Acumen Fuse is a project analytics and visualization tool that analyzes metrics like cost, schedule, quality, risk, and earned value. It uses "ribbons" to group and simplify project data. The tool provides over 100 customizable metrics and scorecards to improve project planning, execution, and performance monitoring. It also supports compliance with standards like the DCMA 14 Point Assessment. Acumen Fuse integrates data from sources like Microsoft Project, Primavera, and Excel. Case studies demonstrate how it has been used to evaluate bids, develop baselines, track project performance, and analyze portfolios.

1. 1An Introduction toAcumen Fuse™ Dr Dan Patterson PMP, CEO AcumenFebruary 2010

2. Project analytics thought leaderHeadquartered in Austin, TXNorth America presence, global reseller networkPrivately held, strong legacy within PPM spaceSpecialists in project analyticsRisk workshops: world leaderProject assessments, schedule analysisOracle OPN, MS PartnerOracle accredited trainerProject analytics tool: Acumen Fuse™Acumen Introduction

3. What is Acumen Fuse™?Metric analysis & visualization toolCost, schedule, quality, risk, performance & EVPatent pending ribbonsfor visualizationSolutions for resolutionImproves scheduling maturityProvides insight & confidenceProvides control during execution

4. The Need for Acumen Fuse™Project failure is not being overcome“Brain drain” in schedulingMore scrutiny in project investmentsGovernment compliance increasing (e.g. DCMA)Ensuring Project Success with Fuse™Provides “planning intelligence”Self-critique for planners/schedulersPerformance review & audit mechanismIntegrates disparate cost, schedule, risk, EV etcGives project alignment with strategic objectives

5. Analysis RibbonsMeans of flatteningdata, retaining sequenceGrouping activities into higher level entitiesEnables metric analysisbeyond project levelGreat visual aid forsimplifying dataProject RibbonActivity Ribbon(e.g. Critical/ non critical)Path Ribbon

6. Path RibbonsDetermines all paths between any two activitiesGives insight into upcoming complexity, cost, effortPowerful simplification technique Great for figuring out which paths to accelerate

7. Metric AnalyzersRibbon Analyzer: Analysis by ribbon Phase Analyzer: Analysis by phaseIntersection Analyzer: Pinpointed analysisRibbon AnalysisPhase Analysis

8. Metric ScorecardsActivity-based reportCombined metric scores into total scoreCustomizable weightingsAuto generate Scorecards from Metric Libraries

9. Ribbon View

10. Metric LibrariesOver 100 metricsCustomizable tripwiresPowerful metric editor

11. DCMA 14 Point AssessmentSupported within Acumen Fuse™True compliance with “Total Task” definitionAdditional schedule metrics includede.g. Logic densityMerge with other schedule, cost, risk metricsIncludes tripwire metricsFull support for UN/CEFACT XML Schema

12. Types of AnalysisSnapshot: single projectPinpoint specific hotspots by ribbon

13. Pinpoint periods of concern

14. Pinpoint driver activitiesComparison: program/portfolioCompare performance

15. Project selection decision supportTrending: changes over timePerformance trending

16. Timephased comparisonProduct Demos14 Point Schedule AssessmentNetwork Path AnalysisRisk AnalysisPerformance AnalysisPortfolio AnalysisEarned Value Analysis

17. Case StudyEPC projectThree project locationsHouston – engineering, project managementCalgary - engineeringNew Orleans - fabricationThree competing Engineering biddersObjectivesSelect winning bidDevelop achievable detailed scheduleExecute successfully

18. Case StudyBid PhaseOpened up EPC contracts for bidExpected three bidders to replyTarget duration of approx. 3 yearsBidder A came back firstEvaluated planned durationEvaluated quality of scheduleResults807 days duration (way less than 3 years), questionable scope

19. Poor quality schedule: logic, hard constraints, high durations

20. Major issues early on in the schedule

21. Calgary location generally was of poor schedule qualityBid ComparisonCompared Bidder A, B, C & reviewed:Total durationCostQuality of scheduleResults

22. Detailed Schedule DevelopmentScope further defined, schedule developedRisk Assessment workshopValidate risk inputs & review outputs/exposureCreate sound Risk-adjusted baseline for executionResultsEngineering has highest # of aggressive activitiesAggressive activities fall early onAverage risk range peaks in 2011 with constructionConstruction carrying major schedule risk drivers

23. ExecutionTrack schedule performanceTrack cost spendTrack by locationMore non-critical work completed than critical,New Orleans – behind scheduleCalgary – significant cost overrun, cost overrun in early 2009