MSProject Server vs MSProject 2003

[Sandra]

Hello!

I've been using MSproject 2003 standard for years. I'm wondering if
MSProject Server would better suit my needs. Would Project Server enable
several people to be working on the same schedule at once? I have a very
large schedule separated into teams. I would love for each team to be able
to update their own area of the schedule. What are the pros/cons/problems
associate with this and can Project Server be the answer to my prayers?

Thanks!

Sandra

 

[Jack Dahlgren]

Project Server does not add any functionality allowing people to work on the
same schedule at the same time.
So if that is what you are looking for, it is not the answer to your
prayers.
Consider using a master project with inserted projects as a way to
distribute different areas of the schedule to individual owners. This can be
done in Project Standard.

-Jack Dahlgren

 

[Sandra]

Thanks for the advice Jack!

I'm a bit disappointed that my prayers were not answered!

We are currently using inserted projects right now and it's working fairly
well. We have eight inserted projects with a shared resource pool. The
projects are becoming so large and we keep adding inserted projects that
there's too much work for one person handle.

The problem is synching up the resource changes when one of the subprojects
is updated since the resource pool can only be open write by one user.

 

[Rod Gill]

Open the resource pool in read only mode. Each PM can then use Tools,
Resource Sharing, Update Pool to temporarily and automatically re-open the
pool in write mode, update the pool, save, close, then re-open the pool in
read only mode.

--

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

 

[Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]]

Sandra:

While Project Server does not give you the ability to have two people edit
the same schedule at the same time, it does add a lot of value to your
situation. First, stand-alone resource pools are a bear to manage. Next, the
server gives your resources the ability to send progress updates to the
project managers, and finally, it adds a lot of cross-project views and
analysis capabilities. This might very well be an appropriate solution for
you to consider, but understand that it is not the proverbial silver bullet.

--

Gary L. Chefetz, MVP
MSProjectExperts
For Project Server Consulting: http://www.msprojectexperts.com
For Project Server FAQS: http://www.projectserverexperts.com

 

[Sandra]

Thank you so much for all of your responses! It's really helped!!!

Do you forsee any problems opening the the subproject and then someone else
opening the same schedule outside the subproject? Other than only one person
can update at a time...it doesn't cause MSProject to crash or anything?

Sandra