Resource for global template & organizer

[Liz]

I am using Project Server 2003 & Project Pro 2003:

What is the best resource to explain thoroughly what to include and not to
include in the enterprise global template and its various tabs: Views,
tables, filters and reports? I am interested in truly understanding how
things work.

I would like to return our system to an ideal state, where everything is
what it should be and I don't have to be scared of error messages about
duplicate entries in the enterprise global template.

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

Liz --

I applaud you for asking this excellent question!

Your focus in the Enterprise Global file should be mostly on Views and
Tables, as those are the two objects that cause users the most warning
messages. In a nutshell, your Enterprise Global should ONLY contain
enterprise Views and enterprise Tables. The Project Server 2003 system
ships with only one enterprise View (Enterprise Gantt Chart) and one
enterprise Table (Enterprise Entry, used in the Enterprise Gantt Chart
view). Beyond this, there should be NO non-enterprise Views or Tables.
This means there should not be Views like the Gantt Chart, Resource Sheet,
etc. as these are local Views installed on each user's computer. And there
should be no Tables such as the Entry table, Cost table, etc. as these are
local Tables installed on each user's computer.

The only other Views and Tables in the Enterprise Global should be those YOU
create as the Project Server administrator. The presence of non-enterprise
Views and Tables will trigger a warning message EVERY time your project
managers open an enterprise project, and will really irritate them! So,
before you do anything else, open the Enterprise Global file and cleanse it
of any non-enterprise Views and non-enterprise Tables.

Keep in mind that non-enterprise Views and Tables can ACCIDENTALLY appear in
the Enterprise Global file. Here's how. Open the Enterprise Global file.
Click View - More Views, select any non-enterprise View (such as the Gantt
Chart view) and then click the Copy button. At this point, you have
accidentally "polluted" the Enterprise Global file with the Gantt Chart
view, which the system added to the Enterprise Global file when you made a
copy of it. Don't believe me? Try it.

How do you eliminate this problem when creating enterprise Views or Tables?
Very easy. Follow these steps:

1. Open any enterprise project in Read-Only mode.
2. Create your new enterprise View and Table in the Read-Only project.
3. Test the new View and Table in the Read-Only project to make sure they
work properly.
4. Open the Enterprise Global.
5. Use the Organizer dialog to copy ONLY the new enterprise View and Table
from the Read-Only project into the Enterprise Global file.
6. Close the Read-Only project without saving it.
7. Save and close the Enterprise Global file.

Just a few thoughts. Hope this helps.

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

Liz --

You might consider purchasing both of our books on Project Server 2003,
available at:

https://projectdaddy.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?page=2

One book is specifically for Project Server administrators, while the other
books is aimed directly at the needs of project managers. Beyond this, we
also offer on-site training for project managers and administrators. Feel
free to contact our company if your are interested. Hope this helps.

 

[Liz]

Thanks, again! I have requested funds for both books, but already have
permission for one.

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

Liz --

Good for you! Thanks for your business.