P3/Spider Project Comparison

Spider Project Introduction b Spider Project is a professional project management package, the most popular in Russia. It is used by the Russian Ministry of Defense, Gazprom, TNK, major Russian construction companies, etc. It was used in the construction of the Olympic village for the First International Youth Games, Caspian and Jamal - Europe pipelines, etc.

Spider Project Introduction b In Russia this package easily wins the competition with Primavera, Open Plan, Artemis Project View and other known packages offered by the local distributors. b The most attractive feature of this package is a possibility to create a project model that simulates the real processes of project planning, monitoring and control.

Overview b In this presentation we shall briefly compare the features of Primavera Project Planner (a typical high-end PM package) with those of Spider Project. b We shall focus on the differences between these two packages.

Overview b Successful implementation of the software largely depends on the functions provided by this software. Nothing can compensate for the lack of functional features. b We will discuss the difference between the packages concerning the following aspects: information, calculations, reports.

Overview b Information: the information on which the models are based shows if the package can support the different approaches to project planning and simulating the real situations, b Calculations: what the package can really do, b Reports: the output the package produces.

Information - Activity Data b Primavera Project Planner: P3 users must set activity duration, P3 users must set activity duration, Activity does not have its own calendar. Activity does not have its own calendar. b Spider Project: SP users must set activity duration or the volume of work to be done, SP users must set activity duration or the volume of work to be done, If activity volume is set, SP users should also set assigned resource productivity. If activity volume is set, SP users should also set assigned resource productivity. Activity has its own calendar. Activity has its own calendar.

Information - Resource Data b Primavera Project Planner: P3 users set the total resource amount and the cost of the resource’s work hour or unit (for materials), P3 users set the total resource amount and the cost of the resource’s work hour or unit (for materials), Resource has its own calendar, Resource has its own calendar, P3 users cannot set the expenditure of materials by other resources. P3 users cannot set the expenditure of materials by other resources.

Information - Resource Data b Spider Project: SP users set the total resource amount, the cost (cost components) of the resource work hour, materials spent or produced by resource unit per one hour of work (example: car uses petrol), SP users set the total resource amount, the cost (cost components) of the resource work hour, materials spent or produced by resource unit per one hour of work (example: car uses petrol), Resource has its own calendar. Resource has its own calendar.

Information - Assignment Data b Primavera Project Planner: P3 assignment types: Team, Independent. P3 assignment types: Team, Independent. Team assignment - assigned resources should work together, Team assignment - assigned resources should work together, Independent assignment - resources can be assigned to activity and work independently for certain predefined duration, Independent assignment - resources can be assigned to activity and work independently for certain predefined duration,

Information - Assignment Data b Primavera Project Planner: Assignment can be part time but P3 users cannot define the number of assigned resources and their work load - two resource units with 50% work load is equal to one with 100% work load. The number of necessary resources cannot be calculated properly. Assignment can be part time but P3 users cannot define the number of assigned resources and their work load - two resource units with 50% work load is equal to one with 100% work load. The number of necessary resources cannot be calculated properly.

Information - Assignment Data b Spider Project: If activity is volume driven then you shall define assigned resource productivity, If activity is volume driven then you shall define assigned resource productivity, SP assignment types: Team, Independent, Pool. SP assignment types: Team, Independent, Pool. Team assignment - assigned resources should work together. SP users can create predefined resource teams (multiresources) and assign the whole teams and not individual resources. Teams can be hierarchical (team of teams). Team assignment - assigned resources should work together. SP users can create predefined resource teams (multiresources) and assign the whole teams and not individual resources. Teams can be hierarchical (team of teams).

Information - Assignment Data b Spider Project: Independent assignment - resources or teams can be assigned to activity for certain duration or certain volumes, or resources (teams) can be assigned to activity for independent work until the activity volume will be exhausted (in this case you don’t know the resources SP will schedule to work on activity and volumes to be done by each assignment). Thus you can simulate shifts. Independent assignment - resources or teams can be assigned to activity for certain duration or certain volumes, or resources (teams) can be assigned to activity for independent work until the activity volume will be exhausted (in this case you don’t know the resources SP will schedule to work on activity and volumes to be done by each assignment). Thus you can simulate shifts.

Information - Assignment Data b Spider Project: Pool assignment - SP users assign to the activity the group of resources (pool) with the different productivity, cost, calendars and specify the number of pool resources to be used as a team or their cumulative productivity. SP chooses resources to be used during project scheduling (leveling). Pool assignment - SP users assign to the activity the group of resources (pool) with the different productivity, cost, calendars and specify the number of pool resources to be used as a team or their cumulative productivity. SP chooses resources to be used during project scheduling (leveling).

Information - Link Data b Primavera Project Planner: P3 users can assign 4 link types (finish to start, start to start, finish to finish, start to finish) of links with time lead/lag, P3 users can assign 4 link types (finish to start, start to start, finish to finish, start to finish) of links with time lead/lag, b Spider Project: SP users can assign the same 4 link types with time or volume lead/lag, SP users can assign the same 4 link types with time or volume lead/lag, Lag can have its own calendar. Lag can have its own calendar.

Information - Cost Data b Primavera Project Planner: Activity cost is the sum of the assigned resource usage costs, Activity cost is the sum of the assigned resource usage costs, Project cost is the sum of activity costs, Project cost is the sum of activity costs, P3 users can use only one currency, P3 users can use only one currency, P3 users cannot create cost centers and cost hierarchical structures, P3 users cannot create cost centers and cost hierarchical structures, P3 users cannot simulate revenues. P3 users cannot simulate revenues.

Information - Cost Data b Spider Project: SP users can create and use any number of cost components and currencies, SP users can create and use any number of cost components and currencies, Activity cost is the sum of fixed direct cost, cost of materials assigned to activity directly and assignment costs, Activity cost is the sum of fixed direct cost, cost of materials assigned to activity directly and assignment costs, Assignment cost is the sum of assignment direct cost (example - contract cost), cost of resource work hours, cost of materials both used by assigned resource and assigned directly. Assignment cost is the sum of assignment direct cost (example - contract cost), cost of resource work hours, cost of materials both used by assigned resource and assigned directly.

Information - Cost Data b Spider Project: Cost is calculated separately for each component and their groups defined by users, Cost is calculated separately for each component and their groups defined by users, Money and materials can be not only spent but also created on activities and assignments, Money and materials can be not only spent but also created on activities and assignments, SP users can create and use any number of hierarchical cost centers, which include cost components and project objects (phases, resources, materials). SP users can create and use any number of hierarchical cost centers, which include cost components and project objects (phases, resources, materials).

Information - Breakdown Structures b Primavera Project Planner: P3 users can create and use one Work Breakdown Structure, P3 users can create and use one Work Breakdown Structure, P3 users can create and use several activity codes and then group activities by codes, P3 users can create and use several activity codes and then group activities by codes, The maximal number of WBS levels is 20. The maximal number of WBS levels is 20.

Information - Breakdown Structures b Spider Project: SP users can create and use unlimited number of Work Breakdown Structures, SP users can create and use unlimited number of Work Breakdown Structures, SP users can create and use unlimited number of Resource Breakdown Structures, SP users can create and use unlimited number of Resource Breakdown Structures, SP users can create and use unlimited number of Cost Breakdown Structures, SP users can create and use unlimited number of Cost Breakdown Structures, SP users can create and use unlimited number of Material Breakdown Structures, SP users can create and use unlimited number of Material Breakdown Structures, Any structure has unlimited number of levels. Any structure has unlimited number of levels.

Information - Databases b Primavera Project Planner: The library of project fragments that can be inserted into other projects «as is», The library of project fragments that can be inserted into other projects «as is», P3 users should edit the fragment data manually to adjust activity duration and resource assignments, P3 users should edit the fragment data manually to adjust activity duration and resource assignments, No other databases or references can be applied. No other databases or references can be applied.

Information - Databases b Spider Project: SP users can create any number of databases that can be used in any project. The data in these databases can be applied to the project activities, resources, assignments, links. These databases help to create and use corporate standards (norms). SP users can create any number of databases that can be used in any project. The data in these databases can be applied to the project activities, resources, assignments, links. These databases help to create and use corporate standards (norms).

Information - Databases b Spider Project: Typical databases (references) include: Typical databases (references) include: – resource productivity and work loads on different assignment types, – material requirements per one unit of activity or assignment volume, – cost components per one unit of activity or assignment volume.

Information - Databases b Spider Project: The library of typical project fragments can be used in any project and serves as the corporate technological standards. Fragments are usually defined for the standard volume of work (1 km, 100 cubic meters, etc.). The library of typical project fragments can be used in any project and serves as the corporate technological standards. Fragments are usually defined for the standard volume of work (1 km, 100 cubic meters, etc.). Inserting the library fragment into project SP users define the volume of work for this fragment in the current project. Fragment data are then automatically adjusted. Inserting the library fragment into project SP users define the volume of work for this fragment in the current project. Fragment data are then automatically adjusted.

Calculations - Scheduling b Primavera Project Planner: P3 produces resource (not material or cost !!!) constrained schedules, P3 produces resource (not material or cost !!!) constrained schedules, P3 users can choose simple scheduling rules based on activity prioritization by information fields. P3 users can choose simple scheduling rules based on activity prioritization by information fields. P3 scheduling algorithms are too primitive to produce good schedules. P3 scheduling algorithms are too primitive to produce good schedules.

Calculations - Scheduling b Spider Project: SP produces resource, material and cost (and any cost component) constrained schedules, SP produces resource, material and cost (and any cost component) constrained schedules, SP suggests three levels of schedule optimization ( standard, thorough, optimization ) and support of the previous version. The last function is necessary for the schedule stability if the project data were changed. SP suggests three levels of schedule optimization ( standard, thorough, optimization ) and support of the previous version. The last function is necessary for the schedule stability if the project data were changed.

Calculations - Scheduling b Spider Project: Resource constrained schedules produced by SP usually are shorter (and never longer) than the schedules produced by P3 or other PM packages. It means better resource utilizing, larger reserves, lower time risks and lower project cost. Resource constrained schedules produced by SP usually are shorter (and never longer) than the schedules produced by P3 or other PM packages. It means better resource utilizing, larger reserves, lower time risks and lower project cost. Example: The real Gas Refining Plant construction project scheduled by SP lasted 23 months, scheduled by P months. All project data were the same... Example: The real Gas Refining Plant construction project scheduled by SP lasted 23 months, scheduled by P months. All project data were the same...

Calculations - Scheduling b Spider Project: Skill scheduling - SP chooses resources to be used from the activity resource pools, Skill scheduling - SP chooses resources to be used from the activity resource pools, SP chooses resources to be used for independent assignments. SP chooses resources to be used for independent assignments. Next slides show small project - Software evaluation and purchase scheduled by Spider Project and Primavera Project Planner. Spider schedule is 3 weeks shorter and this is typical. Next slides show small project - Software evaluation and purchase scheduled by Spider Project and Primavera Project Planner. Spider schedule is 3 weeks shorter and this is typical.

SP Resource Schedule for Software Purchase project

P3 Resource Schedule for Software Purchase project

P3 Resource Schedule for Software Purchase project Schedule Comparison Spider / P3

Calculations - Cost b Primavera Project Planner: P3 calculates planned cost of project elements (activities, assignments, phases, etc.), P3 calculates planned cost of project elements (activities, assignments, phases, etc.), P3 calculates distribution of planned project cost by time periods, P3 calculates distribution of planned project cost by time periods, P3 calculates basic Earned Value data - BCWS, BCWP, ACWP. P3 calculates basic Earned Value data - BCWS, BCWP, ACWP.

Calculations - Cost b Spider Project: SP calculates planned cost of project elements (activities, assignments, phases, etc.) for any cost component and cost center. SP calculates planned cost of project elements (activities, assignments, phases, etc.) for any cost component and cost center. SP calculates distribution of remaining planned project cost (for any component and cost center) by time periods, SP calculates distribution of remaining planned project cost (for any component and cost center) by time periods, SP calculates cash flow for any cost component and cost center. SP calculates cash flow for any cost component and cost center.

Calculations - Cost b Spider Project: SP calculates the full range of Earned Value Data (BCWS, BCWP, ACWP, CV, SV, ETC, BTC, etc). SP calculates the full range of Earned Value Data (BCWS, BCWP, ACWP, CV, SV, ETC, BTC, etc). SP calculates distribution of actual project cost (for any component and cost center) by time periods, SP calculates distribution of actual project cost (for any component and cost center) by time periods, The same calculations can be applied to any material and material center. The same calculations can be applied to any material and material center.

Calculations - Resources b Primavera Project Planner: P3 calculates planned time distribution of resource work load (in time units). Example: on September 15 project will need workers for 20 work hours. P3 calculates planned time distribution of resource work load (in time units). Example: on September 15 project will need workers for 20 work hours. b Spider Project: SP calculates planned and actual time distribution of resource work load (work time and quantities). Example: on September 15 project will need 5 workers for 4 work hours. SP calculates planned and actual time distribution of resource work load (work time and quantities). Example: on September 15 project will need 5 workers for 4 work hours.

Reports b Primavera Project Planner: P3 has many predefined reports and the interface with Report Smith - special software for report writing, P3 has many predefined reports and the interface with Report Smith - special software for report writing, P3 graphic reports include Gant Charts, PERT Charts, Histograms. P3 graphic reports include Gant Charts, PERT Charts, Histograms.

Reports b Spider Project: SP suggests to print any table created on screen, or export data in CSV format (the standard format for data exchange, which can be read by any office program - Word, Excel, etc.), SP suggests to print any table created on screen, or export data in CSV format (the standard format for data exchange, which can be read by any office program - Word, Excel, etc.), SP can export project information to SQL databases (Oracle, Interbase, Access). SP can export project information to SQL databases (Oracle, Interbase, Access). SP graphic reports include Gant Charts, PERT Charts, Histograms and Organizational Charts. SP graphic reports include Gant Charts, PERT Charts, Histograms and Organizational Charts.

Spider Project Specifications - Power b Unlimited number of activities, resources, links, calendars, cost components, cost centers, WBS, RBS, resource centers, material centers, hierarchical levels, b Any number of project versions and baselines. b Time can be measured in seconds.

Spider Project Specifications - Activities, Resources & Links b Duration driven, Volume driven, Hammock and Milestone activities. b Resources, Materials, Resources can utilize materials, b Activity and Resource Calendars, b FS, SS, FF, SF links with the time or volume lead/lag. b Lag calendars.

Spider Project Specifications - Assignments b Resource and material assignment to activities. b Team, Independent and Pool assignments, b Independent assignments with undefined volumes of work to be done, b Pool definition by quantity or productivity, b Part time assignments with the true quantity definition.

Spider Project Specifications - Databases (examples) b Activity type - material requirements, b Activity type - cost component requirements, b Assignment type - material requirements, b Assignment type - cost component requirements, b Assignment type - Resource workload, b Materials - cost components per unit.

Spider Project Specifications - References b Library of typical project fragments, b Predefined Teams, b Predefined Pools, b List of materials, b Any user defined.

Spider Project Specifications - Graphics b Activity Gant, b Resource Gant, b Project Network, b Resource Histograms, b Cost and material curves, b Organizational Charts.

Spider Project Specifications - Calculations b Project scheduling, b Resource, cost and material constrained scheduling (with optimization !!!), b Cost (cost components) and material flows, b Resource usage (both amount and work hours), b Data roll up by any structure and center, b Earned Value Analysis.

Spider Project Specifications - Data management b Unlimited number of user defined project databases, b Unlimited number of project versions and baselines, b What if analysis, b Project history, b Multiproject management, b Group work with the project data.

Spider Project Specifications - Project monitoring b Monitoring actual time spent, accomplished volume, earned cost and materials for activities and assignments, b Performance reports for any phase and the project for any time period, b SP users keep project history saving current project versions including all actual data to the moment. These versions are always available and create project case study.

Benefits b Spider Project gives project managers much more tools for the proper project simulation and optimization. It supports all PM processes from initiation to closing. b SP supports corporate standardization of PM approach and data by using of corporate databases, libraries, archives available for use in any project.

Pricing and History b Spider Project cost in Russia is $3000 for the first and $1000 for every next installation at the same site. b SP appeared at the Russian market in the beginning of 1993 and in the same year was exhibited locally and abroad - Leipziger Messe, Systems-93 (Leipzig and Munich, Germany). Now the package is widely used. b Current version is 6.30.