Project Management Software Technology Review GISC 6383 Fall 2006 Pam Gidney & Betty Mosier-Kinch

“If you don’t know where you’re going… Any road will get you there.” ~ Lewis Carroll

Getting there… Project Management (PM) software products can help individuals, departments, enterprises and their stakeholders know  “where they are going” and  “what road to take to get there.” Goal – Identify PM solutions for 2 distinctly different businesses

Two Clients: Small & Large Small Company Prefer web-based for easy access at 3 business sites No IT staff available Had never used PM program Want to “test drive” PM software Large Enterprise Many sites in US with existing network Large IT department available for support Staff familiar with MS Project PM program Experienced PM users want enterprise solution

Client Software Needs-General Small Company Able to access from various locations Few users need to edit Easy to use with limited training time Resources limited -  Prefer trial PM solution for users to test Large Enterprise Web or Enterprise server based Many users need to access/edit Training/Set up time is acceptable Resources are not a major issue -  Maximize features &  Minimize cost

What Does Project Management Software Do For You? Scheduling  Gantt charts allow managers to schedule their projects with dates for specific tasks to be completed Example from MS Project Example from Gantt Project

Eventually you get here! What Does Project Management Software Do For You? Calculates Critical Path with a PERT chart Start here (from task list) Then here 1 week 12 High Level Analysis Simple Circle and Arrow Diagram 1 Day 2 weeks Select Hardware Core Module Analysis 12 High Level Analysis 1 week 3 Develop Interface Circle and Arrow Diagram showing two activities that cannot be started until the first activity has been completed. 2 weeks 9 1 week 8 7 Test Modules 1 week Model and Setup Hardware & Software 3 2 weeks3 weeks Core Workup Study Area Office 2 weeks Core Workup Study Area Office 1 week Core Module Analysis 12 High Level Analysis 1 week weeks Programming Supporting Modules 6 Model and Characterize Select Hardware etc...

What Does Project Management Software Do For You? Provides information to management Provides information and direction to staff Resource Usage Reports

Client Software Needs-Features Small Company Task management Dependencies Calendar Gantt Chart Large Enterprise Task management Dependencies Calendar Gantt Chart PERT Chart Resource Leveling Customizable for enterprise

Eliminated PM Solutions Software company web-site is inadequate to evaluate the software features quickly Software is for a specialty industry such as construction or information services projects Ease of use and experience of clients Some features clients preferred were not available

“On the road again…” …with recommended solutions to map a more direct path

Small Company Solution Ace Project Free to $100/month Solution can grow with company

Ace Project by Websystems, Inc.

Ace Project – Pros & Cons PROS Provides beyond basic task management Web-based & hosted by provider, no software/hardware maintenance for client Easy to use Good “Getting Started” instructions CONS Web-based & hosted by provider, not under clients’ complete control Not sophisticated No sub-tasks only work-arounds Monthly service fee Company may not be reliable

Large Enterprise Solution MS Project ($999) + Project Server ($1,499) + Project Web Access ($4,969) (as part of Client Access License)

Project 2003 by Microsoft

MS Project (Pro +)– Pros & Cons PROS Full-featured project management for planning & tracking Network & Web- access is in client’s control The company is established & likely to be around for years (Microsoft) CONS Expensive to implement & maintain Learning time is required Requires IT staff for ongoing support Requires enterprise- wide standardization efforts to be successful

QUESTIONS?

Resources:

Resources: Mind Mapping (another way to think about projects & project management) “How to use mind mapping software for project management” Makar, Andrew, PMP “A Better Project Map” January 12, Makar, Andrew, PMP “What’s Your Schedule Like?” August 25,