Primavera P6 Layouts for Baseline and Updated Schedules [Layouts]

Effective project management relies heavily on clear and organized data presentation, especially when dealing with complex schedules and large volumes of information. In Primavera P6, layouts play a fundamental role in transforming raw scheduling data into meaningful insights. A layout is more than just a visual configuration; it is a powerful tool that enables project managers, planners, and stakeholders to focus on the most relevant aspects of each phase in the project by customizing the layout for each phase.

Why do we create a layout for the baseline and another one for the update?

When creating a baseline schedule, you need to be able to see the important items that will be reviewed or edited to adjust it, such as the total duration, start and finish dates, the budgeted total cost, budgeted labor unit, etc. or even if you are reviewing a baseline schedule, you need to be able to see the start and finish dates to make sure they follow the project milestones. Meanwhile, when updating a baseline schedule, you will need other columns and visuals to be activated, such as Performance % Complete, Schedule % Complete, and Remaining Duration. It is important to know the data you need to show based on the stage you are in at the project, so for instance, you need the percentages if you are updating a schedule, but you do not need them if you are submitting a baseline schedule or reviewing it.

Creating a layout for Schedules

Activities Layout

To avoid changing and modifying the columns and visual properties in Primavera P6 every time we open the project for whatever reason. We can create a layout that suits our needs in this phase and every time we open the schedule, we can choose this layout and that is it. All we need from columns to visuals are available with no repetitive work.

1. Start by showing the columns you need such as the planned start date if you have submitted a baseline schedule.

Or the Schedule % Complete, Performance % Complete, and Total Float, if you are updating a schedule.

2. If you want to change the colors or the font of the WBS you can from “Group and Sort”.

3. You can choose how the Gantt chart will look. You can right-click on the Gantt chart and choose “timescale” to choose the appropriate timescale for your project, or “bar” to choose which bars you want to see. For instance, if you are creating or reviewing a baseline schedule you need to see the summary, and schedule milestones. While in the updated schedule you need the baseline, the remaining works, and actual works to compare while reporting or presenting the data.

4. After finalizing what you want to show in the layout, then you can move on to the printing layout.

Printing Layout

5. Press on “Print Preview”

6. A new page will open, choose “Page Setup” and a menu will pop up.

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6.1. The first one is the “Page”.

We can choose the orientation of the page whether it is a portrait or a landscape.

We can choose the scaling of the page you can make it fit or keep adjusting till reaching the appropriate shape of the page.

We can decide the paper size from the “Paper Size” option.

6.2. You can adjust the margins of the printed pages.

6.3. You can decide the divisions that will be shown in the header. In this example, we choose two Pictures which are the two company’s logos and one text in the middle.

You can upload the company’s logo from your computer.

You can change the font and its size from “A”

6.4. In the footer, we can add the Gantt Chart Legend, Text/Logo (page numbering), and the Revision box.

6.5. In “Options” you can choose the timescale start and finish so when you print the date you placed as start will be the start of the Gantt Chart in the PDF printed and the same applies to the finish.

You can also choose what you want to be shown in the printed file.

7. After finishing all of that close the printing page and from the layout, choose “save as” Choose a name for the layout, make the “available to” option project, and select your current project.

Exporting and importing Layouts

To be able to use the layouts at any time. You can export it and import it to Primavera P6 when needed.

1. From “layout” choose open.

2. A window will open including the importing and exporting options.

Note

If you are one of our students registered in the Construction Project Planning Intermediate Level with P6 course or Professional Planning Engineer (PPE) Course, you will find two layouts one for the baseline schedule and one for the updated baseline schedule. Those two layouts were created based on experience. Feel free to customize them based on your project’s requirements.

Conclusion

The flexibility to create, save, and share tailored layouts helps teams focus on key aspects of a project while maintaining clearness and alignment with project objectives. Effective use of layouts not only improves efficiency during planning and execution but also ensures consistency in reporting and stakeholder engagement. Mastering layouts is an important step in controlling the full potential of Primavera P6 for successful project management.

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Primavera P6 Layouts for Baseline and Updated Schedules [Layouts] 1,015.40 KB 1775 downloads

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Intermediate, Professional Planning

Primavera P6 Layouts for Baseline and Updated Schedules [Layouts] 12.01 KB 2571 downloads

This File is included in the following course(s)

Intermediate, Professional Planning

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