PMO Template Set: Suggestions for challenges with how Schedule Health is calculated?

Holly G

I am struggling with how Schedule Health is calculated in the Project Plan that comes with the PMO template set – it seems misleading and not an accurate reflection of health because:

1. After setting a Baseline, the Schedule Health is still calculated using Target End Date (which is likely a different date than what is in my approved Baseline).
2. Schedule Health is also using the Actual End Date (“End Date”) but we could be past that date and not yet determined the actual end date yet – so the health could be misleading – showing as “green” until I enter the actual date. (In other Project Plan templates – not part of PMO set – the Schedule Health would show “red” if the Baseline End date passed and is not marked as 100% complete.

Am I understanding this correctly? If so, have you or others had issues with this and have suggestions for how I can still use this template (within PMO set) but accurately track and communicate Schedule Health?

Thank you in advance for any additional insight and tips you can share.

Paul Newcome

If you want to track the health differently than what is built into the template then you will need to use a different formula. If you are able to spell out how you would want it to work, we may be able to help with a new formula.

Holly G

@Paul Newcome -- Thank you for your prompt reply. Before I pursue changing formulas from what experts have already provided, could you provide insight as to why the Schedule Health would be based on initial Target End Dates instead of a more recent approved Baseline? Perhaps I just need a different perspective for how I am viewing Schedule Health.

Paul Newcome

There are a ton of ways to leverage baselining and whatnot. One of the challenges with Smartsheet is that it is so flexible that it can sometimes be hard to determine intent.

What is the existing formula, and are you able to provide a screenshot of the sheet?

Holly G

Hi @Paul Newcome -- The formula I am using is what is included in Project Plan with the PMO template set. I am a new user trying to leverage the template, so haven't changed the formula for fear it would impact the portfolio dashboard, etc. Attached is a screenshot of the formula. Thank you.

Schedule Health Formula_Screenshot_2023-07-14.png

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Paul Newcome

It looks like it is built off of the Shedule Delta % column. What's in that one?

I understand that you are a new user and hesitant to change things, but this is what I do for a living (for the past 5 1/2 years). If we change something and you don't like it, I can help you change it back or fix it. I just need to know what it is you're wanting.