Entering % complete

[NewsGroup]

I have created a Project plan and I want my employees to enter the % of work
completed periodically so that I can use the information to track the
progress of my project.
How can I allow them to do so without installing MS Project in each of their
system?

Meena

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi,

(a) Make them go to the computer that has MS project installed to enter
their stuff, or
(b) Make them enter the data on an other medium (e.g. an Excel sheet) and
write a program that copies that into Project (attention - by no means an
easy task) or
(c) Install Project Server and buy them each a CAL (client access license) -
the most complex solution of them all.
Hope this helps,

 

[Rod Gill]

The only solution is something like Project Server which allows your people
to use a web based interface to update schedules with or a time sheet system
that interfaces with project files.

 

[davegb]

I have created a Project plan and I want my employees to enter the % of work
completed periodically so that I can use the information to track the
progress of my project.
How can I allow them to do so without installing MS Project in each of their
system?

Meena

Beyond the technicalities of getting this kind of information into
Project, there is a separate issue of a higher order. Tracking via %
Complete, or even % Work Complete, is generally a very poor way to get
accurate tracking. It's too easy for people to fudge (read exaggerate),
especially when they're behind a bit. So if they really think they're
55% complete, they can convince themselves they'll catch up in the next
few days or weeks and put down 65%, which is where they're supposed to
be.

It's much better to ask for how many hours they've expended on the task
since the last reporting period and how many hours they estimate to
finish. Much harder to fudge these numbers (though, of course, it can
be done).

Either way you report progress, you have the same problem of getting it
into Project. But with the expended/estimated method, you'll get much
more realistic numbers, and way less surprises at the end of the task
and Project.

Hope this helps in your world.