Managing Programs with Project Server 2007

[nmenicon]

I recently downloaded from msdn pages a file named "Scenario: Office Project
Server 2007 Program Deployment" (AM101639671033.vsd) where we can find
following sentence:
"Program Manager:
Using the Program Center in Project Web Access, a program manager can create
a new top-down program, assign some dates, define commitments, and even
define any required custom fields. This program can be built from scratch, or
built from a previously submitted proposal, created by another manager using
Work Tracker."

This is exactly the scenario I have to implement for my customer but I
cannot really understand where I could find (admitting it exists!) this
Program Center.

Any argument about that?

regards,
Nicola

 

[Piet Remen]

Hi Nicola. Not sure of the answer to your question but it sounds very
simillar to the sister product of project server called Project Portfolio
Server. If you have not heard of it, check out the following link and see if
it helps.

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/portfolioserver/FX101674151033.aspx

Trial download:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...6f01-455b-869e-200425931d2d&displaylang=en&tm


Regards,

 

[nmenicon]

Thanks Piet,

I know Porfolio Server and I already tried it.

Portfolio Server best suits in organizations where you have an high number
of project proposal coming from business and you have to decide, through an
appropriate approval workflow, which of them can become real projects. (I've
seen this kind of requirement within Telco companies).

I do not need that kind of process, I already have an established Program
with a controlled number of projects (that is, the overall project number
cannot simply grow) and I need to manage it with Project Server.
This situation is exactly the one described in the mentioned Scenario
proposed by Microsoft.

Thanks

 

[Piet Remen]

Hi Nicola. Just lost my entire reply with a timeout, ARRRGGGHHHH (don't you
just love technology?) so will attempt to regurgitate the response.

I think i found the article you are referring too:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc197654.aspx

I also found a post that reported the term "Program Center" may be a
inconsitent phrase use in some MS articles.

I believe what they are referring to here is the actual [project center].
What you need to do is create a custom lookup table. Enter program
information in the table (can be heirarchal if desired) Then create a project
entity enterprise field and link it to the [program] lookup table. Open
associated project schedules in MSP and select a value for the new program
project custom field. Save and publish the schedule.

Go to project server (PWA) and click on the project center link. From here
you can customise the views filter ang grouping. Apply a grouping by the new
custom field you created to get a program view of projects. The project
center also allows you to edit project info/properrties. There is also the
ability to create proposals from here and enter task information and project
custom field info etc...

Another method could be to use a master project schedule. Not too sure how
well this performs in PS 2007 but if your not familliar with them may be
worth looking into also.

You can also create workspaces from PWA>Site settings in case you wanted to
centrally maintain a workspace at program level. I think the master project
may allow you to do this too. Again i havent done anything with them before
so you may need to do some research.

Hope this information helps point you in the right direction. Have a good day!

 

[Chak]

Hello Nicola,

Project Center 2007 has section called Project Center in Office
Project Web Access.

In Project Center, you can view projects. Generally Program term means
collection of projects. If you have multiple projects belongs to
single strategic effort, you can have Master Project. Master project
will give the Program view for your effort.

Additional reference on Master Project, you may read on our website:

http://www.epmcentral.com/articles/ps07masterproject.php


Thanks
Chak
http://www.epmcentral.com

 

[nmenicon]

Thanks Chak,
I'll go through example on your web site and I think this will clarify my
doubts.

Regards

 

[Chak]

Nicola,

You are most welcome. Don't hesitate to contact, if you have any
questions.

Thanks
Chak
http://www.epmcentral.com