EPM Lite - How do we simplify EPM?

[jlanpher]

We have used EPM 2003 since mid-2006 with major frustration. We have
300+ active projects at any moment, with durations from a week to two
years. We use an Infopath based Intake form to input original data
into EPM for display in PWA. We use MSProject to build teams/assign
resources (everyone on team is assigned to the single task known as
'time reporting'), to end a project, and to try to correct data when
MSP's logic changes dates or issues error messages. How do we set up
to be compatible with our needs: Each project has only 1 task, which
is 'time reporting', with 1 to 10 team members. Team members may
participate in any number of projects. We do not pay attention to
members workloads or number of projects or allocate or schedule their
time. Members need to be able to enter as many or as few hours as
they actually put in on each project without the system doing
calculations and issuing error messages or changing dates. We simply
want to assign members to a project with a Start and Finish date and
record their hours. We do not want EPM/MSP to calculate Remaining
Work, change Finish dates, etc. It would be OK for EPM/MSP to not
accept members Task hours before or after Start or Finish date until
Manager changes the date. We would love to have EPM/MSP automatically
approve members hours as submitted.

 

[Chak]

Hello,

It seems to be you are more interested in time tracking.

I also understood, you do not want to do Resource management and
Project management.(you mentioned, we do not pay attention to members
workloads or number of projects or allocate or schedule their time; We
do not want EPM/MSP to calculate Remaining Work, change Finish dates,
etc )

So, you really need MS Project Server for your needs?

You will get more benefit of MS EPM when you track projects and manage
resource allocation plus resource time tracking.

But if you already have MS Project Server, you may consider using
Administrative Projects to track resource time.


Thanks
Chak
http:///www.epmcentral.com

 

[Marc Soester [MVP]]

Hi jlanpher,

EPM is not just a technology, it is process. In order to make EPM
successfull, it is necessarry to have the supporting process or methodolgy in
place and the right governance. It all comes down to project management
maturity.

If your organisation is frustrated around the way Project Server schedules,
then you have 2 options. Option 1 would be to work on your process. Be
restasured that any scheduling engine calculates duration, work and units the
way Project Server does, simply because that is how scheduling works.

Option 2, you may want to see if EPM actually is what you are after. What do
you want to accomplish using Project Server? From what I can read, you guys
dont have a WBS, nor do you do resource management. From what I understand
you are after actual time. Maybe a timesheet solution is what you are after.
It may makes sense that you guys sit down and establish a high level
requirements plan on what you want to accomplish with EPM and take it from
there

I of course dont know any details of your organisation, but I know that many
organisation struggle with the concept of having a software support their
process. Many organisations see EPM as a pure technical solution. Thats where
frustration takes place because the amount of overhead is greater then
originally anticipated.

I hope this makes sense

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

jlanpher --

Based on your description of how you are using Project Server 2003, I think
you have probably selected the wrong tool for your needs. I think you would
do much better by simply purchasing some type of Timesheet software, since
all you really need to do is track your resources' time. Hope this helps.