Literature / Education

[Kwokman3]

I'm new to projects. Haven't even purchased it yet. I've been told that it
would help make my operation more efficient. That being said, I also heard
that it is rather complex and difficult to pick up without some training.
Can anybody recommend an inexpensive class or a couple of books?

Then, how can all of my staff work off of the same project file / files?
Does somebody have to continually update each computer on our network with
the most current file? I guess my question is, how does projects file serve?

 

[JNB]

For the first part of your question, you can check this out:
http://www.mympa.org/bookstore.aspx#2007

 

[JulieS]

Hello Kwokman3,

My comments are inline.

I'm new to projects. Haven't even purchased it yet. I've been told
that it
would help make my operation more efficient.

[Julie] With all due respect, installing a piece of software will not
make any operation more efficient unless the organization is will to
invest the time and energy in learning how to use the product
effectively. The good news is, from your post, it sounds as though
the willingess to invest the time is at least partially there

That being said, from my experience, oftentimes the most difficult
challenge presented by MS Project is not the software, but it is the
change in the organizational culture -- from a culture where projects
are not *managed* in any sort of meaningful way. The organization
does complete projects, but usually by the "seat of the pants" method
or by the extraordinary effort of the team. (Or sometimes, just sheer
luck.)

So, before you purchase the software and invest the time in learning
the software, you need to be able to quantify what you mean by "more
efficient." How are you going to measure the hoped for increase in
efficiency? What is your project management process? Are the upper
layers of management willing to invest not only the time of you and
your team, but also their time and effort? The desire for a better
project management process in a company must come from the top of the
organization. Okay, now I'll get down off my soap box

That being said, I also heard
that it is rather complex and difficult to pick up without some
training.

[ Julie] I heartily agree. You should find a two to three day
hands-on class on using MS Project taught by a reputable instructor
and company.

Can anybody recommend an inexpensive class or a couple of books?

[Julie] It depends upon what your definition of "inexpensive" is and
would certainly help to know where you are!

Then, how can all of my staff work off of the same project file /
files?

[Julie] A file created in MS Project can only be opened in MS Project.
No version (including Project Server) allows simultaneous read/write
access to a project file.

Does somebody have to continually update each computer on our
network with
the most current file?

[Julie] In order to get the most out of MS Project, you need to not
only plan the work -- but also update the project file with tracking
data -- in other words -- how well are you "working the plan."

I guess my question is, how does projects file serve?

[Julie] See above.
I hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie
Project MVP

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

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi,

I may not have been clear in my previous reply.
Multiple users can access the same file(s) on a server no problem; no need
to copy them onto their computer.
But what they can't is having a file open read/write by more than one user
SIMULTANEOUSLY.
Hope this helps,

--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
+32 495 300 620
For availability check:
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf

 

[Kwokman3]

Thank you for the info!!!

I am currently getting the following error message:

The 2007 Mico Office system does not support upgrading from a prerelease
version of the 2007 mIcro Office system. You must first uninstall any
prerelease versions of the 2007 Micro Office system products.

Help!!

--
Kwokman

Hello Kwokman3,

My comments are inline.

I'm new to projects. Haven't even purchased it yet. I've been told
that it
would help make my operation more efficient.

[Julie] With all due respect, installing a piece of software will not
make any operation more efficient unless the organization is will to
invest the time and energy in learning how to use the product
effectively. The good news is, from your post, it sounds as though
the willingess to invest the time is at least partially there

That being said, from my experience, oftentimes the most difficult
challenge presented by MS Project is not the software, but it is the
change in the organizational culture -- from a culture where projects
are not *managed* in any sort of meaningful way. The organization
does complete projects, but usually by the "seat of the pants" method
or by the extraordinary effort of the team. (Or sometimes, just sheer
luck.)

So, before you purchase the software and invest the time in learning
the software, you need to be able to quantify what you mean by "more
efficient." How are you going to measure the hoped for increase in
efficiency? What is your project management process? Are the upper
layers of management willing to invest not only the time of you and
your team, but also their time and effort? The desire for a better
project management process in a company must come from the top of the
organization. Okay, now I'll get down off my soap box

That being said, I also heard
that it is rather complex and difficult to pick up without some
training.

[ Julie] I heartily agree. You should find a two to three day
hands-on class on using MS Project taught by a reputable instructor
and company.

Can anybody recommend an inexpensive class or a couple of books?

[Julie] It depends upon what your definition of "inexpensive" is and
would certainly help to know where you are!

Then, how can all of my staff work off of the same project file /
files?

[Julie] A file created in MS Project can only be opened in MS Project.
No version (including Project Server) allows simultaneous read/write
access to a project file.

Does somebody have to continually update each computer on our
network with
the most current file?

[Julie] In order to get the most out of MS Project, you need to not
only plan the work -- but also update the project file with tracking
data -- in other words -- how well are you "working the plan."

I guess my question is, how does projects file serve?

[Julie] See above.
I hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie
Project MVP

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

 

[JulieS]

Did you install one of the beta products?

Julie

Thank you for the info!!!

I am currently getting the following error message:

The 2007 Mico Office system does not support upgrading from a
prerelease
version of the 2007 mIcro Office system. You must first uninstall
any
prerelease versions of the 2007 Micro Office system products.

Help!!

--
Kwokman

Hello Kwokman3,

My comments are inline.

I'm new to projects. Haven't even purchased it yet. I've been
told
that it
would help make my operation more efficient.

[Julie] With all due respect, installing a piece of software will
not
make any operation more efficient unless the organization is will
to
invest the time and energy in learning how to use the product
effectively. The good news is, from your post, it sounds as though
the willingess to invest the time is at least partially there

That being said, from my experience, oftentimes the most difficult
challenge presented by MS Project is not the software, but it is
the
change in the organizational culture -- from a culture where
projects
are not *managed* in any sort of meaningful way. The organization
does complete projects, but usually by the "seat of the pants"
method
or by the extraordinary effort of the team. (Or sometimes, just
sheer
luck.)

So, before you purchase the software and invest the time in
learning
the software, you need to be able to quantify what you mean by
"more
efficient." How are you going to measure the hoped for increase in
efficiency? What is your project management process? Are the upper
layers of management willing to invest not only the time of you and
your team, but also their time and effort? The desire for a better
project management process in a company must come from the top of
the
organization. Okay, now I'll get down off my soap box

That being said, I also heard
that it is rather complex and difficult to pick up without some
training.

[ Julie] I heartily agree. You should find a two to three day
hands-on class on using MS Project taught by a reputable instructor
and company.

Can anybody recommend an inexpensive class or a couple of books?

[Julie] It depends upon what your definition of "inexpensive" is
and
would certainly help to know where you are!

Then, how can all of my staff work off of the same project file /
files?

[Julie] A file created in MS Project can only be opened in MS
Project.
No version (including Project Server) allows simultaneous
read/write
access to a project file.

Does somebody have to continually update each computer on our
network with
the most current file?

[Julie] In order to get the most out of MS Project, you need to
not
only plan the work -- but also update the project file with
tracking
data -- in other words -- how well are you "working the plan."

I guess my question is, how does projects file serve?

[Julie] See above.
I hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie
Project MVP

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