Introduction :

What is a mitigation plan?

One mitigation plan is a strategy proactive aiming to reduce the probability or impact of risks before they materialise.

Key features:

• Timing planning or start of execution phase
• Objective prevent or mitigate identified risks
• Focus Risk reduction / avoidance
• Approach based on probabilistic analysis, lessons learned, and weak signals

Concrete example

On a civil engineering project, a high risk of seasonal flooding can impact earthworks.

A mitigation plan could include:

• Reschedule critical activities during dry periods.
• Introduce floats or lags
• Provide backup equipment for a quick recovery

Modelling in Primavera P6:

• Use the risk management module
• Link risks to the activities concerned
• Define mitigation actions
• Simulate scenarios (e.g. Monte Carlo via external tools)
• Integrate contingency margins (float)

What is an acceleration plan?

One acceleration plan is a strategy reactive, implemented when the project is behind schedule or when the client requires an early delivery.

Key features:

• Timing after a delay or on customer request
• Objective to make up for lost time or compress the schedule
• Focus execution acceleration
• Impact often increased costs and pressure on resources

Concrete example

A mechanical installation package is 3 weeks behind schedule.

👉 Possible acceleration plan:

• Setting up double shifts or weekend work
• Reallocating resources to the critical path
• Fast-tracking (task overlap)
• Crashing (increasing resources to reduce durations)

Modelling in Primavera P6:

• Analyse du chemin critique après mise à jour
• Reduce durations or modify logic (FS → SS, FF…)
• Reprioritise resources
• Compare with the baseline to measure catch-up
• Evaluate the cost/resource impact

Why is this distinction essential

In high-stakes environments (EPC, energy, infrastructure, defence), confusing mitigation with acceleration can lead to:

• Misaligned stakeholder expectations
• Additional costs due to uncontrolled accelerations
• Poor visibility of risks
• Unforeseen contractual delays

✅ Best practices in Primavera P6

• Integrate risk from the outset Primavera Risk Analysis, Safran Risk
• Test the scenarios through copies or reflections
• Maintain a clean and static baseline
• Use filters and layouts to quickly identify deviations
• Document clearly Planning reports strategies

Conclusion

In modern project controls, performance relies on the ability to be Anticipatory and responsive both

• The mitigation plan reduces surprises
• The acceleration plan allows a return to the trajectory

The best professionals know when to use one, when to activate the other — and how to combine them intelligently.

And you? Have you already implemented mitigation or acceleration strategies? How has Primavera P6 helped you in your decisions?