When do I need to upgrade from MSProject 2003 to Project Enterpris

[Cynthia Zeiger]

We are looking at doing a resource pool on a shared drive for our company.
We currently use MS Project 2003. We do not want to get into a situation
where people are locked out from doing updates or any errors occur when
multiple people are accessing their files using the same resource pool. I
understand that it is not an exact science but I'm looking for some real word
data points/examples. How many projects sharing the same resource pool? How
many project managers working on the files potentially at the same time? How
big are the project files (ex. 50 or 500 tasks?) What issues did you run
into? Did MS Project Enterprise resolve your issues? Any other data points
are greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi,

One thing is for sure.
Neither in Project client, nor in Project Server, can a file be updated
simultaneously by more than one user!!!

I've lived a situation at a customer working (well) with 70 projects
totalling 3000 tasks.
HTH

 

[Cynthia Zeiger]

Thank you very much for your reply. I should have made it clear I was
referring to multiple people making updates to their own files sharing a
resource pool. Is your example of 70 projects totalling 3000 tasks with
Project 2003 or Project Server?
Cindy

 

[AndyB]

Hi Cynthia,

I'm operating a resource pool in MSP2003 with currently 27 sharer projects
under 14 project managers. Each plan is around 200 tasks. Although the
resource pool requires constant maintenance from some of the things PM's do
i.e. duplicate resources and file transfer and naming etc. I have so far not
encountered any real problems.

For clarity, we have a share drive that houses the resource pool and a
project directory hierachy that allows for resource pool consolidation in an
organised way. Each PM has a 1/2 hour sit down with me (Planning Analyst)
once a fortnight and review the plans with respect to current status,
resource pool additions and to maintain the Programme mgr's portfolio inputs,
that is to keep the hierachical reporting structure intact.

I too have been asked to look into EPM but there is a feeling of 'if it
ain't broke, don't try to fix it' around here which seems to be winning the
arguement. The company has just aligned the whole PMO (some 76 PM's) to
MSP2003 which has hit them in the pocket so EPM may not happen here for quite
a while I suspect.

I hope you find this post useful.

AndyB.

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Sorry I wasn't clear. It was with Project 2000, so before Server existed.
All was fine but opening all files simultaneously can take quite some time.
But yes, you can have lockouts on resource pool level.

HTH

 

[tonyzink]

Hi Cynthia --

I can't speak much about the point at which shared resource pools might
break, but in addition to being a more robust tool for resource
sharing, Project Server brings a few other major pieces of
functionality, such as online Team Member task updating, a fairly
robust security model, online project reporting, SharePoint
collaboration (project document sharing, project issues tracking, and
project risks tracking), and the possibility of automated integration
with other business systems.

Digressing a bit... in my humble opinion, it sounds like your
organization is taking the right path... beginning with building
detailed project schedules and sharing resources based on robust
Project Management processes, rather than jumping feet-first into a
complex Project Server solution. I've seen organizations try to jump
directly into attempting complex resource management with Team Member
work / time capture, as well as complex collaboration and reporting
using Project Server and SharePoint -- without first establishing a
good Project Management process and MS Project desktop tool foundation
-- and they end up struggling, as well as spending a lot more money and
time than they originally intended. It seems to work well when things
like this are taken one well-thought-out step at a time.

Good luck!

Tony Zink
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