TOPIC: Work Performance Data/Information/Report

Hi All,

Can someone help me understand the difference between work performance data, work performance information and work performance report?

Thanks & Regards,
Sajit Panicker

Hello Sajit,

Work performance data is raw measurements before any analysis. Once it has been anaylzed or processed, it becomes work performance information. A work performance report is a compilation of work performance information for consumption for some purpose such as status or decision making.

Section 3.8 of the PMBOK has the full definitions if you would like further detail.

Ok, I've used this information below for my own understanding througout my PMP preparation because I had the same question.

Work performance data, work performance information, and work performance reports are all either inputs and/or outputs of various processes in the Executing and Monitoring and Controlling process groups. They are similar but do have differences. I recommend you understand the differences for the exam. Here is a recap of each for your study time.

According to the PMBOK ® Guide, the definitions are as follows:

Work Performance Data: This is the process of measuring and observing project activities. This may include data such as reporting on the percent of work complete, status of deliverables, technical performance measurements, the actual start and finish dates of schedule activities (schedule progress to date), the number of change requests or defects, costs incurred to date, etc. Work performance data is an input of the following processes:
• Validate Scope
• Control Scope
• Control Schedule
• Control Costs
• Control Quality
• Control Communications
• Control Risks
• Control Procurements
• Control Stakeholder Engagement

Work performance data is an output of the following processes:
• Direct and Manage Project Work

Work Performance Information Work performance information is used in the Monitoring and Controlling processes to analyze information such as the status of deliverables, the status of change requests, and forecasts such as estimate to complete (i.e., the work performance data).

Work performance information is an input of the following processes:
• Monitor and Control Project Work
Work performance information is an output of the following processes:
• Validate Scope
• Control Scope
• Control Schedule
• Control Costs
• Control Quality
• Control Communications
• Control Risks
• Control Procurements
• Control Stakeholder Engagement

Work Performance Reports Work performance reports are the physical manifestation of the work performance information you've gathered and analyzed using variance analysis, earned value calculations, or forecasts. Work performance reports may include status reports, memos, updates, and more. Work performance reports are intended to aid decision making and action plans.

Work performance reports are an input of the following processes:
• Manage Project Team
• Manage Communications
• Perform Integrated Change Control
• Control Risks
• Control Procurements
Work performance reports are an output of the following process:
• Monitor and Control Project Work

Thank you Steve & Michael.

Michael, WOW. I have studied these for some time and after seeing how you wrote these out I immediately put these into a flowchart, that really opened my eyes to this integration. I plan on taking this same approach to other common items for a flowchart visual. I can now look at this and know exactly where all of these 3 items fall as inputs and outputs, Great job,

Thanks Dean

that is very useful explain. thanks much

Work Performance Data are the initial measurements and details about activities gathered during Project (Executing)
•During controlling the work performance data is analyzed to make sure they conform to the Project Management Plan and to asses what they mean for the project as a whole. The result is known as Work Performance Information
•Work Performance information can be organized into work performance reports which are distributed to various stakeholders
Activity Took 12 Days to Complete-Work Performance Data
•Was Planned to complete in 10 Days, compare this to Project Management Plan-Work Performance Information

Work performance data is an input to the Control Scope process, while work performance information is an output.

Thanks for the clarity. Much appreciated.

Creating the Data Flow diagram for this is great advice. I created data flow diagrams for the following items that flowed through several process group and knowledge areas:

- Where Work Performance Data, Information and Report are generated (ie. Inputs and Outputs) and how they pass between processes
- Where Change Requests, Approved Change Requests Validated Changes and Change Logs are generated and how they pass between processes
- Where the Change Log and Issue Logs are generated and how they pass between processes
- Where the Quality Metrics, Quality Checklists, Quality Control Measurements and Process Improvement Plan are generated and how they pass between processes

Thank you. It's clear that Work performance data is an output from 4.3 Direct & Manage project work. However what is still confusing is from where does 4.3 gets the raw performance data to produce it as an output? If you check the input of 4.3, they are as follows:
1. Project managemanagement plan
2. Approved change request
3. EEF
4. OPA
And none of these processes are capable of collecting work related data !

Thank you!

Hi ..
Good day to you
My name is Seha from Malaysia
I have one question on assignment but don't understand
can you help and guide me on the question
QUESTION 1
1) IN THE FORM OF A REPORT TO SENIOR MANAGEMENT ,COMPARE AND CONTRAST THE CONCEPTS OF DATA PROTECTION AND INFORMATION SECURITY MANAGEMENT AS THEY APPLY MIS IN AN INTERNET BASED COMMERCIAL ORGANISATION ?
What should i do on this question ?
What first step i need to right on assignment

Excellent reply! Thank you very much for this detailed explanation

Hi All,
Work performance data and work performance information are two different conceps.
Work performance datas are the raw observations and measurements identified during activities performed to carry out the project work. On the other hand work performance information are the performance data collected from various controlling processes, analyzed in context and integrated based on relationships across areas. You can see the https://www.projectcubicle.com/work-performance-data-work-performance-information/ examples for work performance data and information .

This Is so clear, very helpful!

Why is Work Performance report not an input to Control Schedule ?

Will you be able to share the data flow you created .. that will help a lot

Thank you

Thank you for clear explanation.

If one concatenates the input and outputs it looks like this
Direct and manage the project generates data which are input for the monitor and control process which output work performance information which are input for the monitor and control project work which outputs work performance reports.
BUT manage quality outputs quality reports which are input for control quality which outputs quality measurements.
It took me a while to figure this out and it is a bit counterintuitive how the manage quality works, but I guess that one just need to remember that.

because during this process first you collect data and process them to information

You are awesome

Thank You