Re: Getting Users to USE MS Project

I am branching off of an old post, but it applies to what i'm trying to do. I
am an intern implementing Project, and i'm having a difficult time getting
the lower managers to understand what each view does and how to find the info
that they need. I was asked to find a view that shows each task, in a list,
with all the resources for each of them. Also they would like to see the
units per resource, all in the same view. Is there one view to view this all,
or the most appropriate view to retrieve this information.
I had shown them the ghant chart view because it gives graphical as well as
listed information with resources and units, but they keep telling me that it
doesn't and that it is too complicated. Long question short... is there a
more simple view?

"Ryan" wrote:

First off thanks all posters for your feedback, really great stuff.
Secondly I can't replace the people as I'm lower on the totem pole than them
(I'm just the IS software guy, this is upper level management looking for
better ways to manage and organize their projects - espescially
interdepartmental ones).

Ok, so I had a meeting with management and here's where we are. There are
numerous entities (Project Managers) who have already soured somewhat on MS
Project because of the learning curve involved/ time investment required per
project. What they're looking for is an easy way to see the list of tasks
required per project, allow multiple users to easily view this information,
and notify people when deadlines are approaching. It was suggested that we
even go to a simple Excel spread*** for task management. Gantt Charts,
Resource Tracking, Exact workload times, none of this stuff is important.

What I suggested is that they go ahead and use MS Project but avoid the
advanced features. It's a start and the features will be there when/if they
ever decide to use them. The only problem I'm having now is many of the
Project views are still not real intuitive for new users, but I should be
able to create custom views/reports to suit their needs. Any comments on
this? Thanks!


"davegb" <davegb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1161958356.285633.24730@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

concreteseller@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
Ryan wrote:
We've had MS Project and Project server installed and available for use
for
a number of years (currently running MS Project 2003 w/ Project
Server), the
problem I'm having is getting users to USE it.

Replace users that won't use project with those that will - sounds
pretty extreme, but you asked... and yes I am serious.

I have to respectfully disagree. There certainly are situations where
getting rid of the people who aren't willing to change to a new order
is appropriate. But in this case, as Jim suggested above, the PMs are
probably not the people who should be implementing the software on a
daily basis anyway. It's too complex and sophisticated an application
when used at it's full potential for amateurs to do. I'd hire
professional schedulers to do the daily entry and updating of the
schedules. That way, you have people committed to using Project, it's
what they "do", and the PMs are free to manage projects, which,
presumably, is what they're good at. It's a win/win.




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