Use of Project Server vs SharePoint

[Kathy S]

Is anyone using MS Project standalone within SharePoint (not using
Project Server)? We have tried unsuccessfully to have resources enter
their time in PWA, however, we are tired of fighting this battle. We
do not feel that the hours in MSP accurately reflect the hours worked
on projects. Because of this issue, management no longer request/
generate reports from Project Server. Also, when PWA time is posted
to the project, dates in the schedule changes and PMs do not realize
the dates change until our management asks why the project schedule
does not appear accurate. We are considering dropping Project Server
and set up a Projects site in SharePoint where all projects are listed
and linked to the mpp file and supporting documents.

We would love to hear any pros and cons regarding this change and if
anyone has tried using SharePoint outside of Project Server.

Thank you,
Kathy

 

[Christophe Fiessinger [MSFT]]

A first pass, I assume you are leveraging the Resource pool? How about
reporting with views, dashboards, performance indicators to track your
business?
if the answer is yes they stay with Project Server!
Further there might be enhancement in the next version that you might want
to leverage (expect disclosure at the upcoming Project Conference in
September, http://www.msprojectconference.com/)..., so I would rather scale
back the usage of PS today but not drop it.

 

[Jackson T. Cole]

PS 2003 or 2007?

Yes, keep using PS if nothing more than a glorified file share until you
can get the consultancy, education, and training into the organization. The
organization I have been for over a year sounds about like yours, and I am
going to take that approach in implementing PS 2003 this year - one step at a
time!

A bit of history on how you got to this point might be helpful and
enlightening! Was PS brought on board by management seeing the need for EPM,
or by someone who thought it "looked cool"? How would you rank you PM
staff's competency and confidence, "1" being raw novices, "10" being
qualified to write PMP exams for PMI(or MS Project exams for Microsoft!)?

Good Luck!

JTC

 

[Aviva Carmen, PMP, MCP]

Is anyone using MS Project standalone within SharePoint (not using
Project Server)?  We have tried unsuccessfully to have resources enter
their time in PWA, however, we are tired of fighting this battle.  We
do not feel that the hours in MSP accurately reflect the hours worked
on projects.  Because of this issue, management no longer request/
generate reports from Project Server.  Also, when PWA time is posted
to the project, dates in the schedule changes and PMs do not realize
the dates change until our management asks why the project schedule
does not appear accurate.  We are considering dropping Project Server
and set up a Projects site in SharePoint where all projects are listed
and linked to the mpp file and supporting documents.

We would love to hear any pros and cons regarding this change and if
anyone has tried using SharePoint outside of Project Server.

Thank you,
Kathy

Yikes! Don't drop Project Server... I've successfully taken about 40
Project Managers at my last consulting gig from Excel Addiction to
Dynamic Scheduling in Project Server. It took a lot of training and
mentoring, but they all felt it was worth it in the end, and we
couldn't possibly have managed our $40+ million program without it.
Project Server was our ONE POINT OF TRUTH about what was going on and
all Status Reporting and Weekly Executive Governance Reports came
straight from Project Server.

Give it up and you've lost an amazing tool.

Aviva Carmen, PMP, MCP
Project Server Consultant / Trainer / Evangelist / Friend
(I was dubbed with that last title a couple of days ago by a Microsoft
EPM Manager. I'm changing my business cards )

 

[Ben Howard]

Hi Cathy,
I've read the other replies, so here's my 2p worth....
A successfull Project Server deployment relies on People, Process and tools,
in that order. Your people are not on your side. You need to work out how
to get your resources on your side (carrot and stick?). IMHO there isn't
much point in flogging a dead horse, so take some time to re-evaluate what
you are trying to do and who you need to get on your side. Rush nothing and
accept minor victories. Loose some battles to win the war. I could go on
(and sometimes do!)

Also, tools are worth nothing unless you invest in the training, make sure
the training is framed with the above in mind....

Good luck...

 

[Rolly Perreaux]

Hi Aviva

That's been my experience too.

Unfortunately most organizations just expect that when they install Project
Server their project management methodology will automatically be
configured. As I tell them... installing the easy part. The configuring and
training is what takes a lot of time.

For Kathy...
I would strongly recommend finding an EPM consultant to help your
organization with your deployment. Project Server is an amazing too once you
it properly configured (for your org) and have your PMs trained.

Good luck,

 

[Mark E. Read]

Hi Kathy,

Some management would rather not deal with the truth, and persist in
managing via FUD rather than data.

The reason the Project Server architecture is superior to a standalone
Project/SharePoint architecture is the capability to decompose and
recompose multiple resource transactions across large teams and keep
it sane in a scalable data model

If you are serious about resource AND schedule management, this
platform rocks.

That being said, it is expensive to push for the cultural change
required to keep this data in line. If PMs aren't held accountable
for bad data, then the whole database can reflect poorly on it's
sponsors. It takes time, training, commitment, feedback loops,
reinforcement, reports and a whole lot of fortitude to move forward,
as well as the ability to distinguish again and again between what the
application does and what people should do.

Is it worth the effort? Depends on whether your company's culture/
survival is dependent upon execution or not.

Let me know if we can help you be successful here.

--Mark