U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has contracted with medium-size excavation firm to create small series of three earthen dams as part of flood control program in North Carolina. For economic reasons, dams #1 and #2 have to constructed at the same time and dam #3 can only be built after #1 and #2 are completed. There is also very significant scheduled completion date which has to be met (relating to next year's flood season). Project is being tackled by Bryan Johnson, who has been with company for about year.
This is new job for Bryan in that he had never before headed more than one project at time. About three months into building of dams #1 and #2, he started to notice the information problem. He had supervisors from dams #1 and #2 reporting to him, but he never know how far along they were in relation to each other. As dam #3 can't be made until both dams are fully complete, he can't tell if it will be started on time and hence completed on time. Realizing situation was becoming serious, he started to wonder about how he could coordinate projects. How could he tell where projects were in relation to each other? How far were they jointly behind? Bryan's main problem was his inability to monitor and record dual projects effectively.
What would you suggest to Bryan?