Do I need Project Server to manage multiple projects?

[Jim C.]

I am Director of Production and Sr. Project Manager for a mid-sized (50)
Architectural Firm. We have used Project Scheduler 7 (Scitor) to create Gantt
charts but have not used it to "manage" resources as intended. At the time we
bought it, MS Project could not assign resources to multiple projects from a
common resource pool.

I am getting pressure from new PMs and clients to consider MS Project. From
what I've read, one copy of MS Standard Project would be sufficient since
access by the PMs would be limited and could be staggered and I would handle
reporting and resource assignments.

I want the capability of combining all active projects into one report and
assigning resources from a common pool. Can this be done without MS Project
Server?

 

[Jim Aksel]

Absolutely yes!
--
If this post was helpful, please consider rating it.

Jim
It''s software; it''s not allowed to win.

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for FAQs and more information
about Microsoft Project

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

Jim C --

Yes, you could do what you need to do without purchasing Project Server.
Using the Microsoft Project Standard desktop application, you can create a
shared resource pool file to which your PM's can attach their projects and
then assign resources from this common pool to tasks. You can also create a
master project that includes all of your current projects, and from there,
you can do program analysis on your collection of projects. If you move to
Project Server, you can do all of this, and so much more as well. Hope this
helps.

 

[Jim Aksel]

I re-read your post and it asks essentially the same question but in two
ways. One way in the title, another way in the question. This may make my
initial answer unclear. So, let me be as clear as I can:

What you want to accomplish can be done with the desktop version: Microsoft
Office Project Standard or Professional. You do *not* need Project Server to
meet this requirement.
--
If this post was helpful, please consider rating it.

Jim
It''s software; it''s not allowed to win.

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for FAQs and more information
about Microsoft Project

 

[Jim C.]

Dale: Thanks for the quick response. I'll hang onto this for reference.

 

[Jim C.]

Jim: Thanks for the quick response. Very helpful.