The latest release of Mission Control (Version 1.80) introduces a powerful set of new features and enhancements designed to improve project planning, resource management, collaboration, and reporting—all within the Salesforce Platform. This release focuses heavily on improving estimation accuracy, governance, visibility, and efficiency across the entire project lifecycle.
In this article, we’ll provide a complete overview of what’s new, followed by deeper dives into some of the headline features, including the PERT Estimator, RACI Matrix, Project Grid, and Role Forecast Gantt Chart.
What’s New in Version 1.80
Version 1.80 includes a wide range of new capabilities and enhancements, including:
- PERT Estimator
- RACI Matrix
- Project Grid
- Role Forecast Gantt Chart
- Role Master Team & Function History Tracking
- Resource Planner Enhancements
- Opportunity Auto Generation – New Methods
- Read Only Page Enhancements
- Various minor improvements across Gantt filters, timesheets, billing events, and more
Together, these updates provide greater control, deeper insights, and improved usability for project managers, PMOs, and professional services teams.
Deep Dive: PERT Estimator
One of the most impactful additions in Version 1.80 is the PERT Estimator, which introduces a structured and collaborative approach to project estimation.
At its core, the PERT Estimator uses three values:
- Optimistic Estimate
- Most Likely Estimate
- Pessimistic Estimate
The final estimate is calculated using the standard PERT formula:
PERT Estimate = O + (4 x M) + P / 6
How It Works
The process is broken into three stages:
- Request Estimates – Project Managers request estimates from relevant Roles across Programs, Projects, or Milestones
- Complete Estimates – Estimators submit their inputs via the Estimating Wizard
- Review & Finalise – Reviewers consolidate inputs and confirm the final estimate
The Estimating Wizard provides a structured workspace where users can input estimates, review related records, and collaborate on final outputs.
Key Benefits
- Improved Accuracy – Combines multiple perspectives to reduce estimation bias
- Collaborative Planning – Engages multiple stakeholders in the estimation process
- Better Risk Management – Accounts for best- and worst-case scenarios
- Full Visibility – Track estimation progress via status updates and dashboards
Ultimately, the PERT Estimator helps teams move from guesswork to data-driven planning.
Deep Dive: RACI Matrix
The RACI Matrix introduces a clear and visual way to define roles and responsibilities within your projects.
RACI stands for:
- Responsible
- Accountable
- Consulted
- Informed
This matrix is displayed directly within the Project Overview, alongside your Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), giving you immediate insight into who is involved and how.
Key Features
- Toggle-enabled visibility on the Project Overview
- Automatic or manual generation of RACI members
- Drill-down modal to view all participants within each category
- Integration with Roles and Project Stakeholders
Key Benefits
- Clarity of Ownership – Eliminate confusion around who is responsible for what
- Improved Accountability – Ensure every task has clear ownership
- Stronger Collaboration – Identify who needs to be consulted or informed
- Faster Decision-Making – Reduce bottlenecks caused by unclear responsibilities
For project teams, this means fewer miscommunications and smoother delivery.
Deep Dive: Project Grid
The Project Grid is a powerful new interface designed to give project managers a highly interactive and flexible way to manage their Work Breakdown Structure.
Accessible from the Project Overview, the Grid allows you to view and manage:
- Actions
- Checklist Items
- Or both combined
It includes advanced capabilities such as:
- Group By functionality (e.g., Milestone, Action Owner)
- Quick Filters for rapid data slicing
- Inline Editing for fast updates
- Auto Save for real-time changes
- Custom Sorting and Filtering
- Configurable Columns via Field Sets
Key Benefits
- Increased Efficiency – Update multiple records without navigating away
- Better Data Visibility – Quickly surface key insights with grouping and filtering
- Improved Accuracy – Reduce manual errors with inline editing and auto-save
- Personalised Experience – Persistent settings tailored to each user
The Project Grid effectively transforms how teams interact with project data—making it faster, more intuitive, and far more powerful.
Deep Dive: Role Forecast Gantt Chart
The Role Forecast Gantt Chart enhances resource planning by allowing users to visualise and manage Role Forecasts directly within the Gantt Chart.
Instead of just viewing the Work Breakdown Structure, users can toggle to a Forecast view, displaying Role Forecasts for both Projects and Opportunities.
Key Features
- Toggle between WBS and Role Forecast views
- Drag-and-drop rescheduling of Role Forecasts
- Editable Role Forecast records via modal
- Customisable fields and tooltips
- Integration with Opportunity and Project data
Key Benefits
- Improved Resource Planning – Visualise upcoming demand and capacity
- Greater Flexibility – Quickly adjust forecasts with drag-and-drop functionality
- Enhanced Visibility – See resource allocation across projects and opportunities
- Better Forecast Accuracy – Align planning with real-time data
This feature is particularly valuable for resource managers looking to optimise utilisation and avoid bottlenecks.
Additional Enhancements Worth Noting
Beyond the headline features, Version 1.80 includes several important enhancements:
Role History Tracking
Accurately track changes in a resource’s function or team over time, ensuring financials and utilisation reporting remain correct.
Resource Planner Enhancements
- New grouping options (Master Team, Function)
- Improved capacity calculations
- Advanced filtering for resource availability
Opportunity Auto Generation
New methods allow projects to be generated dynamically based on product quantities and templates—helping automate project setup.
Read Only Page Improvements
- Project Health Check visibility
- Time Log PDF export for clients
- Enhanced field configuration
Minor Enhancements
Updates across Gantt filters, timesheets, billing, milestones, and more improve usability and performance throughout the platform.
Final Thoughts
Mission Control Version 1.80 is a significant release that strengthens the platform’s capabilities across estimation, governance, execution, and resource planning.
The introduction of features like the PERT Estimator, RACI Matrix, Project Grid, and Role Forecast Gantt Chart demonstrates a clear focus on:
- Improving planning accuracy
- Enhancing team collaboration
- Providing deeper operational visibility
- Streamlining project execution
For Professional Services Organisations using Salesforce, these enhancements provide tangible benefits—from more accurate project forecasts to more efficient day-to-day management.
If you’re looking to take your project delivery to the next level, Version 1.80 delivers the tools to help you get there. Mission Control is a comprehensive Salesforce Project Management software application. Make sure you check out our other Project Management Best Practices.
