Is MS Project what we need?

[KeithXP]

We are a small Landscape Architectural practice.

Currently we run Exchange 5.5 on Windows 2000 Server, and Outlook 2003
on workstations. We have 2 offsite staff, using OL2003 and connecting to
their Exchange mail accounts in 'cached mode'.

I am trying to find basic workgroup task management software that will
allow our Principal and/or Manager to view/assign tasks in one central
location. So each worker has his/her task list, but the groups tasks can
also be viewed together and updated (and of course any changes are
reflected back in individual task lists).

I have looked at products like 4Team for Outlook, but it is really peer
based and does not handle a single user having two PC's (desktop &
laptop, office & home office) very well at all.

I'd be grateful for any suggestions.

thanks

Keith P.

 

[Steve House [Project MVP]]

From your description I'd be cautious about using Project. MSP is not "task
management" software in the sense of managing people's task portfolios.
Instead it is work scheduling software, scheduling activities within the
context of clearly defined projects. If you need to determine when is to
schedule a crew to grade a grade a lot and when you should schedule a crew
to plant grass after the grading is done, then Project can help. But if
your need is to supplement Outlook's task list so the boss can track whether
things have been done, etc, it may be a case of hunting flies with an
elephant gun.