Deltek added a new Coded Ranges Forecast Method in release 30 of Cobra 8.4. This calculated forecast allows the user to assign a forecast method based on a Control Account or Work Package Code, or alternatively, a forecast method based on the Earned Value or Progress Technique. This is a helpful addition to the canned […]
Deltek Cobra
The Deltek Cobra Replan Process
As stated in my previous blog on the Cobra Replan process, I attempted to talk one out of replanning the project except in certain, rare circumstances. That said, there are definitely circumstances where the Replan process is wholly appropriate. The Replan process, also known as a Single Point Adjustment (Also referred to S&P=A or SPA), […]
Single-Point Adjustments in Deltek Cobra
Single-Point Adjustments in Deltek Cobra The term Single-Point Adjustments (SPA or S&P=A or S=P) is an oft used process on Cost-Plus type projects. Its purpose is to essentially erase cost and/or schedule variances to date and replan the remaining effort consistent with the remaining scope of work. Further, the remaining effort is planned with the […]
Top-Down Planning in Deltek Cobra
Top-Down Planning in Cobra is a useful feature which gives you the ability to adjust a budget or forecast cost class’s value at various levels of the project’s structure. This process allows the user to adjust a cost class to equal a specified value. While there are many scenarios where this utility would be useful, […]
Setting the Frozen Forecast in Deltek Cobra
Frozen Forecast in Deltek Cobra One of the most frustrating challenges in operating an Earned Value Management System (EVMS), is holding constant an Estimate at Completion (EAC). The challenge is, that the nature of the EAC- Actual Costs (Actuals) plus Estimates to Complete (ETC) will, by nature, change each period due to the value of […]
5 Cobra Preferences You Should Know About
Cobra Preferences You Need To Know I’m often asked if it’s possible to change Deltek Cobra’s behavior in particular circumstances and these types of questions invariably lead me to the Project Preferences dialog, where a number of default settings control how Cobra responds to certain situations within the project. So, I thought you all might […]
The Earned Value Graph Explained
Have you seen those line graphs that are created from earned value management systems? They might look confusing but they are actually pretty simple to read once you know what they show. In this article, we’ll look at two earned value graph examples and explain what they are telling you in terms of project performance. […]
Deltek Cobra – How to Help CAMs with Manual Forecasting
Helping CAMs with Manual Forecasting A universal problem in the world of project controls is getting good, reliable data back from those otherwise engaged in actually executing the project plan. This challenge can have a devastating impact on the accuracy of the schedule status and Earned Value Management (EVM) metrics when team members fail to […]
Estimated Costs in Deltek Cobra
This article looks at some strategies for loading estimated actual costs, sometimes referred to as accruals, into your Deltek Cobra project. The first question you might asks is “Estimated Actuals”? Isn’t that something of an oxymoron? How can one have an estimated actual cost, surely it’s one or the other, right? For those of you […]
Deltek Cobra – Moving Money from UB to MR
Deltek Cobra – Moving Money from UB to MR Deltek Cobra has some very comprehensive features for managing the various budget accounts associated with an Earned Value Management (EVM) program and the audit logging of these accounts. For normal project baseline initialization the process is well designed and reasonably straightforward to use. Sometimes however, there […]