Is Project THE Answer?

[mattn]

Dear all, please be gentle - a newbie to Project.

I run the installations of a local kitchen/bathroom firm. We have up to 15
fitters/plumbers/tilers etc working on around 30-40 live projects with a
turnaround time per project from 2 hours to 3 or 4 weeks.

The main problem we have is the rapidity of change to schedules.

Is Project the answer to my dreams of a system of allowing the whole company
visibiltiy to the installations status? or will IU have to go the whole hog
and head down the MRP route...

Any thoughts/suggestions would be gratefully received

much thanks

mattn

 

[Rod Gill]

Firstly, Project is a tool and your best solution will involve
People-Process-Tools so Project on its own can't do it. Secondly, for
Project to add best value you need project managers that can schedule to the
level of detail and accuracy required by your reporting needs.

I suspect you need to start with using Excel, determine what Excel can't do
for you then look at how Project can help plus working on processes to make
the system easier. Finally you will need to train project managers and some
key team members in following your new/revised processes and in using your
new tools then incrementally improve as you go.

--

Rod Gill
Project MVP

Project VBA Book, for details visit:
http://www.projectvbabook.com

NEW!! Web based VBA training course delivered by me. For details visit:
http://projectservertraining.com/learning/index.aspx

 

[Jim Aksel]

Step 1. Define success. What do you want the new tool set to do for you?
If it is to create eye candy on schedule status, Project is a great tool ...
one of several.

However, if success requires answers to questions like "When will the
materials be available for the job?" "Have the Purchase Orders been
processed?" "What impact does this have on overhead?" "Have all components
of this job been invoiced"... then project would only be part of a solution
.... there are other products (along the MRP route) that could be more (or
less) helpful.

So, define your requirements, search for potential solutions, then evaluate.
Project has a free trial download so at least it won't cost you anything to
learn.

--
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Jim

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