How to Implement Microsoft Project and Project Central

[Robert Mitchell]

My company is a homebuilding company and we are attempting to create a
schedule for all project start up activities. At a high level, the tasks
required are the same (e.g., Develop Land, Determine Product Mix, Apply for
and Obtain Building Permits, etc.) However, below that level, each project is
a unique set of tasks. I would like to be able to accomplish the following,
if possible?

Allow department managers to schedule and assign tasks without being
Microsoft Project experts. Can department managers add duration through
Project Central?

Assign tasks to resources without defining the amount of work to be done. We
want to notify resources of their assignment and the begin and end date, but
not load resources on the plan. Does Project Central allow for messaging
without a number of hours of work being assigned? In essence, we want to use
Project Central to distribute project assignments, but not track hours
worked.

Allow resources to modify the projected start and end dates. Can a resource
in Project Central modify the actual start and end dates (in the future) and
change the projected start and end dates?

Sorry that these questions are somewhat vaque. We are a one man IT shop and
I don't have the resources to fully train department managers on Microsoft
Project. I am hoping to use Project Central to distribute, collect and
publish the information required.

 

[Reid McTaggart]

Allow department managers to schedule and assign tasks without being
Microsoft Project experts. Can department managers add duration through
Project Central?
No.


Assign tasks to resources without defining the amount of work to be done. We
want to notify resources of their assignment and the begin and end date, but
not load resources on the plan. Does Project Central allow for messaging
without a number of hours of work being assigned? In essence, we want to use
Project Central to distribute project assignments, but not track hours
worked.

No. For the approach you want, it could be easier to use Excel. Resources
cannot receive assignments if there is no work defined.

Allow resources to modify the projected start and end dates. Can a resource
in Project Central modify the actual start and end dates (in the future) and
change the projected start and end dates?
No.

Sorry that these questions are somewhat vaque. We are a one man IT shop and
I don't have the resources to fully train department managers on Microsoft
Project. I am hoping to use Project Central to distribute, collect and
publish the information required.

Effectively using a scheduling tool such as project inevitably requires
training. If your organization cannot make that investment, then it really
cannot get much benefit from Project. With no disrespect meant, using
Project for what you want to accomplish is akin to buying a Ferrari to get
you from the house to the curb to check your mailbox. A skateboard would be
cheaper, easier, and faster.

You also mentioned Project Central. In my experience, Project Central is
not something that a one-man IT shop wants to get bogged down with. It will
eat your time and anger your users. Seriously, consider using Excel, or even
Word.

-Reid