Project Server 2007 Implementation - Need assistance

[Dave Richie]

Good Day to all.
I have been handed a task that is outside my current abilities and I have no
choice but to trudge forward. I have been instructed to setup Project server
2007. I was handed a PO for a server license and 50 copies of Project Pro
2007.
I know nothing about the system, how to set it up , how it works, nothing.
Can anyone tell me if there are quick guides to how this system works, basic
setup, how to break the site up for multiple department, etc. Examples would
be most beneficial since I am having trouble relating the documentation to my
particular scenario.
I hope someone can point me in the right direction, I'm on a very tight
implementation schedule (I have 2 weeks to get it ready) and I can't seem to
get this off the ground by myself.

Best regards

Dave R

 

[ahelp]

Two weeks, ouch! Honestly, even for someone with some experience, that's not
realistic.
Here's a start:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/projectserver/default.aspx. You'll find a
deployment guide, planning & architecture, etc.
For future training: http://www.msepmu.com/index.htm
For tips, books, etc: http://www.projectserverexperts.com/default.aspx
There are lots of blogs, here's a couple: http://blogs.msdn.com/project/,
http://blogs.msdn.com/chrisfie/default.aspx
Bon Courage!
Mike

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

Dave --

You have my sincerest sympathies. Your bosses have made a foolish decision
based on a false assumption about Project Server 2007. I think they assume
that since "Office" is included in the name Microsoft Office Project Server
2007, then this means that you can simply pop a CD in a disk drive, install
the software, and then every user can easily figure out how to use it on
his/her own. Unfortunately for you, nothing could be further from the
truth. Because of this, your implementation will probably fail, or at best
it will finish horribly late and overbudget.

Project Server 2007 is a technically complex application with multiple
systems inteacting together. The installation process is not simple, and
any failure or mistake in installing it will leave you a system that does
not work correctly, or not at all. Configuring the system depends entirely
on how your organization manages projects and resources, and on your
organization's reporting requirements. You cannot configure it without
knowing this information.

Beyond this, at a minimum all of your Project Managers need to be trained
how to use Project Server 2007 to manage enterprise projects. It would help
also if they learned how to use Microsoft Project 2007 well before
attempting to learn how to use Project Server 2007. Beyond this, I think
your team members should be trained how to use it, and probably even your
executives as well. It goes without saying that your Project Server
administrators should be trained how to configure and maintain the system.
Has ANYONE in your organization thought of any of this before they mandated
that you get this system up and going in two weeks?

Microsoft recommends strongly that you secure a competent Project Partner to
assist you with implementing Project Server 2007. Our company is one of
many who could assist you. Unlike many others, however, we prove our
competency every day by answering questions in this newsgroup. Look for my
name and the names of Gary Chefetz and Scott Wagner to see if we know what
we are talking about. If we can assist you, feel free to contact us using
either hyperlink in my signature block. Hope this helps.

 

[Dave Richie]

Few things are thought through from beginning to end with this new director
we have. He simply says what he wants, tags an arbitrary date on it, then
unleashes when the date isn't met. It's rough going here now and I'm about
ready to bail out. Ability to reason is not on this guys resume.

Having said that, I'm still stumped on this implementation. I have it
running and I'm able to publish projects to it, but site layout and how to go
about it has be a bit lost.
I wish I could see a sample site and it's administrative console for
reference, or a quick-guide... someone's notes on how to do this and make it
flow properly.
Hiring someone outside isn't an option either, unfortunately. We are a small
not-for profit, there is no money.

 

[ahelp]

There's an EPM Virtual Machine out there, but I think you need to work with a
partner to get it. Maybe Dale can get you pointed in the right direction.

 

[Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]]

It's not availabe for public distribution.

--

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