Last Updated: June 5, 2026
Activity 14: Assess Performance
In the Project MAP (Model, Activities & Phases) framework, Activity 14, Assess Performance, focuses on how well the project met its objectives and was managed.
Every project creates useful information. Some projects go better than expected, while others face challenges such as delays, additional costs, resource constraints, or stakeholder concerns. No matter the result, teams gain by reviewing what happened, learning lessons, and finding ways to improve future projects.
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Figure 14.1: Assess Performance Activity in the Project MAP structured framework for building a Master Project in Microsoft Project.
Closing Phase < Assess Performance > Archive Project
Performance assessments usually consider several aspects of a project. The team might check how resources were used, how well the team worked together, how equipment and technology performed, how effective the management was, the level of stakeholder support, the results, the schedule, the costs, and the overall success. Organizations often use tools such as surveys, interviews, workshops, and post-project reviews to collect this information. In the Project MAP framework, the Performance Assessment Template rates team members, resources, technology, facilities, project manager performance, and project results in a structured way.
The goal of performance assessment is not to blame anyone. Instead, it helps identify what worked well, understand any problems, improve project management, and strengthen future projects.
Performance assessments also allow the team to check whether the project’s original objectives were met. The team can review the objectives, constraints, assumptions, risks, schedule, costs, and stakeholders' expectations to assess how well the project met those expectations.
This MS Project Master Class does not go into detail about this Activity, but knowing its purpose is important. Project success is not just about finishing the work but also about evaluating the results and learning from what happened.
Why Does Assessing Performance Matters in Microsoft Project
Microsoft Project helps project managers plan, schedule, forecast, and control their projects. It also provides useful historical information to support performance assessments.
Teams can use baseline data, actual progress, differences from the plan, resource use, costs, and schedule information to judge project results. This helps them understand what happened during the project and gives useful insights for planning future projects.
As you work on your Master Project in the MS Project Master Class, keep in mind that project management aims for ongoing improvement. Performance assessments turn project experience into knowledge the whole organization can use.
Next Activity: Archive Project
After the team has reviewed performance and learned lessons, the next step is to save that information for future projects.
Activity 15, Archive Project, focuses on organizing and preserving project plans, reports, lessons learned, assessments, and other documents. This way, future teams can benefit from what was learned during the project.
Assess Performance FAQs
What Is a Project Performance Assessment?
A project performance assessment is a way to review how well a project met its objectives and how it was managed.
This assessment can examine factors such as project results, how the schedule and budget were managed, stakeholder satisfaction, team performance, resource use, project management methods, and overall success.
The main goal is to identify what went well, what could be improved, what lessons were learned, and how future projects can be improved.
Why Is Assess Performance Important?
Many organizations spend a lot of time planning and running projects, but often spend little time reviewing the results.
By assessing performance, project teams can see what worked, what problems arose, and how to improve future projects.
If teams skip performance assessments, they may miss out on important lessons.
How Is Project Success Evaluated?
To judge whether a project was successful, teams usually compare what actually happened with the project’s goals, constraints, risks, schedule, budget, and stakeholders' expectations.
Success is not just about finishing on time or staying within budget. It also means reaching the goals the project set out to achieve.
Why Does Assess Performance Revisit the Project Charter?
Assessing performance is not simply about determining whether the project was completed. It is about determining whether the project achieved the objectives for which it was authorized.
The Project Charter is the official document that explains what the project is supposed to achieve.
When assessing performance, the team checks how the actual results match up with the goals, assumptions, limits, expectations, and outcomes listed in the Charter.
This helps the team see if the project met its main purpose.
What Is the Performance Assessment Template?
The Performance Assessment Template is a tool within the Project MAP framework that helps teams review their projects.
It helps teams look at areas like:
Team performance.
Resource performance.
Technology and equipment performance.
Facilities and organizational support.
Project manager performance.
Project results.
Having a structured assessment process makes project reviews more consistent and fair.
Is the Purpose of a Performance Assessment to Assign Blame?
No.
The goal of a performance assessment is to help future projects get better, not to blame anyone.
Performance assessments help teams identify what works, understand problems, improve project management, and strengthen the organization over time.
What Types of Information Are Reviewed During a Performance Assessment?
A performance assessment might look at:
Project objectives.
Schedule performance.
Cost performance.
Resource performance.
Stakeholder satisfaction.
Risks and issues.
Team effectiveness.
Project deliverables.
Lessons learned.
All this information gives a full view of how the project performed.
Why Doesn't the MS Project Master Class Cover This Activity in Detail?
This MS Project Master Class primarily covers Activities that require a lot of work in Microsoft Project.
Assessing performance is important in project management, but it does not involve much work directly in Microsoft Project. Most of the work involves reviewing the project, examining lessons learned, and analyzing performance.
That’s why this Activity is only introduced in concept and not covered in as much detail as planning, scheduling, baselining, forecasting, or project control.
How Does Assess Performance Support the Master Project?
The Master Project keeps records of the project’s schedule, resources, costs, progress, and performance.
By assessing performance, teams can see how well the Master Project supported the work and whether the project’s objectives were met. The results can also help improve future Master Projects.
Why Is Continuous Improvement Important in Project Management?
Each project gives teams a chance to learn something new.
When organizations review performance and track lessons learned, they can improve at estimating, scheduling, managing risks, planning resources, working with stakeholders, and controlling projects.
Continuous improvement makes future projects more likely to succeed and easier to manage.
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