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Project baseline scheduling, risk analysis and project control are crucial steps in the life of a project. The project manager uses the project schedule to help planning, executing and controlling project activities and to track and monitor the progress of the project. 

A solid project foundation starts with baseline scheduling, where the work breakdown structure (WBS) defines the structure and scope of the project. Traditional scheduling techniques such as the Critical Path Method (CPM) provide an essential starting point, but they represent only the beginning of effective project management.

To move beyond static plans, risk analysis plays a crucial role. By assessing the sensitivity of activities and quantifying schedule uncertainty—whether through advanced metrics or qualitative insights—project managers can significantly improve the reliability and robustness of their schedules. This additional layer of insight helps anticipate potential disruptions and enhances overall planning accuracy.

Effective project control then brings everything together. Modern tools enable project managers to monitor real-time performance data, including activity sensitivities, completion percentages, actual versus planned progress, and forecasts for time and cost. Clear and intuitive dashboards transform this data into actionable insights, quickly highlighting deviations and trends at both project and activity levels.

By combining baseline scheduling, risk analysis, and project control, project managers gain a comprehensive view of project performance. Setting well-defined thresholds at different levels of the WBS allows early warning signals to emerge during execution. When these thresholds are exceeded, they trigger timely corrective actions—ensuring that projects stay on track and objectives are successfully achieved.