Project Tracking with Pigment

Streamlining Project Forecasting with Run Rate Management in Pigment

Effective project forecasting is crucial for revenue planning and operational efficiency. To improve the accuracy and timeliness of forecasting, a shift has been made from legacy planning tools to Pigment, a modern planning platform. This migration is specifically designed to enhance the run rate management process, which now plays a central role in project oversight and financial forecasting.

Purpose and Overview

The new Pigment-based solution was developed to support week-over-week forecasting and directly feed forecasted dollar amounts into the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. This enables real-time updates by project leaders, resulting in more accurate revenue projections tied to project execution.

Core Functionality

At the core of the system is the ability for designated project leads to update run rates weekly. These run rates are then translated into forecasted billing hours and, subsequently, forecasted revenue. The workflow ensures that:

• Actual hours logged per person each week are tracked.
• Forecasted hours are dynamically calculated.
• Weekly and monthly forecasted dollars are derived from billing rates.

This output flows directly into the PAQRP model used for financial forecasting, providing a seamless connection between operations and finance.

Additional Features

• Resource Visibility: The platform displays project team members and flags potential availability issues such as holidays or PTO, helping avoid incorrect hour assignments.
• Visual Insights: Visual indicators show how run rates evolve over time, giving a snapshot of project pacing and financial impact.
• Automation Potential: The system is designed to eventually send automated reminders to project owners, prompting timely updates of run rates. This ensures continued data accuracy without manual follow-ups.

Ownership and Responsibility

Each project is assigned an internal project owner who is responsible for maintaining and updating the run rate data. Where no owner is defined, the system provides flexibility to assign one through an administrative interface, reinforcing accountability.

Flexibility and Customization

The model allows for quick updates, including adjustments to formatting and conditional styling, making it responsive to user feedback. Its modular design ensures ease of enhancement and user-centric improvement.

This Pigment-based run rate and forecasting tool introduces a streamlined, transparent, and integrated approach to project financial planning. It enables better decision-making through real-time data visibility, while also laying the groundwork for future automation and improved operational discipline. This solution marks a significant advancement in project management and revenue forecasting capabilities.