Which tool compares actual progress against the original plan?

Which tool compares actual progress against the original plan?

• A. Interviews.
• B. Focus groups.
• C. Variance reports.
• D. Technical reviews.

Answer: (C)

Monitoring progress against the plan is what is being tested here. Variance reports are the tool that does this by laying out planned performance and actual performance side by side, then showing the differences (the variances) in areas like scope, schedule, and cost. This makes it clear where the project is ahead or behind the baseline, helping managers forecast outcomes and decide on corrective actions. Interviews and focus groups collect qualitative input from stakeholders and team members, useful for requirements, feedback, or change impact—not for measuring how closely the project is tracking to its original plan. Technical reviews evaluate the quality and compliance of technical work, not the status of progress relative to the baseline.

Monitoring progress against the plan is what is being tested here. Variance reports are the tool that does this by laying out planned performance and actual performance side by side, then showing the differences (the variances) in areas like scope, schedule, and cost. This makes it clear where the project is ahead or behind the baseline, helping managers forecast outcomes and decide on corrective actions.

Interviews and focus groups collect qualitative input from stakeholders and team members, useful for requirements, feedback, or change impact—not for measuring how closely the project is tracking to its original plan. Technical reviews evaluate the quality and compliance of technical work, not the status of progress relative to the baseline.