exclude from Fuse analysis

Figure 2-12 Including/Excluding Projects from a Fuse analysis

2.7 Setting Display Units

Once imported, workbook duration and work data can be displayed in either days or hours. Irrespective of the display units selected, the analysis engine will always calculate results to the nearest minute.

Figure 2-13 Display Time Units

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2.8 Displaying projects, Snapshots & Scenarios in Timeline Mode

Select activities can be added to a graphical timeline view in the projects tab. This is useful for looking at the big picture within a project as well as comparing a project to its respective snapshots or scenarios (see section 14.2 for definition of scenarios). 2.8.1 Adding Activities to the Timeline View To add activities to the timeline view, use the Filter option to select activities to be included. The filter editor filters activities but does not add activities to the timeline. Instead, use the filter options in combination with the checkboxes in the activity list to assign activities to the timeline. The Select All button is a fast means off adding multiple activities once your filter selection has been made. The four filter types can be used in any combination: Activity Status filter by planned, in progress, complete Activity Type filter by all activity types Critical filter by activities on or off the critical path Changes used when selecting only those activities that have changed in a snapshot/scenario comparison. The fields listed in the changes list are those from the forensic analysis. Useful when only wanting to see specific activities that changed.

Figure 2-14 Adding Activities to the Timeline View

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2.8.2 Displaying the Timeline View

Once the activities have been selected, click on the Timeline view to display the activities. Each project/snapshot/scenario is shown in its own timeline. The timeline can be scaled and zoomed using the zoom feature at the bottom of the view.

Figure 2-15 the Timeline View

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3 CUSTOM FIELD MAPPINGS

3.1 Introducing Field Mapping

With the ability to import from multiple platforms comes the ability to also customize which fields are imported into a workbook. Each supported platform (e.g. MS Project and Primavera) has default field mapping templates. These defaults mean that unless you need to change the default behavior of an import, you can import project data without manually having to create or maintain field mappings. However, if you want to change the way fields are imported and/or want to import additional fields that are not part of the standard field mapping templates, then you can use the field mapping feature to achieve your custom imports.

List A Source Fields for Project A

Project B Mapped Fields

Fuse Fields

Project A Mapped Fields

Figure 3-1 The Fields View

Figure 3-1 shows an example of the field mapping view. The example shows two projects within a workbook (Project A and Project B). Project A is a Primavera P6 project

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and Project B is a MS Project project. The Fields view is best explained by examining the columns from right to left: The right hand side column contains a list of Acumen Fuse fields. These fields are available during an analysis and can be referenced by metric formulas. The names of the fields can be edited by clicking on the field name and editing the content. The bold field names cannot be edited (but can have customized mappings assigned to them). The center columns (highlighted in figure 3-1 by the blue rectangles are the currently mapped fields. There is a separate column shown for each of the projects/snapshots within a workbook. When linking to a data source, default mappings are assigned based on the platform type. If we examine the Acumen Fuse field called Baseline Work in figure 3-1, we can see that the corresponding default field for Project A (Primavera file) is known as Budgeted Labor Units whereas in Project B, the same field is known as BaselineWork. Based on the default mappings, Acumen Fuse normalizes these fields even though the field names are actually different. Within your workbook, this field is then referred to as Baseline Work. Acumen Fuse field mapping provides the flexibility to have different custom mappings from each of your data sources to a common field in effect, standardizing data from multiple platforms that may have very different data schemas.

3.2 Editing Field Mappings

Field mappings are edited as follows:

Select the data source: before you can map a field, Acumen Fuse has to retrieve all of the available fields for the project in question. To update the available field list, click on the desired project (in figure 3-1) this would be either of the two blue columns showing Project A and Project B. Select the desired field: The source fields are grouped into Standard, User Defined and Code fields. Click on the relevant header to reveal the fields for the required field type. Assign the field: drag-drop the required field to either an existing Acumen Fuse field or a blank row to create a completely new field in your workbook.

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Figure 3-2 Creating Custom Field Mappings

When adding a new source field to your list of fields, by default, Acumen Fuse adopts the same field name as that of the source. However, fields can be renamed by editing the field name directly within the table. The exception to this rule is the list of Fuse fields that are highlighted in bold type (ID, Description, Critical, Percent Complete, Start, Finish).

3.3 Editing Field Names

3.4 Deleting Fields

Any of the non-bold type faced Fuse fields can be deleted by clicking on the Activity Fields > Delete.

3.5 Deleting Field Mappings

Field mappings can be deleted without deleting the field itself. This is useful when you no longer want to import a specific field that has previously been mapped. To delete a field mapping:
Click on desired the mapped source field Click the Mapped Field > Delete button

Figure 3-3 Deleting Custom Field Mappings

In order to draw activities and ribbons in the ribbon analyzer view, only the Start and Finish fields need to contain valid data. In reality though, in order to obtain useful

3.6 Minimum Fields Required

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results from the analysis, at a minimum, the standard default mapped fields should be populated.

3.7 Working with Field Types

The custom field mapping enables fields of different types to be matched with each other. During analysis Acumen Fuse determines how to treat a field (type) based on the data and context within which it is being used. Such flexibility allows, for example, a user defined number field to be mapped as a text field in Acumen Fuse.

3.8 Mapping a Field to Multiple Data Sources

If your workbook contains multiple projects/snapshots, you can map a single field (standard, user, code) to all projects/snapshots in a single click (rather than having to repeat the field mapping process manually to each project). To do this:
Select the required field Click on Map to All Projects

Figure 3-4 Map to All Projects

3.9 Map all Code Fields for this Project

If you need to map all code fields from a source project/snapshot, you can use the Source Fields > Map All Code Fields to assign all code fields to the workbook in a single click. By default, all code fields are auto mapped during an import. This feature can be disabled in the Options menu of Fuse.

3.10 Map all Code Fields for all Projects

If you need to map all code fields from a source project/snapshot to multiple projects, you can use the Source Fields > Map All Code Fields for all Projects to assign all code fields all the projects in the workbook in a single click. Fuse will map all common codes within each source file to all projects within the workbook. By default, all code fields are auto mapped during an import. This feature can be disabled in the Options menu of Fuse.

3.11 Map all User fields for All Projects

If you need to map all User fields from a source project/snapshot to multiple projects, you can use the Source Fields > Map All User Fields for all Projects to assign all user 41 | P a g e

fields to the workbook in a single click. By default, all user fields are not mapped during an import. This feature can be enabled in the Options menu of Fuse.

3.12 Load Default Mapping

To reset field mappings within a workbook, click on the Load Default Mapping

3.13 Field Mapping Context

Each workbook contains its own field mapping template. Each project/snapshot within a workbook also has its own mapping values back to the fields within the workbook template.

3.14 Mapped Fields and Metrics

In order for metrics to produce valid calculations, the fields referenced in the metric definition need to be present in the workbook. The default field mapping templates include the required fields for the standard metric libraries to be run.

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4 MANAGING METRICS
4.1 Introducing Acumen Fuse Metrics
The Acumen Fuse analysis engine uses libraries of metrics to run project analytics. These metrics are defined using either basic filters or more advanced formulas that are of the same syntax as those found in MS Excel. Acumen Fuse includes various libraries of metrics. Metrics can be edited using the metric editor. Each metric contains three formulas: 4.1.1 Primary Formula The primary formula is the formula used to calculate the primary result calculated in the analysis (e.g. total cost). 4.1.2 Secondary Formula The secondary formula is the second of two results that can be displayed for a metric after running an analysis. Typically (although not limited to), the secondary metric is used to show the primary formula as a percentage (e.g. cost as a percentage of total project cost). The secondary formula is an optional attribute of a metric. If it is not defined, it will not display in the analyzer windows. 4.1.3 Tripwire Formula The tripwire formula is (optionally) used to determine the individual exceptions that are listed in the Activity Browser. Metrics that dont contain a Threshold formula cannot be used to display activities in the Activity Browser and also cannot be used in the Comparison Analyzer. 4.1.4 Tripwire Threshold A tripwire threshold is a defined value that if exceeded, causes a metric to be classified as triggered. A metric can have multiple trigger points with corresponding color coding for each interval. The threshold editor enables customizable bandwidths or thresholds to be defined, color coded and described.

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Figure 4-1 The Metric Editor

4.2 Metric Definition

Each metric contains three formulas (primary, secondary and tripwire). Each of these three formulas are built using a three level hierarchy: Inclusions: a top level set of filters to exclude specific activities based on type, status and time period Filters: standard filters that further pinpoint specific activities Formula: advanced custom formulas to further specify advanced criteria sets. Inclusions, filters and formula are hierarchical.

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Activity Status e.g. planned, in-progress, complete Activity type e.g. normal, milestones, summary Inclusions Time period e.g. starts or inishes in current time period Filters

Simple ilters based on ields e.g. Actual Start Date > Baseline Start Date Multiple ilters can be added - treated as AND compounds User-deined formulas. Useful when needing OR statements , divisions or other advanced functions.
Figure 4-2 Hierarchical Development of Metrics

Formulas

4.3 Writing Metric Formulas

Acumen Fuse metrics can be developed using either a basic or advanced approach (or a combination of the two): Basic: essentially a filter-based set of metrics that dont require detailed formula definition Advanced: detailed formulas used to define a metric beyond a simple filter Acumen Fuse metric formulas use what is known as array-based formulas in their calculations. These are explained in detail below but enable us to group and aggregate multiple activities together so that results for a ribbon or phase or intersection can be calculated. 4.3.1 Array Formula Types Acumen Fuse metric formulas are based on Single Value Result Array formulas. Single Value Result Array formulas work with a series of data (activities), aggregate it (typically using the likes of SUM, AVERAGE or COUNT) and return a single value to the (ribbon, phase or intersection) analyzer. Array formulas typically return a series of values. For example, in Excel, the formula =Row(A1:A5) returns only a single value (the first value in the list). Instead, an array formula will return all values for A1 to A5. Against the results of an array formula, you 45 | P a g e

typically apply a container function such as SUM or AVERAGE or COUNT. These functions enable you to apply the function to the list of values and return a single value result. Relating this back to Acumen Fuse, a ribbon, phase and intersection all contain one or more activities. In the case of phases and intersections, the activities may span across more than one phase or intersection and so certain data (duration, work and cost field types) gets pro-rated (see chapter 5 for more detail). When metric functions are applied during an Acumen Fuse analysis, they are applied to the ribbon, phase or intersection indirectly being applied to all activities within that segment through the use of an array formula.
Array formula Original Duration = 5 + 5 = 10

Array Formula Original Duration = 5+ 4 = 9

Figure 4-2 Calculation of Array Formulas

4.3.2 Developing Primary Formulas Primary formulas can return any type of numeric or text-based result. To create a Primary formula: Step 1) Define inclusions these are overarching filters that limit which activities get included in the search by type/status/phase. Step 2) Define Filters these are the next level of filters further filtering out specific activities. Many metric definitions can be completed by just using inclusions and filters (e.g. Critical activities). Step 3) Optional formula if additional advanced criteria definition is needed, then select the Advanced mode and define the function using the advanced metric editor.

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Basic Formula Definition

Advanced Formula Definition

Figure 4-3 Basic and Advanced Primary Formula Definition

For both basic and advanced Primary formula definition, formatting of primary formula results is achieved using the Formula Format drop down list. 4.3.3 Developing Secondary Formulas A Secondary formula is additional information shown in a ribbon/phase or intersection analysis window. Secondary formulas are defined in a similar way to how a primary formula is defined. If a secondary formula is to be used to show a percentage, set the Format option to Percentage. There are two ways to create a secondary formula: Simple percentage relative to the primary formula: if the secondary formula is representing a percentage of the primary formula, then there is no need to create complex formulas to create this result. Instead, simply select the relevant inclusions and filters (in order to define the population against which you are going to divide the primary formula in order to calculate the percentage) and then set the mode to Percentage of Primary Formula. A simple percentage secondary formula can be auto- calculated in this mode irrespective of whether the primary formula has been defined in basic or advanced mode. Advanced Secondary Formula: if the required secondary formula is not a simple percentage of the primary formula, then set the mode to Advanced and define the inclusions, filters and advanced formula manually.

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Auto Percentage Mode

Manually Defined Mode

Figure 4-4 Simple Percentage of Primary Formula and Advanced Secondary Formula Definition

4.4 Tripwires

Tripwires are a very useful means of graphically depicting when a particular metric threshold is reached. Acumen Fuse tripwires are flexible with regards to the number of thresholds per metric that can be defined, the type of thresholds (absolute and gradient) and the formulas against which they can be based (primary and secondary). 4.4.1 Tripwire Formulas The tripwire formula is used to determine the individual exceptions that are listed in the Activity Browser. Tripwire formulas must ultimately return a Boolean in the form of either a True or False value. The most commonly used function to return this Boolean is an AND statement. AND functions can contain an unlimited number of conditions. AND(ActivityType=Normal, ActivityStatus=Planned) Tripwire formulas get applied to each activity separately whereas primary and secondary formulas get applied to groupings of activities (depending on the ribbon, phase or intersection context). Tripwire formulas can be created in one of two ways: Auto Calculated by Primary Formula: if the Primary formula was created using the basic mode, you can opt to automatically create the tripwire formula without defining any inclusions, filters or formulas for the tripwire definition. Instead, Fuse will automatically create a Tripwire formula based on the inclusions and filters defined in the primary formula. This mode cannot be used if the primary formula was created in advanced mode. In Auto Calculated by Primary Formula mode, the tripwire inclusions and filters options are disabled as they are not needed in light of the fact these settings are automatically inherited from the primary inclusions and filters. 48 | P a g e

Advanced: This mode enables you to manually create inclusions, filters and advanced functions that together return the required set of activities.

Auto Calculated Mode

Advanced Mode

Figure 4-5 Auto Calculated and Advanced Tripwire Formula Definition

4.4.2 Tripwire Thresholds Each metric includes an optional set of tripwire thresholds. These thresholds are used to graphically show when a defined threshold is exceeded. Tripwire thresholds can be based on either the primary or secondary formula. If the secondary formula is enabled (by checking the checkbox for the secondary metric), then the tripwire threshold is automatically associated with the secondary metric. If this checkbox is not checked, the tripwire threshold is automatically associated with the primary formula. 4.4.3 Defining Tripwire Threshold Scales Tripwire threshold scales can be defined as having any number of intervals. To help with the creation of such scales, use the Tripwire Thresholds > Color Scales menu to automatically create standard scales.

Figure 4-6 Tripwire Threshold Scales

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This option provides three types of standard scale:

Lowest is better creates a scale where the lowest values are preferable Highest is better creates a scale where the highest values are preferable Ideal Value - creates a scale where the middle values are preferable

For each of the three scale types, varying numbers of interval can be created. In addition to using the standard scale types, additional intervals can be added through the Color Scales menu. 4.4.4 Normal and Gradient Scales Threshold intervals can be defined as either normal or gradient. By default, scales are defined as normal. All threshold intervals within a single metric are either normal or gradient-based (they cannot be mixed within a metric). Normal scales behave in an absolute or binary manner that is, a metric result either triggers a threshold or it doesnt. A Gradient Scale behaves differently, in that a metric result, while falling within a given interval, can be represented as being close to an interval boundary. This type of scale is useful when determining how close to a tripwire boundary does a metric result get. When using gradient scales, instead of discrete colors for the intervals being used, gradient scales of color are used (based on where the metric falls in the scale). 4.4.5 Including/Excluding Metrics from Analysis By default, each metric is available in all three analyzers (ribbon, phase, intersection). Optionally, metrics can be excluded from a particular analysis (e.g. phase) if, for example, the context is not valid. Including/excluding metrics from each of the three analyzers is done through the three check boxes in the Applies To menu. Additionally, the Include in New Workbook checkbox enables you to define whether a metric gets automatically added to a view upon creation of a new workbook.

Figure 4-7 Inclusion/Exclusion of Metrics to Analyzers

4.5 Testing Metric Formulas

When creating or editing a metric formula, you can use the Check Formula button to validate the syntax of the formula. Note that when using the check formula button the test calculation is applied to all activities within the workbook. 50 | P a g e

4.6 Commonly Used Functions

The Acumen Fuse metric editor supports all MS Excel functions. The most commonly used formulas are grouped in the Commonly Used Menu.

Figure 4-8 Commonly Used Function Types

4.6.1 IF(logical_test, value_if_true, [value_if_false]) The IF function returns one value if the specified condition is TRUE and returns another value if the specified condition is FALSE.
Logical_test Required - Any value or expression that can be evaluated to TRUE or FALSE Value_if_true - Required -The value to be returned if the logical_test argument evaluates to TRUE Value_if_false Optional - The value to be returned if if the logical_test argument evaluates to FALSE. If omitted then zero is returned

Example: IF(TaskStatus="Inprogress",1,0) returns 1 if the activity status is equal to InProgress otherwise 0 is returned. IF statements can be written in shorthand within Acumen Fuse. If the IF function name and Value_if_true and Value_if_false parameters are omitted, the Acumen Fuse engine will assume that the function is an IF statement returning either a 1 or a 0. e.g. IF(TaskStatus="Inprogress",1,0) can be written in shorthand as (TaskStatus="Inprogress")

4.6.2 SUM(number1, [number2], [number3], [number4], ...) The SUM function adds all the numbers specified as arguments.
number1 Required - The first item that you want to add number2, number3, number4, ... Optional - The remaining items that you want to add

Example: SUM(ActualCost) returns the sum of the Actual Cost.

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4.6.3 AND(logical1, [logical2], ...) Returns TRUE if all its arguments evaluate to TRUE; returns FALSE if one or more arguments evaluate to FALSE. Most commonly used in the Tripwire formula.
logical1 Required - The first condition that you want to test that can evaluate to either TRUE or FALSE. logical2, ... - Optional - Additional conditions that you want to test that can evaluate to either TRUE or FALSE

Example: AND( ActivityType="Normal", ActivityStatus<>"Complete") returns TRUE if the activity type is NORMAL and activity status is not equal to COMPLETE. 4.6.4 MAX(number1,number2,...) Returns the largest value in a set of values.
Number1, number2, ... - are 1 to 255 numbers for which you want to find the maximum value.

Example: MAX(TotalFloat) returns the maximum Total Float. 4.6.5 AVERAGE(number1, [number2],...) Returns the average (arithmetic mean) of the arguments.

Example: AVERAGE(TotalFloat) returns the average Total Float.

number1 Required - The first number for which you want the average. number2, ... - Optional - Additional numbers for which you want the average, up to a maximum of 255

4.6.6 COUNTIF(range, criteria) Counts the number of occurrences that meet a given criteria.
Range - Required - One or more fields that contain numbers. Criteria - Required - A number, expression, or text string that defines which records to be counted. For example, criteria can be expressed as 3, ">3","Normal", or "3".

Example: COUNTIF(TotalFloat,">5") counts the number of activities who have a Total Float value greater than 5.

4.7 Types of Acumen Fuse Field

When creating metric formulas, there are four types of field that can be referenced. These are described below. Formulas are generally written within the context of an activity. By further exposing fields outside of the activity context (e.g. project and workbook), you are able to model how activities relate to and potentially impact other contexts such as project and workbook. 4.7.1 Activity Fields Activity fields are the most commonly used type of field in an Acumen Fuse metric formula. All fields that are defined in the field mapping during a project import are exposed as activity fields in the metric editor.

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4.7.2 Project Fields Some project level fields get automatically imported during a project import. These fields are also exposed for use within metric formulas. When a metric is calculated that contains a project field reference, the specific project field value for the activity in question is used. A single metric calculation may contain activities from multiple projects. In this instance, the appropriate project level field value will be used for each activity (e.g. time now may be different for each of the projects). Project fields include:
Project Start [ProjectStart] Project Finish[ProjectFinish] Project Time Now [ProjectTimeNow]

4.7.3 Workbook Fields Workbook fields are summated values that are calculated at the workbook level (that take into account all activities within the workbook). Workbook fields include:
Workbook Cost (total) [WorkbookCost] Workbook Actual Cost [WorkbookActualCost] Workbook Remaining Cost [WorkbookRemainingCost] Workbook Budget Cost [WorkbookBudgetCost] Workbook Budget Duration [WorkbookBudgetDuration] Workbook Actual Duration [WorkbookActualDuration] Workbook Remaining Duration [WorkbookRemainingDuration] Workbook Duration (total) [WorkbookDuration] Workbook # of Activities [WorkbookNumberofactivities]

4.7.4 Dynamic Fields Dynamic fields have different values depending on the context within which they are being used within an analysis. Period Start and Period End are both dynamic fields. When Period Start and Period Finish are being applied to a phase analysis, Period Start and Period Finish relate to the start and finish of the phase in question. When being used within the context of a ribbon, Period Start and Period End relate to the start and end date of the ribbon. Period Start: [_PeriodStart] Period Finish: [_PeriodFinish]

4.8 Templated Metric Libraries

In addition to editing a metric library within a given workbook, metric libraries can be saved as templates and re-used within other Fuse workbooks.

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4.8.1 Saving a Metric Library as a Template Once a metric library has been customized, you can save it (for re-use) by clicking on the Fuse icon > Save as > Fuse Metric Library Template. This saves the metric library as an XML file that can subsequently used when creating new Fuse workbooks. Metric library files can be stored on file servers and shared between multiple users if required.

Figure 4.9 Saving a Metric Library as a Template

4.8.2 Re-using a Metric Library Template To re-use a Fuse metric library template: Fuse Icon > File > Open > [select the Fuse metric template file]. This will create a new Fuse workbook and automatically inherit the selected metric template library. 4.8.3 Setting a Custom Metric Library as the Default Library In addition to manually applying custom metric libraries through the steps described above, you can also set a custom metric library to be the standard default library for each newly created workbook. From the Fuse icon > Options menu, deselect the Use built-in Metric Library option and then select the desired custom metric library file. This will subsequently be applied to all newly created Fuse workbooks.

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Figure 4.10 Setting Default Metric Library

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4.9 Managing Metrics and Metric Libraries

Both metrics and metric libraries can be re-configured through the use of copy > paste functionality. Using either the Fuse clipboard menu or the right click feature of a metric/metric library, metrics can be copied and moved to different locations within the metric library.

Figure 4.11 Managing the Metric Library

4.10 Metric Weightings for Scorecards

Scorecard totals are calculated using two approaches: Overall scores: (e.g. project scores): based on the number of activities within the dataset that fail one or more of the metric tests (irrespective of weighting) o This method can be modified through the Options window to use weighted scores based not just on the number of activities that fail a test but the total number of metrics that fail a test Individual Activity scores: based on the weighted results of all metrics being applied to the activity In order to calculate these activity scores, the relative weighting for each metric is required. Weightings can be viewed and edited by clicking on the respective metric library folder in the metric editor view. Weightings are based on a +/- 10 point sliding scale. The higher the weighting, the more impact the metric in question has on the scorecard score. By default, metric weightings have been set to the mid point in the weighting scale (i.e. +/- 5 depending on whether a high score is a positive or negative result). Newly created metrics inherit a neutral score until edited by the user. Weightings only apply to activity scores and not project/dataset scores.

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Figure 4.12 Metric Weightings for Scorecard Analysis

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As discussed in previous chapters, Acumen Fuse uses a combination of ribbons and metrics to run a project analysis. The Acumen Fuse engine is a powerful and flexible analytics engine that analyses projects in three dimensions:

5 THE ACUMEN FUSE ENGINE

5.1 Ribbon Analysis

Ribbon analysis is conducted against all activities within a given ribbon. It is typically the starting point for reporting in that it gives a high level overview of exceptions.

Figure 5-1 Ribbon Analysis

5.2 Phase Analysis

For a phase analysis, the Acumen Fuse engine calculates results across ribbons within a specific time slice or phase. This tends to be more complex than a ribbon analysis in light of the fact that activities may span across multiple phases. Figure 5-2 shows a simple sample project with three activities spanning over a four week period. When we analyze the data in Acumen Fuse (figure 5-3) and calculate two basic metrics, cost and schedule, we can see that the Acumen Fuse engine pro-rates both duration and cost based on how the activities span across the four periods. This makes phase-based analysis very powerful in that you can analyze both within and across defined phases accounting for the amount of cost, duration and work that falls into each phase.

Figure 5-2 Simple MS Project Schedule Spanning Four Phases

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Figure 5-3 Phase Analysis

5.3 Intersection Analysis

Intersection analysis only includes activities within a specific ribbon within a specific phase. Figure 5-4 shows an example of two activities in MS Project that overlap with respect to time.

Figure 5-4 Two Activities within MS Project

Figure 5-5 shows the same two activities within Acumen Fuse being analyzed using two metrics original duration and Total Cost. It can be seen that for each intersection, the assigned metric (Total Cost) is being calculated separately.

Figure 5-5 Two Activities within Acumen Fuse

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Analysis Type Ribbon Analysis

Summary Cross ribbon comparison

Details Metric analysis by ribbon enabling cross-ribbon comparisons to be drawn. Metric analysis by phase enabling cross-phase comparisons to be drawn. Trending can also be carried out. Metric analysis for a specific ribbon/phase intersection enabling pinpointing of project hot spots and problem areas.

Phase Analysis Intersection Analysis

Cross phase comparison Specific ribbon/phase analysis

Table 5-6 Three-Dimensional Fuse Analysis Modes

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6 THE ANALYSIS VIEW

This chapter focuses on the main view within Acumen Fuse - the Analysis View. The Analysis View is used to conduct an Acumen Fuse analysis. This view is extremely flexible and provides various modes of analysis that are discussed in this chapter.

6.1 Analysis View Navigation

The analysis view consists of four panels:

Ribbon Browser: flattened project data showing ribbons, activities and phases Ribbon analyzer: graphical/tabular view of analysis results for each ribbon Phase analyzer: graphical/tabular view of analysis results for each phase Activity Browser: tabular/Gantt/scorecard/heat map chart view of activities

Ribbons Ribbon Browser Metrics

Phases

Intersection Analysis

Ribbon Analyzer

Phase Analyzer

Activity Browser

Figure 6-1 The Analysis View

A single workbook can contain multiple analysis views. For example, you may have a analysis view designed for cost analysis and a second analysis view for the same workbook setup for risk exposure analysis.

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6.1.1 Ribbon Browser The ribbon browser is the core of the analysis view. Within the ribbon browser, you create ribbons, segment by phases and apply metrics. The ribbon browser is highly customizable. 6.1.1.1 Ribbons Ribbons are groupings of activities based on a given criteria. By default, ribbons are grouped by project but can be grouped in multiple ways including activity attribute, resource and path. If a workbook contains multiple projects, then a separate ribbon for each of these projects will be shown. Ribbons also contain activities. These activities can be hidden from within a ribbon if desired. Critical activities are shaded in red; non- critical in blue. Normal activities sit beneath summaries and milestones within a ribbon. Ribbons are segmented by phases. Ribbons can be sorted by metric results (by right clicking on the metric header and selecting the sort option). 6.1.1.2 Phases Phases are user definable segments of time against which the Acumen Fuse analysis is run. Phases can be weeks, days, months, quarters, years, custom periods or the entire project duration. 6.1.2 Phase Analyzer The phase analyzer shows the results from an Acumen Fuse analysis for each phase. Multiple metrics can be added to the phase analyzer. The phase analyzer can be displayed as either a table or a chart. 6.1.3 Ribbon Analyzer The ribbon analyzer shows the results from an Acumen Fuse analysis for each ribbon. Multiple metrics can be added to the ribbon analyzer. The ribbon analyzer can be displayed as either a table or a chart. 6.1.4 Intersection Analyzer In addition to running an analysis against a ribbon or phase, Acumen Fuse also enables metric reporting against a single segment within the ribbon browser (i.e. for a specific ribbon within a specific phase). 6.1.5 Activity Browser The Activity Browser shows individual activities. The activities shown depend on which segment of the ribbon or analyzer windows are clicked. There are six modes in which the Activity Browser can be used for reporting. These are described in detail later in this chapter.

6.2 Running Your First Acumen Fuse Analysis

Running an Acumen Fuse analysis is very straightforward. There are only two steps required: 62 | P a g e

6.2.1 Populate your workbook with project data

Create a workbook from within the Projects view Add project(s) by selecting the appropriate icon from Get External Data Import project(s) by clicking on Import Project or Import All Projects

6.2.2 Run Acumen Fuse Analysis

Navigate to the Ribbons view Select desired pre-defined analysis view through tabs at the bottom of the screen Click on the Fuse! button to run the analysis View the results using the analyzer windows and the Activity Browser

Figure 6-2 Sample Analysis Results 6.3 The Ribbon Menu

The Ribbon menu is used to:
Create ribbons flatten and group activities Define phases segment by custom time periods Run Acumen Fuse analysis Run Comparison Analysis Change analysis view options

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Figure 6-3 The Ribbon Menu

Ribbons can be created using one of four techniques. In all four instances, the purpose of creating ribbons is to group project data in order to run a meaningful analysis. 6.4.1 Project/Snapshot Ribbons Project ribbons are the most simple types of Acumen Fuse ribbon. When the ribbon mode is set to Project/Snapshot, a separate ribbon is created for each project and/or snapshot within the workbook. In the case of a workbook containing a single project, a single ribbon is created. This is the default option when opening a analysis view. Project-based ribbons provide a means of running a high level Acumen Fuse analysis against a project or portfolio without drilling down into specific activities or sections of the project(s). Figure 6-4 shows an example workbook containing multiple projects each displayed as a separate Ribbon.

6.4 Creating Ribbons

Figure 6-4 Project-Based Ribbons

6.4.2 Field-Based Ribbons Field-based ribbons are very flexible in that ribbons can be defined through any of the imported activity fields. Common examples of field-based ribbons include:
Critical path-compare analysis results between critical and non critical activities. Activity type differentiate between normal, summary and milestone activities

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In addition to basing ribbons by field, a field-based ribbon can be further defined using one of three modes:
Discrete a separate ribbon is created for each field value. Interval size a variable number of ribbons each defined by a user selected size e.g. cost broken out into multiple ribbons in $50,000 intervals. # of Intervals a fixed number of ribbons are created based on the selected number of intervals. This is useful if creating ribbons by a field that returns, for example, a percentage. Creating ten intervals would result in ten ribbons representing 0 10%, 10 20%, 20-30% etc all the way to 90-100%. Delimiter - Ribbons are created based on period delimiters. This is useful when needing to create ribbons from the likes of a WBS or a hierarchical code field that uses delimiters to designate separation of sections (and level) within a hierarchy.

Figure 6-5 Creating Field-Based Ribbons

Field Ribbons using Interval Size

Field Ribbons using # of Intervals

Field Ribbons using Delimiters

Figure 6-6 Field-Based Ribbons

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6.4.3 Resource Ribbons Resource ribbons provide a rotated view of a project from the perspective resources. By creating a separate ribbon per resource, you are able to quickly see who is working on which activities and more importantly, when. Resource-ribbons are an excellent insight into cost/schedule performance.

Figure 6-6b Resource-based Ribbons

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6.4.4 WBS Based Ribbons WBS Ribbons provide a means of grouping activities by any given level of a project WBS. This is very useful for comparing the quality and performance across WBS elements of a project as well as being able to conduct a project rollup at any level.

Figure 6-6c WBS-based Ribbons

6.4.5 Sorting Ribbons Ribbons can be sorted by metric results by right clicking on the metric header and selecting the sort option. This is an extremely useful technique for prioritizing results once a Fuse analysis has been conducted. 6.4.6 Filtering and Drilling Down through Ribbons Ribbons can also be used as a powerful means of filtering and drilling down into specific sections of an analysis. Any ribbon can be selected as a filter simply by double clicking on the ribbon heading. Executing this action causes Fuse to filter activities for that specific ribbon. Analysis and results only then pertain to the filtered data set. Further, hierarchies of filters can be created. Figure 6.7 shows an example whereby we have firstly ribbonized by location; filtered by a location called Domestic; further ribbonized by contractor; filtered by contractor ACom and then finally ribbonized by activity status.

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Figure 7 Filtered Analysis using Hierarchical Ribbons

Navigation back up through the created hierarchy is straightforward using the vertical navigation strip on the left hand side of the screen. Clicking on the home button takes you back to the unfiltered set of data.

6.5 Defining Date Ranges & Phases

Ribbons are segmented by phases. Each phase is analyzed separately in the phase analyzer. By default, Acumen Fuse will create a analysis view that encapsulates the entire project. Phase definition is fully customizable. The start and end of the analysis view can be defined either by a specific date or event (e.g. start of project or Time Now). Phase intervals can be set to days, weeks, months, quarters, years or single (representing the entire date range as a single phase). In addition, custom phases can be created through the use of the Add Phase menu item.

Phases can also be merged. For example, two adjacent quarters can be merged into a single half year segment. This is achieved by deleting a phase boundary. To do so, hover over the phase header until the delete icon appears. Click on this to remove the boundary and merge the two phases.

Figure 6-8 Ribbon Phase Options

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 Splitting Q3 and Q4 Phases Merged Q3 and Q4 2009 Phases

Figure 6-9 Merging Ribbon Phases

The entire analysis view can be reset to include all activities by clicking on the Reset Dates menu item.

6.6 Applying Metrics

By default, the Analysis View is automatically populated with multiple tabs containing separate views for each of the metric libraries. Each of these views can be edited with regards to adding/removing metrics to each of the three analyzers (ribbon, phase, intersection).

New tab

Figure 6-10 Ribbon Tabs

6.6.1 Adding a Metric to a Analysis View Metrics can be added to any of the three analyzer windows (ribbon, phase, intersection). To add a metric, click on the Metrics tab on the left hand side of the

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analysis view to reveal the list of metric libraries and corresponding metrics within each library. Right click on the required metric and select from the following four options:
Add to Ribbon Analyzer Add to Phase Analyzer Add to Intersection Analyzer Add to All Analyzers

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 Adding Days Remaining metric to the analysis view Days Remaining Metric Added to all Three Analyzers

Figure 6-11 Adding Metrics

An unlimited number of metrics can be added to the ribbon and phase analyzers. Only a single metric at a time can be viewed in the intersection analyzer. 6.6.2 Removing Metrics from a Analysis View Metrics are removed from the ribbon and phase analyzer by right clicking the metric title and clicking on the delete icon. To delete the currently applied intersection metric, hover over the intersection metric title in the top left hand corner of the view and click on the delete icon. 6.6.3 Adding an Entire Metric Library to an Analyzer As well as adding individual metrics to a analysis view, entire metric libraries can be added to a view in a single action. The process is similar to that of adding individual metrics: right click on the desired metric library and choose from the following three options:
Add to Ribbon Analyzer Add to Phase Analyzer Add to Ribbon and Phase Analyzer

Because only one metric at a time can be viewed in the intersection analyzer, it is not possible to add a metric library to the intersection analyzer. Instead assign individual metrics as described above.

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Figure 6-12 Adding Metrics

6.6.4 Adding New Tabs to the Analysis View New tabs can be added with metrics added to each in the same way as described above. New tabs are created by clicking on the new icon on the furthest tab on the right hand side. Tabs can be renamed by right-clicking on the tab and selecting Rename.

6.7 Running an Acumen Fuse Analysis

Once ribbons have been created, an Acumen Fuse analysis can be run. Each time a ribbon definition is changed or a metric added/removed, a new analysis needs to be run. Running an analysis is as easy as clicking the Fuse! menu button (or hitting F9 on the keyboard).

6.8 Viewing & Interpreting Results through Analyzer Windows

Once an analysis has been run, results can be viewed through the three main analyzer windows. These are used to report totals and numbers of exceptions to tripwire thresholds. To drill down further to determine individual activities causing the tripwires to trigger, use the Activity Browser. 6.8.1 Ribbon Analyzer The ribbon analyzer shows metric results for each individual ribbon. By default, the results are shown in a tabular format but can also be viewed as a chart.

Ribbon Analyzer Tabular View Ribbon Analyzer Chart View

Figure 6-13 Ribbon Analyzer

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6.8.2 Phase Analyzer The phase analyzer shows metric results for each individual phase. By default, the results are shown in a tabular format. The phase analyzer is useful for viewing trending information over time.

Phase Analyzer Tabular View Phase Analyzer Chart View

Figure 6-14 Phase Analyzer

6.8.3 Intersection Analyzer The intersection analyzer is slightly different to that of the ribbon and phase analyzer in that only one metric at a time can be reported. However, in the same way as for ribbons and phases, results can be shown in both a tabular and graphical format. The intersection analysis is the most detailed of the three analyzers as it pinpoints exceptions within ribbons and phases combined.

Intersection Analyzer Tabular View Intersection Analyzer Chart View

Figure 6-15 Intersection Analyzer

6.8.4 Analyzer Chart Options When viewing any of the three analyzers in chart mode, the chart type can be modified by using the drop down menu on the chart button. In addition, charts can be set to cumulative and non-cumulative in the same drop down menu. When viewing analyzer results through the use of charts, the colors of the bars and lines relate to the tripwire threshold colors as defined for the metric in question. 73 | P a g e

6.9 Using the Activity Browser

The Activity Browser is used to report specific activities based on a given criteria. Activities shown in the Activity Browser can originate from the following:
Activities irrespective of Tripwire threshold 1. A ribbon (cutting across multiple phases) all activities for a given ribbon. 2. A phase (cutting across multiple ribbons) all activities for a given phase. 3. An intersection all activities for a given ribbon within a specific phase. Activities that trigger a given tripwire threshold 1. Ribbon metric results activities for a given metric segment within the ribbon analyzer. 2. Phase metric results activities for a given metric segment within the phase analyzer. 3. Intersection metric results activities for a given metric segment within the intersection analyzer.

In order to report activities irrespective of tripwire threshold, simply click on the ribbon or phase or intersection header. To report activities that make up the score in the analyzer cells, click on the cell in question. If a metric does not have a tripwire formula defined, the Activity Browser cannot be used to view activities.

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Action

Analysis View

Activity Browser Results

Click on a ribbon description

Shows all activities for the selected ribbon.

Click on a Phase Header

Shows all activities for the selected phase.

Click on a ribbon/phase intersection

Shows all activities for the selected intersection.

Click on a intersection metric

Click on a ribbon analyzer cell

Shows those activities for the selected intersection that triggered the tripwire. Shows those activities for the selected ribbon that triggered the tripwire. Shows those activities for the selected phase across all ribbons that triggered the tripwire.

Click on a phase analyzer cell

Figure 6-16 Activity Browser Results

The Activity Browser can show activities in either a tabular format, a Gantt chart, scorecard or detailed view. Click on the Activity Browser View icons to toggle the view mode. A snapshot of the Activity Browser can also be displayed as a popup window. This is useful when reporting large quantities of data. Click on the popup icon to show the results in a separate window. Results from the Activity Browser can be printed in a tabular or scorecard report by clicking on the print icon. 75 | P a g e

Activities within the activity browser can be shown in five formats: Tabular Gantt Heat map Detailed Scorecard

Activity Browser Tabular mode Activity Browser Gantt mode

Activity Browser Heat Map Activity Browser Detailed mode

Activity Browser Scorecard

Figure 6-17 Activity Browser Modes

6.9.1 Scorecard View within the Activity Browser In addition to viewing results in the Activity browser as either a Gantt or tabular view, you can also view them using a scorecard view. This gives the advantage of totaling metric scores directly within the analysis view.

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Figure 6-17b Activity Browser showing Scorecard Results

6.9.2 Heat Map View Showing activities in the activity browser as a heat map is an extremely powerful visual aid with regards to reporting results. A heat map report uses relative box size and color to distinguish various attributes of activities. Any activity attribute can be used to define box size, color and grouping of heat maps charts. In addition, the number of activities shown in a heat map chart can be defined.

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Figure 6-17c Heat Map Options

Figure 17d shows an example heat map with size of box showing duration, color showing Total Cost, grouped by Critical/Non Critical.

Figure 6-17d Heat Map Example 6.10 Smart-Filtering of Ribbons

The Fuse Analysis View is highly interactive view. As you click on the any of analyzer cells (as described in Figure 6.16), the activities shown within the ribbons are automatically filtered to correspond to the activities in the activity browser.

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Smart filtering of activities

Figure 6-18 Smart-Filtering of Activities based on Analysis Results

6.11 Zooming in/out of Phases

The analysis view provides a quick means of zooming in and out of phases. To zoom into a phase, hover over the phase header and click on the magnifying glass icon.

Analysis View showing Years

Analysis View Zoomed into a specific Year

Figure 6-19 Zooming within Phases

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To zoom out of a phase, hover over the Timeline header and click on the magnifying glass icon to zoom out.

6.12 (Driving) Logic Analysis

The Fuse analysis view can also be used to run a logic analysis. A logic analysis traces the path(s) of activities to and from a given activity. For example, all activity paths leading into a given milestone or instead all activities on the path from a project sanction milestone to the end of the project. Different variations of logic analysis can be conducted in Fuse: paths leading to an activity (trace backwards) paths leading from an activity (trace forwards) paths leading to and from an activity (trace backwards/forwards) paths between any two given activities. In addition to these four types of logic analysis, a further override known as Driving Logic can also be applied. When driving logic analysis is conducted, only those path(s) that are driving the schedule through to completion are shown. This is a very powerful means of pinpointing the key activities in a schedule. When a logic analysis is conducted, the Fuse analysis engine and resultant metric results only reflect those activities that are returned in the path analysis. Logic analysis is trigger either through the Logic menu or by using the three logic trace icons in the Activity Browser. Note: by default, the logic trace runs in driving logic Only mode. This can be changed to show all logic through the logic menu.

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Figure 6-20 Logic Trace Menu

Figure 6-21 shows the three logic trace buttons in the activity browser that can be used as a fastrack means of running a logic trace. Simply select the activity in question and click on one of the three icons to trace forwards, backwards or in both directions.

Figure 6-21 Triggering a Logic Trace from the Activity Browser

Figure 6-22 shows an example of a Driving Logic analysis looking at all driving activities leading into and stemming from an activity called EPC Design. The activities in this path analysis are also shown in the ribbon browser and the results in the ribbon/phase analyzer are reflective of this driving path.

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Figure 6-22 Results from a Logic Trace

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7 COMPARISON ANALYZER
The Comparison Analyzer is a powerful analytical feature within Acumen Fuse. The Comparison Analyzer enables you to compare similarities and differences between two scenarios. The power of this capability lies in the fact that the scenarios that get compared can originate from multiple origins as well as report in different contexts:
Compare the same metric across two different ribbons. Compare the same metric across two different time periods within either the same ribbon or even between different ribbons. Compare two different metrics within the same ribbon or phase. Compare similarities-report activities that havent changed between two scenarios. Compare differences-report activities that have changed between the two scenarios.

7.1 Running a Comparison Analysis

To run a comparison, do the following:
Create scenario A by clicking on any of the following: o Ribbon analyzer cell selects all activities that trigger the tripwire for the selected metric within the selected ribbon (across multiple phases). o Phase analyzer cell selects all activities that trigger the tripwire for the selected metric within the selected phase (across multiple ribbons). o Intersection analyzer cell selects all activities that trigger the tripwire for the selected metric within the selected phase within the selected ribbon. o Phase header selects all activities across all ribbons for the selected phase.* o Ribbon header selects all activities across all phases for the selected ribbon.* Click on the Compare button within the Analyze menu. Create scenario B by clicking on any of the same options as described above for scenario A.

Upon selecting Scenario B, the compare analysis will automatically run. The results are shown in a popup window (see figure 7-1).
*Note: selecting a scenario from either a phase or ribbon header allows you to select activities for a scenario irrespective of whether the activities trigger a metric tripwire.

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 Figure 7-1 Compare Analysis Results

Within the Comparison Analyzer results window, there are three filters that can be applied. This enables you to do further analysis comparing similarities and differences within the two scenarios. By default, all three filters are enabled resulting in three sets of data to be shown:
Present in both: shows those activities that are present in both scenarios. In the case of comparing two scenarios against the same metric, this indicates those activities that trigger a metric tripwire in both instances- i.e. havent changed between the two scenarios. Only present in scenario A: shows those activities that are present in the first scenario but not in the second. In the case of comparing two scenarios against the same metric, this reports those activities that triggered the metric tripwire in the first scenario but not in the second. Typically, this is used to show those activities that were an issue in scenario A that then got addressed and fixed in scenario B. Only present in scenario B: shows those activities that are present in the second scenario but not in the first. In the case of comparing two scenarios against the same metric, this reports those activities that triggered the metric tripwire in the second scenario but not in the first. Typically, this is used to show those activities that werent an issue in scenario A that then became an issue in scenario B. The filters are cumulative and not exclusive. The results from the Comparison Analyzer can be printed using the Print menu button within the popup window.

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8 BENCHMARK ANALYSIS
In addition to calculating metric results in the three analyzer windows, Fuse also has the capability to benchmark metric scores against other scores. Benchmark comparison can be conducted in three dimensions: Compare results between ribbons Compare results between phases Compare results between intersections To enable benchmark comparison, enable the Show Benchmark Comparison button in the ribbon View menu. Once enabled, click on any of the analyzer cells to run a comparison with the selected ribbon/phase/intersection and the other ribbons/phases/intersections. Benchmark comparison results are shown through the use of up/down triangular icons. Red shading indicates a negative comparison, green shading indicates a positive comparison (for the respective cell in question). Figure 9.1 shows an example of benchmark comparison with the Houston ribbon being the selected base scenario against the comparison analysis is being carried out.

Figure 9.1 Benchmark Analysis

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10 LOGIC ANALYSIS
10.1 Overview
Fuse logic analysis provides multiple advanced logic checks on a project(s) including: Analysis of logic types Positive and negative lags (leads) Redundant logic Circular logic Open ends Relationships on summaries Out of sequence status updates Reverse Logic Dangling Activities (Open Start and Open Finish)

Figure 10-1 Various Logic Analysis Options

10.2 Positive and Negative Leads and Lags

This analysis pinpoints all relationship links that are carrying a lag. Negative lags (or leads) are especially of concern within a schedule as they can lead to reverse logic (see later). Likewise, positive lags often result in detail being lost within a schedule during statusing/execution.

10.3 Redundant Logic

The redundant logic analysis pinpoints redundant logic links within a schedule. This is a very valuable feature enabling you to generate and maintain clean schedules that dont contain redundant or overlapping logic. Consider the simple example of three activities, A, B and C, in sequence with FS logic links. In addition, if the schedule in question has a logic link between Activity A and C, then this link is essentially redundant as Activities A and C are already logically tied through Activity B. 86 | P a g e

Figure 10.2 Redundant Logic in a MS Project Schedule

To run a Fuse logic analysis, select the workbook, project or snapshot you want to run the analysis against (in the projects view) and then click on Logic Analyzer to run the logic analysis. Figure

Redundant logic link between Activity A and C

Duplicated logic between Activity A and C (through B) Figure 10-3 Logic Analysis in Acumen Fuse

10.4 Circular Logic

Circular logic analysis checks for paths of activities that loop back on themselves. This is especially of concern in multi-project environments (e.g. multiple Primavera files that reference each other) where circular logic checks can otherwise go undetected.

10.5 Open Ends

Open ends analysis checks for any activities that are missing either predecessors or successors causing the activity to be open ended.

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10.6 Relationships on Summaries

While some scheduling tools allow logic links to be added to summary or WBS elements, it is generally accepted best practice to only logic tie normal activities together so as to retain the ability to re-sort/group activities without having to break the summary logic links. Out of sequence errors occur between activities when the successor activity status contradicts the logic with its predecessor. A simple example being a successor activity starting before its FS predecessor has started.

10.7 Out of Sequence Updates

10.8 Reverse Logic

Reverse logic errors occur when the start of a successor activity starts before the start of the predecessor. Typically caused by negative lags (leads), these reverse logic errors should be avoided at all costs. Dangling activities occur when there are not actually any missing predecessors or successors but as a result of a FF or SF predecessor link (open start) or SS or SF successor link (open finish), the successor ends up with an open start and the predecessor ends up with an open finish.

10.9 Dangling Activities (Open Start and Open Finish)

10.10 Sorting and Grouping Logic Analysis Results

A useful feature in the logic analysis module is the ability to sort and group results. Group results by dragging the column header above the table to create a grouped list of results. Click on a column header to sort.

10.11 Publishing Logic Analysis Results

All logic analysis results can be exported to Excel through the Publish to Excel icon.

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11 FORENSIC ANALYSIS
11.1 Overview
The Acumen Fuse Forensic Analyzer provides a flexible means of comparing differences and pinpointing changes made to two or more schedules, cost estimates or risk models. The analysis can be used to compare updated revisions of schedules (e.g. monthly updates) or can be used to compare differences between, for example, contractual baseline schedules and as-builts during dispute resolution or lessons learned exercises. You can even compare differences (and integrity) between the same schedule developed in different platforms (e.g. MS Project and Primavera). Example analytics include: Added/removed activities Changed activity status Modified logic links Added/changed constraints Updated/changed resources and resource assignments Updated activity costs Updated progress and Earned Value Changed critical/longest path activities An unlimited number of forensic checks can be run in the analysis including changes to code and user defined fields. You can add, sort and group results and then seamlessly publish to the likes of pdf and MS Excel. Fuse Forensic analysis can be used for: Ongoing project surveillance Schedule import/export integrity support Contractor performance tracking Claims Avoidance/Evaluation Expert Witness Testimony

11.2 Setting up a Forensic Analysis

A forensic analysis requires, at a minimum, two or more projects within a Fuse workbook. Additionally, one of the two projects must be designated as a snapshot against the primary project. Creating such a hierarchy is very simple: 1. Create a new Fuse workbook (File > New) 2. Add a primary project to the workbook (click one of the Get External Data icons) 89 | P a g e

3. Add a snapshot(s) to the primary project (select the primary project and then click one of the Get External Data icons to add a snapshot(s) to the parent primary project) 4. Import all data (click on the Import All button to complete the import) Figure 11.1 shows an example workbook containing a single primary project with two snapshot projects (last month and last year snapshots) assigned. This hierarchy will then provide the basis for running a forensic analysis. There is no limit to the number of snapshots than can be assigned to a parent project and subsequently analyzed using the forensic analyzer.

Figure 11.1 Setting up a Forensic Analysis Workbook

11.3 Running a Forensic Analysis

Once a forensic analysis workbook has been setup, you can run the analysis by selecting the Forensic tab in the main Fuse navigation ribbon.

Figure 11.2 Running a Forensic Analysis 90 | P a g e

The forensic analysis provides multiple criteria against which to analyze changes. The following insights are available: Project level changes e.g. changes to status, data dates, cost, duration Added/removed activities Added/removed/modified relationships Added/removed/modified resources Added/removed/modified resource assignments Unlimited number of added/removed/modified activity attributes (e.g. activity type, status, % complete, actual duration, remaining cost, risk etc) The results are shown in a tabular format, which can be modified (sorts, groupings and custom columns). Data can be sorted by clicking on the required field header Data can be grouped by drag-dropping the required grouping field from the table header to the top of the table to create a grouping Absolute and percentage variances are shown for each of the comparison snapshots (compared to the base schedule being compared against). Refer to section 11.4 for details regarding creating new forensic reports/criteria.

Figure 11.3 Sorting and Grouping a Forensic Analysis Report 91 | P a g e

Acumen Fuse Forensic Analysis reports can be published to MS Excel by clicking on the Publish to Excel button in the projects tab.

Figure 11.4 Exported Forensic Analysis Results in MS Excel

11.4 Modifying Reporting Criteria

Additional criteria (and columns) can be added to the Forensic analysis. This is achieved through the Fields tab in Fuse. To modify criteria and/or columns, either: Click on the Fields tab Click on the More button under the Activity Variances menu in the forensics tab

Figure 11.5 Selecting the Modify Fields option in the Forensic Report

Once in the fields view, use the two columns on the right hand side to customize the Forensic report (see figure 11.6): Compare in Forensic Report: creates a new Forensic view that compares differences between the snapshots for the given field 92 | P a g e

Show in Forensic Report: adds the selected column to all activity-based forensic reports (which can then be used for sorting and grouping)

Figure 11.6 Customizing Forensic Columns

Figure 11.7 Customizing Columns and Criteria for the Forensic Analyzer 93 | P a g e

Figure 11.7 shows an example of a newly added Forensic comparison (Percent Complete) with an additional column added (remaining cost). There is no limit to the number of additional comparisons and/or fields that can be added. Even custom fields and Code fields can be included in the Forensic analysis.

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12 FUSE DASHBOARD

The Fuse dashboard provides an interactive overview of project(s) status; schedule quality, metrics, forensics and changes made over time. The dashboard can be run in the context of an entire workbook or a selected project (select a specific project from the project view). The dashboard comprises two types of customizable Widgets General Widgets o Project Status o Activity Status o Forensics o Logic Quality o Status Overview Fuse Analysis Widgets o Customizable widgets driven by the Fuse analysis metrics/views

Figure 12.1 Fuse Dashboard

All widgets within the dashboard can be directly copied to the clipboard using the copy icon in the top right corner of the view.

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12.1 Fuse Widgets

Results from a Fuse analysis created in the main analysis view can be incorporated into the dashboard through Fuse Widgets. Multiple Fuse Widgets can be added to a single dashboard. Fuse Widgets can be customized using the Configuration menu items in the dashboard menu, once a widget has been selected. Options include: View mode: group by ribbons or metrics and display in horizontal or vertical mode Auto Fit automatically fits the data within the Widget to fit the window, eliminating scrolling Copy copies the current Widget to the clipboard Font control of the font side within the Widget

Figure 12.1 Fuse Analysis Widgets

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 13 REPORTING

Acumen Fuse can generate printable reports from within multiple areas: Activity Browser (MS Excel) Comparison Analyzer (MS Excel) Analysis View (MS Excel) Executive Briefing (MS Word and Adobe PDF) Analyst Report (native Fuse report, PDF) Logic analysis (MS Excel) Forensics Analysis (MS Excel) Dashboard (see previous chapter)

13.1 Activity Browser Printing

To print from the Activity Browser window: Select the required activities to display (See Activity Browser section in Chapter 6) Select tabular view (default mode) Optionally arrange, sort and group the columns Click the Print icon in the Activity Browser to print the report

Figure 13-1 Printing the Activity Browser Results

13.2 Comparison Analyzer Printing

Results from the comparison analyzer can be printed by clicking on the Print icon within the Comparison Analyzer window. 97 | P a g e

 Figure 13-2 Printing the Comparison Analyzer Results

13.3 Analysis View Report Generation

The main reporting capabilities lie within the Analysis View. All components of the analysis view listed below can be included in a MS Excel-based report: Ribbons Ribbon Analyzer Ribbon Analyzer Detail Phase Analyzer Phase Analyzer Detail Intersection Analyzer Detail All ribbon data can be published to MS Excel through the publish menu. This provides a means of publishing editable reports and data that can subsequently be used within other applications such as MS PowerPoint.

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 Figure 13-3 Publish to MS Excel

13.4 Executive Briefing

The executive briefing is one of the most powerful reports within Acumen Fuse. The executive briefing consolidates information and results generated from a Fuse analysis and presents them in a descriptive briefing without the need for manual interpretation of the data. The executive briefing consists three sections: Workbook: summary of the overall analysis including cost and schedule characteristics Project: project level summary including characteristics, status, areas of concern Ribbon: detailed analysis of each ribbon including trending An executive report can be created as either an editable MS Word document or a ready to publish Adobe PDF file. The executive briefing is generated from the publish menu icon in the ribbon view.

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 Figure 13-4 Example Pages within the Executive Briefing Report

13.5 Analyst Report

The analyst report is designed to be used as a checklist listing each of the individual activities that fail the various metric tests that have been applied to the view.

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 Figure 13-5 Example of Analyst Report

13.6 Logic Analysis Report

The Logic Analysis report includes a separate tab for each of the various Fuse logic analysis checks. Each exception (activity or logic link) is listed in the report.

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 Figure 13-6 Logic Analysis Report

13.7 Forensics Analysis Report

The forensics analyst report published from Fuse gets generated as a MS Excel file. A separate tab for each forensic check is automatically created in the Excel workbook.

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 Figure 13-7 Example of Analyst Report

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14 SCHEDULE CLEANSER

Acumen Fuse can not only analyze a schedule but can also be used to resolve and cleanse a schedule.

14.1 Running a Schedule Cleanse

A schedule cleanse can be conducted on MS Project and Primavera P6 schedules within Fuse. To run a schedule cleanse, select the project to be cleansed and then click on the Cleanse Schedule button. Select the desired cleanse options and then click OK to create the newly cleansed scenario.

Figure 14-1 Schedule Cleanser

14.2 Scenarios

Rather than updating the source schedule file upon running a schedule cleanse, a scenario is created. A scenario is very similar to the previously described snapshot in Fuse. A scenario is a schedule created directly within Fuse. Scenarios can be compared to their respective parent projects using the forensic analyzer and Fuse analysis views.

Once a cleansed scenario has been created, it can be published back to the (MS Project or Primavera) format from which the original project originated. To publish, select the scenario in question and click on the Publish button to create a file that

14.3 Publishing a Scenario to MS Project and Primavera

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can be imported back into the native scheduling tool. These files are scheduled/CPM time analyzed in Fuse before being published and so have updated early/late dates, float etc.

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15 TYPES OF ACUMEN FUSE ANALYSIS

Acumen Fuse can analyze one or more projects within a single workbook. Through the use of Acumen Fuse Ribbons, you are able to carry out three main types of analysis as described below:

15.1 Single Project Analysis

When a workbook contains a single project, Ribbons can be generated as a single project ribbon or grouped by field or by network path (see chapter 6). This mode of analysis provides a huge amount of slice and dice flexibility within a single project.

Single Project Shown as a Project Ribbon Single Project Shown Ribbonized by WBS

Figure 15-1 Single Project Analysis Mode

15.2 Snapshot Comparison-Trending of a Project over Time

As described in Chapter 3, multiple snapshots of the same project can be included within a workbook so as to run comparisons against a given version of the same project. To run such an analysis, simply include the multiple snapshots of the project in a single workbook and then ribbonize by project. This will result in a separate ribbon being created for each of the snapshots. Metric analysis using all three analyzers can then be used in the normal way. Use the Ribbon and Intersection Analyzers to analyze the characteristics of the portfolio.

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Figure 15-2 Snapshot Comparison Analysis Mode

When comparing snapshots of the same project, the Comparison Analyzer is a useful tool for comparing metrics or phases between each of the snaphots e.g. compare September snapshot with October snapshot to determine if issues are being resolved.

15.3 Multi-Project/Portfolio Analysis

In a similar manner in which multiple snapshots of the same project can be analyzed, multiple projects within a given program or portfolio can also be ribbonized. Import multiple projects (even from multiple platforms) into a single workbook and ribbonize by project. Use the Ribbon, Phase and Intersection Analyzers to analyze the characteristics of the portfolio. In addition, use the Comparison Analyzer to compare metric results across projects.

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Figure 15-3 Portfolio Analysis Mode

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16 The Fuse Application Programming Interface (API)

Fuse provides a powerful and flexible Application Programming Interface (API). This API can be used for: Custom reporting Integration with 3rd party applications Exporting schedule data to custom formats Integrating with web-services Integrating with third party reporting tools such as Crystal reports Publishing Fuse results to portals such as MS SharePoint All of these custom reports/applications can be added into Fuse and launched through custom Publish menu items.

Figure 16.1 Example Custom API integration

More information about the Fuse API can be found at http://www.projectacumen.com/fuse/information/api

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17 FUSE 360 GOAL-BASED OPTIMIZATION

Fuse 360 is a goal-based optimization add-on module within the Fuse platform. It is used to accelerate or compress project schedules using an advanced optimization technique. It is a powerful decision support tool that automates an otherwise very lengthy manual schedule review process.

17.1 How does a Fuse 360 Analysis Work?

Fuse 360 runs a CPM simulation running hundreds of iterations progressively accelerating the project towards a defined goal using sets of user-definable criteria. Steps for Running a 360 Analysis Define your goal e.g. accelerate by 3 weeks Define your criteria for acceleration e.g. focus on engineering tasks Run the analysis Compare the results use forensics, timeline, analysis views

17.2 Defining a Goal

Defining a goal in Fuse 360 can be done in several ways: Define the number of days acceleration Define a target goal date Define a percentage acceleration Let Fuse 360 determine the best possible date possible 17.2.1 Project Goal To define a goal relative to the end of the project, use the Accelerate Schedule tab in the Fuse 360 window shown in figure 17.1. Use the goal options (date field or sliding scale) to set the target goal for the acceleration.

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Figure 17.1 Defining a Project Goal in Fuse 360

17.2.2 Activity Goal To define an acceleration goal for a specific activity, use the Accelerate Activity tab in the Fuse 360 window shown in figure 17.1. Select the activity against which the acceleration needs to be conducted (e.g. accelerate completion of construction) by using the activity selector. Use the goal options (date field or sliding scale) to set the target goal for the activity acceleration.

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Figure 17.2 Defining an Activity Goal in Fuse 360

17.3 Advanced Settings

Fuse 360 automatically determines the appropriate level of granularity to apply during an analysis. This is calculated based on the complexity of logic, number of activities, remaining duration and aggressiveness of the acceleration. This can be manually overridden so that an even more accurate or alternately, a faster but less accurate model can be run. 112 | P a g e

Figure 17.3 Advanced Acceleration Settings

17.4 Defining Criteria Sets (Scripts)

Criteria Sets are contained in what are known as scripts. Scripts contain steps, which are the definitions for rules and filters for the analysis. Scripts can be edited from either the Scripts tab in Fuse or by clicking the Edit Script button in the Fuse 360 window.

Figure 17.4 Script Editor

Scripts can be exported from a Fuse workbook and re-used within other workbooks. Additionally, the default script can be set in the Fuse options window. Scripts can also be merged with other script libraries using the merge feature. 113 | P a g e

17.4.1 Defining Steps Define steps through the Steps Editor. Steps define how a schedule optimization is conducted. A step can define the following: Reduce duration Reduce predecessor lag Reduce successor lag Change calendar Remove constraints A step also defines the priority for applying the acceleration action. This can be defined as: Earliest earliest activities in the selection Latest latest activities in the selection Longest longest duration activities Easiest Fuse can use an advanced technique for determining the activities with the least amount of resistance during the acceleration simulation. 17.4.2 Defining Filters within Steps Filters are used to control which activities the steps get applied to. A single step can contain one or more filter sets. A single filter set can be a compound filter (AND statements). Multiple filters within a step enable an OR set of filters to be created. This provides a means of generating hybrid and hierarchical AND/OR filter sets. Define filters by clicking on the Create Filter Set icon and then define the field and associated value within the filter. The most common filter use is to create a filter by WBS. If selecting a WBS, then all activities within the selected WBS are included (i.e. the selected WBS is assumed to be the parent). Figure 17.5 shows an example of a filter that defines all activities within the WBS grouping called Commissioning where the contractor is ACom.

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Figure 17.5 Filter Definition within a Step

17.5 Working with Script Templates

Steps are applied to a script by drag-dropping the steps from the step library into the script timeline. Steps within a script can be re-ordered by re-arranging the steps in the timeline. The timeline defines the order in which the steps are applied during the simulation.

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Figure 17.6 Working with Criteria Set Scripts

17.6 Running a 360 Analysis

1. Optionally select schedule cleanse options prior to running an analysis. This will enable the simulation to create a more naturally flowing and realistic schedule 2. Select the goal (activity or project) options 3. Select the criteria script against which the analysis is to be run 4. Hit the OK button to run the simulation Figure 17.7 shows an example of the results from a Fuse 360 acceleration. The results show: Number of iterations run (either the maximum number of runs or the number needed to reach the goal or the number of runs before the criteria in the script were exhausted) Original, targeted and achieved goal dates Targeted and achieved acceleration Total activity reduction total number of activity days reduced Schedule Compression efficiency - an index showing how efficient the acceleration is (see white paper on Acumen website for further explanation of this metric). The results window also shows whether or not the target has been achieved or partially achieved. 116 | P a g e

 Once an analysis has been run, opt to add the scenario; add the scenario and try another script; add the scenario and view the changes in forensics or add the scenario and compare in the Fuse analysis view.

Figure 17.7 Results from a Fuse 360 Acceleration

17.7 Analyzing the Results

Results from a Fuse 360 analysis can be analyzed using any of the standard analysis features within Fuse including Forensics, timeline view and the Fuse analysis view. Fuse 360 includes a metric library called Scenario Comparison that contains a set of metrics pertaining to scenario comparison analysis.

Figure 17.8 Results from a Fuse 360 Acceleration

17.8 Publishing Scenarios

Fuse 360 accelerated scenarios can be published to MS Project And Primavera using the publish button in the projects view.

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18 STANDARD FIELD MAPPINGS

Acumen Fuse includes standard field mappings for each of the supported platforms. These are listed below. Additional custom field mappings can be created using the Fields view.
Acumen Field ID Description Activity Type Critical MS Project ID Name Calculated Critical Primavera P6 Activity ID Activity Name Activity Type Critical Primavera Risk Analysis ID Description Task Type Critical Deltek Cobra ID Description Calculated NA Open Plan Activity ID Activity Desc. Activity Type Critical_Activity UN/CEFACT ProjectScheduleTas k.Name ProjectScheduleTas k.Description ProjectScheduleTas k.TypeCode ProjectScheduleTas k.CriticalPathIndicat or TotalDurationMeas ure ProjectScheduleTas k.RemainingDuratio nMeasure ProjectScheduleTas k.CalculatedComple tionPercent CurrentScheduledB asePeriod.Start CurrentScheduledB asePeriod.Finish ActualScheduledBas ePeriod.Start ActualScheduledBas ePeriod.Finish TargetScheduledBa sePeriod.Start TargetScheduledBa sePeriod.Finish EarliestScheduledB asePeriod.Start

Original Duration Remaining Duration

Duration Remaining Duration

Original Duration Remaining Duration Calculated

Original Duration Remaining Duration Percent Complete

NA NA

Original Duration Computed Remaining Dur. Calculated

Percent Complete

% Complete

NA

Start Finish Actual Start Actual Finish Baseline Start Baseline Finish Early Start Early Finish

Start Finish Actual Start Actual Finish Baseline Start Baseline Finish Early Start

Start Finish Actual Start Actual Finish Planned Start Planned Finish Early Start

Start Finish Actual Start Actual Finish Baseline Start Baseline Finish Early Start

Start Calculated NA NA NA NA NA

Early Start Early Finish Actual Start Actual Finish Baseline Start Baseline Finish Early Start

Early Finish

Early Finish

Early Finish

NA

Early Finish

Total Float

Total Slack

Total Float

TotalFinshFloat

NA

Total Float NA Calculated Calculated ETC Calculated Calculated

Baseline Work Actual Cost Budget Cost Remaining Cost Total Cost Number of Predecessors Number of Successors

Baseline Work Actual Cost Baseline Cost Remaining Cost Cost Calculated Calculated

Budgeted Labor Units Calculated Calculated Calculated Calculated Calculated Calculated

Calculated Cost[Actual] Cost[Budget] Cost[Remaining] Cost[Total] Calculated Calculated

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

EarliestScheduledB asePeriod.Finish ProjectScheduleTas k.TotalFloatDuratio nMeasure NA NA NA NA NA Calculated Calculated

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Calculated

Number of FF Predecessors Number of SF Predecessors Number of SS Predecessors Number of Lags Number of Leads Project Start Project Finish Project Time Now Activity Status Activity Constraint WBS Code WBS Name

Calculated Calculated

Calculated Calculated

Calculated Calculated

NA NA

Calculated Calculated

Calculated Calculated

Calculated Calculated

Calculated Calculated

Calculated Calculated

NA NA

Calculated Calculated

Calculated Start Date Finish Date Status Date Status Constraint Type Outline Number

Calculated Start Finish Data Date Activity Status Primary Constraint WBS

Calculated Start Data Date Finish Calculated Constraint Type Work Breakdown Structure

NA NA NA NA NA NA WBS Code

Calculated Project Start Scheduled Finish Time Now Progress Type Calculated NA

Calculated ProjectScheduleTas kRelationship.LagTi meMeasure Calculated NA NA NA Calculated NA NA

Outline Number

WBS Name ACWP BCWP(EV) Calculated EAC NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

ACWP (AC) BCWP (EV) BCWS (PV) EAC LIKELY CAM-EAC PLAN_ACC ETC MOD OTB REPLAN WORST Risk Input - Duration Description Risk Input - Duration LowerPcent Risk Input - Duration Max Risk Input - Duration Mean Risk Input - Duration Min Risk Input - Duration MostLikely Risk Input - Duration MostLikelyPcent Risk Input - Duration Notes Risk Input - Duration Risk Distribution Risk Input - Duration

ACWP BCWP BCWS EAC NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

Work Breakdown Structure Calculated NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Calculated Calculated Risk input- Duration Maximum Risk input- Duration Mean Risk input- Duration Minimum Risk Input - Duration MostLikely Calculated Risk Input - Duration Notes Calculated Calculated

WBS Name

NA

NA

ACWP (AC) BCWP (EV) BCWS (PV) EAC LIKELY CAM-EAC PLAN_ACC ETC MOD OTB REPLAN WORST NA NA NA NA

NA Calculated NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA NA

NA NA

NA NA

NA NA

NA NA

NA NA

NA NA

NA NA

NA

NA NA

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NA

RiskFunction Risk Input - Duration RiskId Risk Input - Duration RiskOn Risk Input - Duration Shape Risk Input - Duration StdDeviation Risk Input - Duration UpperPcent Risk Input - Probabilistic Description Risk Input - Probabilistic Notes Risk Input - Probabilistic RiskFunction Risk Input - Probabilistic RiskId Risk Input - Probabilistic RiskOn Risk Input - Probabilistic Links Description Risk Input - Probabilistic Links Notes Risk Input - Probabilistic Links RiskFunction Risk Input - Probabilistic Links RiskId Risk Input - Probabilistic Links RiskOn Risk Input - Task Existence Description Risk Input - Task Existence Notes Risk Input - Task Existence RiskFunction Risk Input - Task Existence RiskId Risk Input - Task Existence RiskOn Risk Input - Task Existence Probability P50 Start P80 Finish P50 Finish P50 Cost P80 Cost Risk Output - CostSensitivity Risk Output - CostStdDeviation

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

Calculated Calculated Calculated Calculated Calculated Calculated Calculated Calculated Calculated Calculated Calculated Risk Input - Probabilistic Links Notes Calculated

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

Calculated

NA

NA

NA

NA NA NA NA NA NA

NA NA NA NA NA NA

Calculated Calculated Risk Input - Task Existence Notes Risk Input - Task Existence Function Calculated Calculated

NA NA NA NA NA NA

NA NA NA NA NA NA

NA NA NA NA NA NA

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

Risk Input - Task Existence P50 Start P80 Finish P50 Finish P50 Cost P80 Cost Risk Output - CostSensitivity Risk Output - CostStdDeviation

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

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Risk Output CriticalityIndex

NA

NA

Risk Output CriticalityIndex

NA

NA

NA

Risk Output - Duration Cruciality Risk Output - DurationStdDeviation Risk Output DurationSensitivity Risk Output MeanCost Risk Output MeanDuration Risk Output - MeanFinish Risk Output MeanStart Risk Output - PercentageTaskExisted Risk Output - ScheduleSensitivityIndex

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA NA NA NA NA

NA NA NA NA NA

NA NA

NA NA

Risk Output - Duration Cruciality Risk Output - DurationStdDeviati on Risk Output DurationSensitivity Risk Output MeanCost Risk Output MeanDuration Risk Output - MeanFinish Risk Output MeanStart Risk Output - % Iterations Existed Risk Output - ScheduleSensitivityI ndex

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA NA NA NA NA

NA NA NA NA NA

NA NA NA NA NA

NA NA

NA NA

NA NA

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19 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Acumen Fuse is a Windows application. It requires no backend database installation. System requirements as follows:-
Windows XP SP2, Windows Vista, Windows 7 (32 and 64 bit versions supported) MS .net runtime version 4.0 (included as part of Acumen Fuse installer) Minimum 1GB RAM, recommended 2GB RAM Hard drive space required: 80MB

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20 INSTALLATION

Acumen Fuse is installed from an on-line virtual DVD. The Acumen Fuse installer uses Microsoft ClickOnce technology which provides a seamless means of installing and maintaining updates to Acumen Fuse without the need for complex and often prohibitive administrative rights to your computer. To install Acumen Fuse, simply point your web browser to http://projectacumen.com and navigate to the install page. Upon installation, you will be asked to review the license agreement. Upon acceptance, you will be prompted for a valid Acumen Fuse license key. Upon successful validation, you will be ready to run Acumen Fuse. Acumen Fuse includes sample files and documentation. These can be found in the Acumen Fuse folder within your Documents folder on your PC.

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21 AUTOMATIC UPDATES
Fuse checks for both required and recommended updates each time the application runs. Using ClickOnce, this is a quick and easy means of ensuring you have the latest compatible version of Fuse installed. An internet connection is required in order to receive these updates. Automatic updates can be disabled in the Options menu of Fuse.

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