This paper was originally authored by Greg Gendall of Midori Media and published by Project Magazine in May 2003.
It has since been revised and updated by the present author.
It was submitted for publication by Email, February 16, 2009, and is copyright © David Garland.
Published here May 2009.
Introduction | What is an S-curve? | Resource Consumption | Progress Tracking
Using S-curves | Generating S-curves | Actual versus Target | Analysis | Conclusion

David Garland has over fifteen years experience in developing business software solutions in the construction, defense, and finance industries. He has worked in various capacities on numerous defense ship repair projects since 1995. David's company, Midora Media, is an Australian based company, established in 2003 specializing in developing, marketing, and supporting innovative software solutions, including myPM Merge, a mail merge utility, and myPM SCG, an S-curve generator. David can be reached by Email at info@midorimedia.com, see web site: www.midorimedia.com/.

Introduction

The first time most project managers become aware of the existence of S-curves is when they are requested by the client or senior management to include one in their next progress report. The following explains what the mysterious S-curve is, why it is an important project management tool, and how to generate one.

Editor's Note:

The S-curve is a powerful project management control tool. Why it is the shape it is, how to use it and "Max's Rule of Thumb" for drawing it as a part of the project planning activity are all described in Chapter 10 of A Management Framework for Project, Program and Portfolio Integration. You can also find more information on this web site by entering "S-curve" or "Resource loading" into the site search engine field.

 
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