A great deal of needed data can be automatically gathered based on confirmation of milestones, automated purchasing, and employees time sheets. For instance, a given milestone might signal the completion of an activity which in turn has materials usage predefined and payments to be made to outside vendors. Thus, payments can be generated automatically to contractors. Real-time data is always available regarding the status of a project. This can include expenditures since the project started, since a predefined time, or for a given time period.
Time periods can be intervals like a year, quarter, month, week, or day.
Completion Phase Completion of a project culminates with a wealth of information useful for future planning and benchmarking. This information can also be used to refine standard practices, spot problem areas, and for reporting on past accomplishments. Data can be kept online or alternately downloaded to a data warehouse. It is obvious that current commitments of resources determine the availability of resources for projects being planned. Yet, the determination of this information for current and future points is time is often difficult to ascertain.