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Free Primavera P6 tool

P6 Look Ahead Generator

Open a Primavera P6 XER file, choose the look ahead window, and see overdue, in progress and upcoming activities with the progress needed by the end of the window.

1

Open the XER file

The current programme update, exported from Primavera P6.

The file is read on your own computer. It is never sent to a server or stored.

2

Set the look ahead window

The window starts at the programme data date.

Reporting window1 month after the programme data date

Choose an XER file to begin.

Look ahead report

0Activities in window
0Overdue
0In progress
0Due to start
0Due to finish
0WBS sections
Activity IDActivity nameCategoryStartFinishRemainingActual %Schedule % at data dateTarget % at window endRequired progressTotal float
Secure Primavera P6 look-ahead reporting

A look ahead for the next meeting, straight from the XER

The tool reads the data date from the XER, picks the incomplete activities that start before the end of your window and groups them by WBS. For each one it shows the progress planned at the data date and the progress needed by the end of the window. The file is read in your browser and is not uploaded.

How to use it

  1. Export the XERIn P6 use File, Export, Primavera PM (XER) for the current update.
  2. Open it hereDrop the file on the box above. If it holds more than one project, pick the project.
  3. Set the windowChoose days, weeks, months or years, or one of the common windows.
  4. GenerateReview overdue, in progress and upcoming work, and search or filter the list.
  5. ExportDownload the Excel or PDF report for the site coordination meeting.

What the report shows

The report is built for short term planning and progress control. It turns the schedule into a list of the activities that need attention in the window.

  • Activities overdue against the P6 data date
  • Activities in progress
  • Activities due to start or finish inside the window
  • Required progress by the end of the window
  • WBS grouping and total float visibility

Terms used in the report

Look ahead
A filtered planning view showing the activities that should start, finish or progress during a selected future period.
Data date
The Primavera P6 status date used as the reference point for progress measurement and upcoming activity filtering.
Required progress
The planned percentage at the end of the window, from the activity start and finish dates, minus the current physical % complete.
Local processing
The XER file is parsed by JavaScript on your own device instead of being uploaded to Planix Engineering or another server.
Questions

P6 Look Ahead Generator FAQ

Short answers for planners, project managers and anyone using the tool for the first time.

Is my Primavera P6 XER file uploaded?

No. The XER file is read in your browser. Planix Engineering does not receive or store your schedule.

Can it make weekly and monthly look ahead reports?

Yes. Choose a window in days, weeks, months or years. The window you last used is remembered on this device.

Which activities are included?

Incomplete activities that start on or before the end of the window. Activities finishing before the data date are marked overdue.

How is the required progress worked out?

The tool assumes progress is spread evenly between the scheduled start and finish. Required progress is the planned percentage at the end of the window minus the current physical % complete.

Which file should I use?

A Primavera P6 XER export of the current update. The report is only as good as the dates, data date and progress in that file.

Next

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Built by Sajeeshkumar Sivan

Planning and project controls professional with 15 years on GCC building and infrastructure projects, working daily with Primavera P6 baselines, monthly updates and extension of time claims. Each Planix tool comes from that work.

About Planix Engineering

Want this for every update, across every project?

Root Cause Intelligence tracks each P6 update against the baseline and traces every delay to the activity where it started.

See Root Cause Intelligence Request a demoadmin@planixengineering.com