The Work Variance field contains the difference between baseline work of a task, resource, or assignment and the currently scheduled work.
There are several categories of Work Variance fields.
Best Uses Add the Work Variance field to a task view when you want to analyze whether your work estimates for tasks are on track with your original plans.
Example You set a baseline for your project three months ago, and you now want to review the work variances for tasks. You add the Work Variance field to the Task Sheet view to analyze the task's progress and performance to date.
Remarks If the Work Variance field contains a negative number, less work is scheduled for the task than originally planned, as shown in the baseline. If the Work Variance field contains a positive number, more work is scheduled for the task than originally planned. If the Work Variance field contains zero, the scheduled amount of work is exactly as was planned.
You can set a baseline in the Set Baseline dialog box. This copies the current value for the Work field into the corresponding Baseline Work field.
The Work Variance field contains "0 hrs" until the work value varies from the baseline work value, as shown in the Baseline Work field.
Best Uses Add the Work Variance field to a resource sheet when you want to analyze whether your work estimates for resources are on track with your original plans.
Example You set a baseline for your project three months ago, and you now want to review the work variances for resources. You add the Work Variance field to the Resource Sheet view to analyze the resource's progress and performance to date.
Remarks If the Work Variance field contains a negative number, less work is scheduled for the resource than originally planned, as shown in the baseline. If the Work Variance field contains a positive number, more work is scheduled for the resource than originally planned. If the Work Variance field contains zero, the scheduled amount of work is exactly as was planned.
Best Uses Add the Work Variance field to the Task Usage or Resource Usage view when you want to analyze whether your work estimates for assignments are on track with your original plans.
Example You set a baseline for your project three months ago, and you now want to review your work variances for assignments. You add the Work Variance field to the Task Usage view to analyze the assignment's progress and performance to date.
Remarks If the Work Variance field contains a negative number, less work is scheduled for the assignment than originally planned, as shown in the baseline. If the Work Variance field contains a positive number, more work is scheduled for the assignment than originally planned. If the Work Variance field contains zero, the scheduled amount of work is exactly as was planned.
The Work Variance field contains "0 hrs" until the scheduled work varies from the baseline work value, as shown in the Baseline Work field.