Perform Target/Actual Comparison

Target/actual comparison shows how strongly the current project state deviates from the selected baseline. It is the central evaluation for project controlling in Rillsoft Project.

Variance analysis menu and view

Rillsoft Project can show deviations graphically and in tables. This helps you see not only that a project deviates from the plan, but also which tasks, resources, or cost items are affected.

Prerequisites

Before starting target/actual comparison, check:

Time variance analysis

  • A baseline is saved.

  • The correct baseline is selected.

  • Progress, actual effort, or time entries are maintained.

  • The reporting date is set.

  • Resource and cost data is current enough for evaluation.

Use Variance Analysis

Variance analysis is the entry point for evaluation. It shows deviations between the current state and the baseline for:

  • dates

  • effort

  • costs

Changed values are highlighted in table and diagram. The table places planned state next to current state so you can see whether a problem comes from a date shift, increased effort, or changed costs.

Check Schedule Deviations

Goal: Detect whether tasks, subprojects, or milestones deviate from the planned period.

Use the time deviation view when:

  • a task starts or finishes later than planned

  • the project finish date is endangered

  • a critical task deviates from the baseline

  • you need to see whether a delay affects successor tasks

Check especially:

  • task start and finish

  • critical path

  • dependencies to successors

  • buffer and reserve

  • reporting date and progress line

Check Effort Deviations

Goal: Detect whether actual or expected effort deviates from the baseline.

Use the effort deviation view when:

  • tasks need more work than planned

  • actual effort from time entries is available

  • remaining effort no longer matches remaining schedule

  • resource bottlenecks arise from higher effort

An effort deviation is especially critical when it also affects the schedule or resource utilization.

Check Cost Deviations

Goal: Detect whether resource costs or total costs deviate from the planned state.

Use the cost deviation view when:

  • employee, machine, or material costs are higher than planned

  • increased effort causes additional costs

  • project budget or financing must be checked

  • commercial project owners need deviation analysis

Check Tasks and Subprojects in Detail

If a row in target/actual comparison is conspicuous, open the properties of the task or subproject. There you can check deviations in detail on the tabs.

Cost variance details

For tasks, these tabs are especially relevant:

  • General for start, finish, duration, and effort

  • Costs for resource costs

  • Roles for planned and current role demand

  • Employees for planned and current employee assignment

  • Material, Machine types, and Machinery for non-human resources

For subprojects, also check shared machine types and shared machinery when they are relevant to planning.

Check the Result

After target/actual comparison, you should know for each major deviation:

Variance analysis table

  • What deviates?

  • Since when is the deviation visible?

  • Does it affect dates, effort, costs, or resources?

  • Is a single task affected or a whole project area?

  • Does it create risk for finish date, budget, or capacity?

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