Tempus – The Time Bandit Tutorial: Setting Up a Risk Register & Linking to CPM

The video, presented by Andrew Wickland from PRC Software, provides a detailed tutorial on how to use the Risk Register feature in Tempus—the Time Bandit, a schedule Monte Carlo analysis tool. It explains how to add and manage project risks, map them to specific tasks, define probability and impact durations, and choose between series or parallel logic for risk events. The tutorial also covers how to run simulations to visualize the effect of uncertainties and risks on project timelines, helping users make more informed scheduling decisions.

1. Setup and Prior Steps Recap

• Imported the schedule.
• Tested the network.
• Reviewed the Gantt chart.
• Created an Uncertainty Register based on the WBS (Work Breakdown Structure).

Clarification: Uncertainty refers to variability in scheduled tasks (e.g., a 10–15 minute drive). It does not include external risk events like accidents.

2. Accessing the Risk Register Section

• Located in the software with options to Expand/Collapse.
• Export/Import risk data (Excel or other tools supported).
• Composed of Risk Section, Task Mapping, and Network Logic.

3. Adding a New Risk

• Example Risk: RO1 – Funding Delay
• Probability: 25%
• Impact Duration: 30 to 60 calendar days (Triangular distribution)
• Mapping to Task: Linked to “Third-party contractors”
• Visual: Risk appears as a red line on the Gantt chart (pre-simulation)

4. Linking a Risk to Multiple Tasks

• Same Risk (RO1) can be linked to other tasks (e.g., “Site mobilization”)
• Different duration ranges per task (e.g., 10–30 days)
• Still shares the same probability (25%)

5. Adding Another Risk

• Example Risk: RO2 – Vendor Goes Bust
• Probability: 10%
• Impact Duration: ~30+ days (for new bid cycle)
• Linked Task: Same as previous or different
• Multiple risks can be linked to the same task with independent conditions

6. Network Logic Handling

• Series or Parallel Logic supported:
• Series: Risks happen one after the other.
• Parallel: Risks occur independently.
• User Control: Choose logic type via “Risk Link Method” (top left)

7. Task Mapping View

• Visual reverse of Risk View:
• Select task → View & map risks
• Helps quickly assign or remove risks
• Ease of Use: Options to map/unmap risks and delete via trash icon

8. Running the Simulation

• Post-risk entry:
• Dashboards show:
• Uncertainty only line
• Uncertainty + Risk line
• Scatter plots and dashboards reflect real-time impact from added risks

9. Best Practices & Final Notes

• Data Quality Matters: Accurate durations and probabilities yield reliable simulations
• Flexible Interface: Import/export risks easily, link efficiently
• Purpose: Enhances schedule reliability through visualized risk impacts