Planning Reports

For schedules in development try:

1. Logic report. Some people like the PDM Diagram I prefer the Links Table as it is easier to follow even when not as visual.
2. Resource loading report.
3. Calculations and assumptions used to get each activity duration, shall match current resource loading but will include the assumed production rates missing in most scheduling software.
4. Detailed Gantt report.

For work in progress try:

1. Detailed Gantt Report as updated to current DD.
2. Summary Gantt showing Current Schedule vs Contractual/Agreed Baseline.
3. Detailed Two week look ahead is common but I would prefer a One Month look ahead schedule. 
4. Every one of the Time Impact Analysis required for delay claims under current reporting period. Keep in mind TIA must be executed in sequential order, each must consider the impact of previous delays. Even if the delay continues it is wise to submit a contemporaneous TIA for every window, keep on record the contemporaneous impact, after the fact forensic analysis becomes very difficult and can result in unpleasant surprises.  Do not assume you will win it all latter.  It is better for all parties to be aware of the impact of current delays and who shall take remedial action. 
5. A narrative report.
6. Electronic files - whatever is missing will be here, let others decide what else to look. 

It is mostly about your audience.

Sorry for some reason my postings at PP are getting into a never ending loop and some of my postings are getting posted twice.

For financial constraint analysis and planning we use the CPM schedule at a reduced level of detail.  We understand there is no need to be so detailed for this purpose because the financial planning and analysis is not much sensitive to slight variations that we know anyway will happen.

For cost reporting and billings we prefer to keep the schedule divorced, the idea of the schedule becoming a tool for everyone comes at a cost.

http://www.nflaace.org/index_files/john_orr_cost_loaded_schedule_updating_pdf.pdf 

http://www.foundationsoft.com/resources/articles/77-unit-cost-and-production-reporting.htm#! 

We submit our billings and S curves using Excel.

The details are needed for billings and job costing, we find accounting software a better fit for the cost details.

The way some software re-distribute time distribution of costs and billings can be an issue, we find no value on passing accounting data to the schedule at a detailed level. 

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