10 Primavera P6 Layouts You Must Implement

It can get difficult to analyze the mountain of schedules you’re responsible for and our good friend Jerome Ijachi Odeh pulled together a list of 10 Must-Have Primavera P6 Layouts….ones you probably should be using everyday.

So to help you take advantage of P6’s powerful layout features (like these ones we’ve already told you about), here is a little sneak peek of 10 must-have Primavera P6 layouts you should be using in Primavera P6 with the simple Grouping, Sorting, Filter and Column tools…since, like yesterday. So let’s get started!

Oh, and don’t worry – we’ll show you how to build each P6 layout step-by-step.

Layout 1: Developing Schedules

For starters, when building a new schedule, make sure to use the layout below to have all the key fields clearly visible and easy to find.  The Relationship tab in the Details pane is vital because it’s used to add logic relationships between activities in the schedule.

This layout is grouped by WBS and sorted by Activity ID.

Developing Schedules Layout

Here is how to build the Layout:

 

1. Grouping

Developing schedules grouping

2. Sorting

Developing Schedules Sorting

3. Filter

No filter is applied in this layout so that all activities are displayed.

4. Columns

Developing Schedules Columns

 

Layout 2: Analyzing  Calendars

You need to make sure the right calendars are assigned to activities when working with schedules because of the effect of calendars on Total Float calculations and Activity Dates.

The layout used for analyzing calendars is grouped by Calendar >WBS and sorted by Calendar as you can see below.

Analysing Calendars

 

Here is how to build the Layout:

 

1. Grouping

Analysing Calendars

2. Sorting

Analysing Calendars

3. Filters

No filter is applied in this layout so that all activities are displayed.

4. Columns

Analysing Calendars

 

Layout 3: Analyzing Constraints

Constraints are mainly used for the Project Start milestones, contractual milestones and external milestones. But sometimes they are used within the schedule’s work activities, perhaps with the As Late As Possible constraint, for example.

When reviewing schedules from contractors make sure to check the constraints applied in the schedule to ensure that constraints are not been used in place of schedule logic to drive dates.

The layout used for analyzing constraints is grouped by Primary Constraints >WBS and sorted by Activity ID as you can see below.

Analysing Constraints

Here is how to build the Layout:

1. Grouping

Analysing Constraints

2. Sorting

Analysing Constraints

3. Filter

No filter is applied in this layout so that all activities are displayed.

4. Columns

Analysing Constraints

 

Want More?

For more details, definitions and the rest of the layouts download the eBook 10 Must-Have Layouts in Primavara P6 now and take advantage of these simple steps to making your life a little bit easier when dealing with scheduling and planning in P6.

 

Author:
Michael is an avid project controls blogger and is the Chief Learning Officer here at Plan Academy. Michael has taught 1000s professionals how to use project controls software like Primavera P6 over the past 10 years through his online courses and tutorials. Michael is a member of AACE, the Guild of Project Controls and holds his PMP certification from PMI.