Need help understanding necessary components

[BossDoS]

Hi,
I have a group of 6 staff members in my office that want to track tasks to
be completed for several simultaneous projects. They don't need Gantt
charts, etc., but just an application where all can see the status of the
various tasks and have update and print capability. Is MS Project 2007
standard with the server an appropriate implementation? What about WebAccess
& Project 2007 server? The group is currently using the task list on a
calendar but it is no longer practical. Please advise. I've been reading but
can't seem to find the simple answer to my question. Thanks.

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi,

Just to eliminate one option from the many possibilities: Project Standard
doesn't connect to Project Server, as simple as that.

--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
+32 495 300 620
For availability check:
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf

 

[BossDoS]

Thanks Jan. That's why I decided to post my question. I'm not understanding
what components I need. You stated MS Proj Std wasn't an option but hinted
that there were many possibilities. Can you tell me what some of those
possibilities are? Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi,

When re-reading your question my first impression is that Excel is your best
solution.
But you must have more in mind if you are seaching..
In Project Server there are Projects (updated with Project Professional) and
OTOH "Activities and Proposals" that can be made without Proejct
Professioan, just with PWA.
Problem is I don't know much about these - they have far less functioanlity
than projects and I've never seen them being used. So I don't knos whether
tasks in these "mini-projects" can be tracked like are they doone? partially
done? And I think you'll need that.

So what I'm syure of, a combination Server+Professional will do more than
what you want but there may be a simpler solution Server plus PWA.

With a little luck some Server guru will read this and complete the
information.
If not you better re-post in microsoft.public.project.server (this newsgroup
specializes in the dektop versions)

But by all means, one final warning NO, that is NOT ONE, version will allow
more than one user to have write access to an item simultaneously.

HTH

--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
+32 495 300 620
For availability check:
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf

 

[Rod Gill]

Since you say they don't want Gantt Charts etc. I would suspect a low level
of project management maturity. If this is so, Project Server is over-kill.

If you just want a multi-user Task Tracker I would knock something up in
Microsoft Access or even Excel to start with. As needs and skills mature
then look to Project.

--

Rod Gill
Microsoft MVP for Project

Author of the only book on Project VBA, see:
http://www.projectvbabook.com

 

[BossDoS]

Rod,

You're probably right. They are currently using a group calendar to list
their tasks, and as they've become more comfortable with posting their items,
someone suggested they use project. Thanks for responding. Jan De Mess..
basically stated the same thing - project is overkill.

 

[Rod Gill]

Project is not necessarily overkill, but Project Server certainly is!

--

Rod Gill
Microsoft MVP for Project

Author of the only book on Project VBA, see:
http://www.projectvbabook.com

 

[Dave]

As stated by others, Project Server is definitely overkill and you could
probably do what you want in Excel.

That said, if you were to start using Project (standalone) then you
could do what you want relatively easily and then you would have the
opportunity to better your project management. It would be a relatively
cheap investment.

If you go for something like Excel now then you might not have the
impetus to migrate later on so will lose out on the improvement opportunity.

You state that you don't need a Gantt chart but that you want to monitor
the state of your tasks. What better way than a Gantt chart -
everything visible at a glance including start dates, stop dates,
current progress and who worked on what task and when.

 

[Mike Glen]

Hi Jan,

If I had projects to plan and manage I would definitely use a program that
is designed to do that, ie not Excel. The fact that your 6 staff don't need
Gantt charts is irrelevant as YOU need them! Go for Project Standard, take
a couple of days introductory course to get yourself up and running quickly.
Meanwhile you (and your 6 staff also) might like to try my tutorials - see
signature below. That should see you started OK.

Hope this helps - please let us know how you get on

Mike Glen
MS Project MVP
See http://tinyurl.com/2xbhc for my free Project Tutorials