Step 1: Setting Up a New Project

1.1 Open Primavera P6

 Launch Primavera P6 Professional and log in with your credentials.

 Select File > New to create a new project.

1.2 Enter Project Information

 Project ID: A unique identifier (e.g., "PRJ001").

 Project Name: A descriptive name (e.g., "Building Construction Phase 1").

 Start Date: The project’s official start date.

 Planned Finish Date (optional): Estimated completion date.

1.3 Assign the Project to an EPS (Enterprise Project Structure)

 If you're working in an organization, your project will be part of a hierarchical EPS structure.

 Select the appropriate EPS node (or create a new one).

1.4 Choose the Project Calendar

 Primavera P6 uses calendars to determine working and non-working days.

 Go to Project > Calendars and choose from:

o Standard Calendar (Monday–Friday, 8 hours per day).

o 24-Hour Calendar (for projects running 24/7).

o Custom Calendar (if the default options don’t fit your schedule).

✔ Click Finish to create the project.

Step 2: Define the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

2.1 What is the WBS?

The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is a hierarchical breakdown of your project into smaller,
manageable sections.

2.2 Create a WBS

 Navigate to Project > WBS.

 Click Add (+) to create a new WBS level.

 Name each WBS level (e.g., "Site Preparation," "Foundation," "Superstructure").

  Structure the WBS to reflect the phases of your project.

✔ The WBS helps organize activities and makes reporting easier.

Step 3: Add Activities

3.1 What Are Activities?

Activities are individual tasks within the WBS. Each activity has a duration and may have dependencies.

3.2 Adding Activities

 Go to the Activities tab and select the WBS level where the activity belongs.

 Click Add (+) to create a new activity.

 Enter the following details:

o Activity ID (e.g., "A101")

o Activity Name (e.g., "Excavation Work")

o Duration (e.g., 10 days)

o Calendar (inherits from project but can be changed)

o Type (Task Dependent, Level of Effort, etc.)

✔ Add all necessary activities before moving to the next step.

Step 4: Define Activity Relationships (Dependencies)

4.1 Understanding Dependencies

Tasks in Primavera P6 must be linked logically. The four main types of relationships are:

1. Finish-to-Start (FS) – Task B starts when Task A finishes.

2. Start-to-Start (SS) – Task B starts at the same time as Task A.

3. Finish-to-Finish (FF) – Task B finishes at the same time as Task A.

4. Start-to-Finish (SF) – Rarely used. Task B must start before Task A can finish.

4.2 Assigning Relationships

 Select an activity and go to the Predecessors tab.

 Click Assign (+) and choose the preceding activity.

 Set the appropriate dependency type (FS, SS, FF, SF).

 Repeat the process for Successors (tasks that follow the current activity).
✔ Tip: Always check for loops (circular dependencies) and logical sequencing.

Step 5: Assign Resources

5.1 What Are Resources?

Resources in Primavera P6 include:

 Labor (e.g., engineers, construction workers)

 Material (e.g., cement, steel)

 Equipment (e.g., cranes, excavators)

5.2 Defining Resources

 Go to Enterprise > Resources.

 Click Add (+) and enter:

o Resource ID

o Resource Name

o Resource Type (Labor, Material, Equipment)

o Standard Rate (cost per hour/day).

5.3 Assigning Resources to Activities

 Select an activity and go to the Resources tab.

 Click Assign (+) and choose the required resource.

 Set work hours and costs based on availability.

✔ Resource assignments help with cost estimation and workforce planning.

Step 6: Schedule the Project

6.1 Running the Schedule

 Click F9 or go to Tools > Schedule.

 Choose the Data Date (today’s date or a future date).

 Click Schedule to generate the project timeline.

6.2 Understanding the Critical Path

 The Critical Path shows the sequence of tasks that determines the shortest time to complete
the project.
  To view the Critical Path:

o Go to View > Gantt Chart and highlight the critical activities.

✔ If any task on the critical path is delayed, the whole project will be delayed.

Step 7: Set a Baseline

7.1 What is a Baseline?

A baseline is a snapshot of your original project schedule. It helps compare planned vs. actual progress.

7.2 Setting the Baseline

 Go to Project > Maintain Baselines.

 Click Add (+) to create a new baseline.

 Click Assign to apply the baseline to the project.

✔ The baseline helps track deviations from the original plan.

Step 8: Track Progress & Update the Schedule

8.1 Updating Activities

 Select an activity and update:

o Actual Start Date

o % Complete (e.g., 50% finished)

o Remaining Duration (e.g., 5 days left)

o Actual Finish Date (once completed).

✔ Regular updates help keep stakeholders informed.

8.2 Generating Reports

 Use Gantt charts and built-in dashboards to analyze progress.

 Export reports to Excel, PDF, or Primavera Web for management review.

Next Steps

✔ Practice with a sample project in Primavera P6.

✔ Learn advanced features like Earned Value Management (EVM) and Risk Analysis.
✔ Consider taking an online course for structured learning.
Example 1: Earned Value Management (EVM) in Primavera P6

Scenario

You are managing a building construction project with three activities:

1. Excavation (5 days, $10,000)

2. Foundation (10 days, $20,000)

3. Framing (15 days, $30,000)

The total Budget at Completion (BAC) = $60,000. After 10 days, we will check project performance using
EVM.

Step 1: Enter Project Activities

 Create a new project and add three activities.

 Assign a 5, 10, and 15-day duration to each task.

Step 2: Assign Cost to Each Activity

1. Go to the Resources tab.

2. Assign the following budgeted costs:

o Excavation: $10,000

o Foundation: $20,000

o Framing: $30,000

3. Save the project.

Step 3: Set a Baseline

1. Go to Project > Maintain Baselines > Add Baseline.

2. Assign the baseline to track planned vs. actual progress.

Step 4: Update Project Progress (After 10 Days)

1. Excavation is 100% complete.

2. Foundation is 50% complete.

3. Framing has not started.

Step 5: Calculate EVM Metrics

 Planned Value (PV) = Work scheduled up to Day 10

o Excavation ($10,000) + Foundation 50% ($10,000) = $20,000

 Earned Value (EV) = Work actually completed

 o Excavation ($10,000) + Foundation 50% ($10,000) = $20,000

 Actual Cost (AC) = Cost spent so far

o Excavation ($10,000) + Foundation 50% ($12,000) = $22,000

Now, calculate performance:

 Schedule Performance Index (SPI) = EV / PV = 20,000 / 20,000 = 1.0 (On Schedule)

 Cost Performance Index (CPI) = EV / AC = 20,000 / 22,000 = 0.91 (Over Budget)

📊 Conclusion:

 The project is on schedule but over budget due to higher-than-expected foundation costs.

 To fix this, optimize resource usage for the next phase.

Example 2: Risk Management in Primavera P6

Scenario

During the foundation phase, there is a 30% probability of bad weather causing a 5-day delay.

Step 1: Define the Risk

1. Open the Risks tab in Primavera P6.

2. Click Add Risk (+) and enter:

o Risk Name: "Bad Weather Delay"

o Category: "Weather"

o Probability: 30%

o Impact: 5 days delay

Step 2: Link the Risk to an Activity

1. In the Risk Details tab, go to Affecting Activities.

2. Assign it to Foundation Work.

Step 3: Create a Risk Response Plan

1. Under the Response Plan, select:

o Mitigation Plan: "Use waterproof covers and adjust scheduling."

o Contingency Plan: "Add 2 extra buffer days in schedule."

2. Save the risk plan.

Step 4: Monitor Risk Impacts

 1. As the project progresses, update actual vs. expected delays.

2. If risk occurs, adjust activities accordingly.

📊 Conclusion:

 If the risk does not occur, the project finishes on time.

 If the risk occurs, the project will be delayed by 3 days instead of 5, thanks to mitigation
strategies.

Setting Up EVM Reports in Primavera P6

Step 1: Open the Reports Tool

1. Go to Tools > Reports > Report Wizard.

2. Click Create New Report and select Project Performance.

Step 2: Choose EVM Data Fields

Select the following key fields for your report:

✔ Planned Value (PV)
✔ Earned Value (EV)
✔ Actual Cost (AC)
✔ Cost Performance Index (CPI)
✔ Schedule Performance Index (SPI)

Step 3: Generate the EVM Report

1. Click Next > Finish to generate the report.

2. Primavera will display a table comparing Planned vs. Actual progress.

✔ Tip: Export the report to Excel or PDF for stakeholder review.

2. Creating a Risk Management Dashboard in Primavera P6

Step 1: Open the Risk Management Module

1. Go to View > Risks to access the Risk Register.

2. Click Customize View to adjust displayed data.

Step 2: Add Key Risk Indicators (KRIs)

Select the following fields:

✔ Risk Name
✔ Probability (%)
✔ Impact (Days or Cost $)
✔ Mitigation Strategy
✔ Linked Activity
Step 3: Visualize Risk Impact on Schedule

1. Go to Gantt Chart View and filter activities affected by risks.

2. If the risk occurs, the affected activity will show delay warnings.

✔ Tip: Use Primavera P6’s Monte Carlo Analysis for advanced risk forecasting.

1. Create a Sample Project in Primavera P6

Step 1: Open Primavera P6

 Launch Primavera P6 and log in.

 Select File > New to create a new project.

Step 2: Enter Project Information

 Project ID: Enter a unique ID, e.g., "PRJ001".

 Project Name: Give it a name, e.g., "Building Construction".

 Start Date: Select a start date, e.g., 2025-02-01.

 Planned Finish Date: Enter a date for project completion, e.g., 2025-06-30.

 Click Next > Finish.

Step 3: Create the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

1. Go to Project > WBS.

2. Click Add (+) to create new WBS levels:

o WBS Level 1: "Building Construction"

o WBS Level 2: "Excavation", "Foundation", "Framing"

Step 4: Add Activities

1. Select the WBS level Excavation.

2. Click Add (+) and create the following activities:

o Excavation: Duration 5 days, Cost: $10,000

o Foundation: Duration 10 days, Cost: $20,000

o Framing: Duration 15 days, Cost: $30,000

3. Click Save after adding each activity.

2. Assign Costs to Activities (for EVM)

Step 1: Assign Resource Costs

 1. Go to the Resources tab.

2. Create a new resource for each type (labor, materials, etc.) and assign them costs.

o Excavation: Resource = Excavation Labor, $2,000/day

o Foundation: Resource = Foundation Labor, $2,500/day

o Framing: Resource = Framing Labor, $3,000/day

Step 2: Assign Resources to Activities

1. Go back to the Activities tab.

2. Select each activity (e.g., Excavation).

3. In the Resources tab, click Assign (+) to assign the corresponding resources.

4. Save after assigning.

3. Set Baseline for EVM

Step 1: Create a Baseline

1. Go to Project > Maintain Baselines.

2. Click Add (+), give it a name (e.g., "Initial Baseline").

3. Select Assign to apply it to the project.

4. Track Progress and EVM Calculation

Step 1: Update Project Status

1. After a certain period (e.g., 10 days), update activity progress:

o Excavation: 100% complete

o Foundation: 50% complete

o Framing: 0% complete

2. Go to the Activities tab and update the % Complete field.

Step 2: Review EVM Metrics

1. Open Reports > Earned Value to view:

o Planned Value (PV) = $10,000 (Excavation) + $10,000 (50% Foundation) = $20,000

o Earned Value (EV) = $10,000 (Excavation) + $10,000 (50% Foundation) = $20,000

o Actual Cost (AC) = $10,000 (Excavation) + $12,000 (50% Foundation) = $22,000

 2. Calculate EVM Metrics:

o SPI (Schedule Performance Index) = EV / PV = 20,000 / 20,000 = 1.0

o CPI (Cost Performance Index) = EV / AC = 20,000 / 22,000 = 0.91 (Over budget)

5. Add and Manage Risks

Step 1: Define a Risk

1. Go to View > Risks to open the Risk Register.

2. Click Add Risk (+) and enter the following:

o Risk Name: "Bad Weather"

o Category: "Weather"

o Probability: 30%

o Impact: 5 days delay

Step 2: Link Risks to Activities

1. Go to the Risk Details tab.

2. Under Affecting Activities, click Assign (+) to link it to the Foundation activity.

Step 3: Risk Response Plan

1. Under Response Plan, select:

o Mitigation Strategy: "Use waterproof covers."

o Contingency Plan: "Add 2 extra buffer days."

6. Generating Reports and Dashboards

Step 1: Create Custom Reports

1. Go to Tools > Reports > Report Wizard.

2. Choose Earned Value and add fields for EV, PV, AC, CPI, SPI.

3. Click Next > Finish to generate the report. You can export it to Excel or PDF.

Step 2: Set Up a Risk Dashboard

1. Go to View > Risks and customize the view to include:

o Risk Name, Probability, Impact, Mitigation Plan.

2. Use Gantt charts to show activities affected by risks (Foundation linked to "Bad Weather").
Conclusion

By following these steps, you'll be able to create a real-world project plan, track performance using
EVM, and manage risks in Primavera P6.