Tool 103: Major Program Status

AKA

Color Code Audit

Classification

Changing/Implementing (CI)

Tool description

A major program status matrix is used to display and report the status of a major program or project by using a color rating system. It indicates where progress is being made and if a project is on schedule, or where corrective action is required to improve quality or prevent further delays. This status chart is an ideal instrument for updating process owners during a staff meetting or as an attachment to a status report.

Typical application

• To report the status of a major program or project.

• To assist a program manager with the overall management of resources.

• To surface potential problem areas in work-completion schedules or resource allocation management.

Problem-solving phase

	Select and define problem or opportunity
	Identify and analyze causes or potential change
	Develop and plan possible solutions or change
→	Implement and evaluate solution or change
→	Measure and report solution or change results
	Recognize and reward team efforts

Typically used by

	Research/statistics
	Creativity/innovation
	Engineering
2	Project management
	Manufacturing
	Marketing/sales
3	Administration/documentation
	Servicing/support
1	Customer/quality metrics
	Change management

links to other tools

before

• Data Collection Strategy

• Objectives Matrix (OMAX)

• Basili Data Collection Method

• Gantt Chart

• Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)

after

• Countermeasures Matrix

• Presentation

• Project Planning Log

• Barriers-and-Aids Analysis

• Force Field Analysis (FFA)

Notes and key points

• Color coding to reflect major program status is optional. Numeric or symbolic ratings can be substituted for color ratings.

Color coding (rating) example:

Step-by-step procedure

• STEP 1 First, the team establishes a focal point to receive the status of the various programs.

• STEP 2 Representatives from each program team report their program's status to the focal point, often the data analyst who prepares the major program status report.

• STEP 3 The team discusses the overall impact of each report and reaches consensus on the rating to be assigned. See example Military Contract USA-XXXX-X Radar-Mobile.

• STEP 4 The major program status matrix is finalized (or updated), checked for accuracy, approved by the team, and dated.

• STEP 5 Finally, the major program status matrix is presented to the respective process owners or attached to a status report mailed to the process owners or customer.

Example of tool application

Military Contract USA-XXXX-X Radar-Mobile