10.2 Desktop tools
Microsoft Project 2013
- http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/project-help/what-s-new-in-project-2013-HA102749523.aspx
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First release date: 2000
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License: Multiple types, closed source code
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Evaluation
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Well known UI of Microsoft Office Tools
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Complex software: easy to learn basic functionality, hard to master all features
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Default: one user; project server is needed for collaboration
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Team collaboration with Project Server and Microsoft Lync (communication platform with email, chat, etc.)
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Wide set of reports: burn-down chart, cost overview, cash-flow, etc. Charts can be modified with the same methods as in Excel
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The most feature rich project management tool for a single user. Standard Microsoft UI enables Office users for a faster learning curve, though due to its extensive functionality it is hard to master. It has a high license cost. Capable to manage Agile though it is focusing on Waterfall type projects.
Figure 10.1: Microsoft Project – main view
Main UI:
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Default view: task view/Gantt
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Change from tasks to resources view
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Customization available: choose shown meta values per a task
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Tasks can be grouped to custom amount of hierarchies
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Critical paths can be managed
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Resource view: task view/resource sheet
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Add resources with name, type, materials, group, max units, standard rate, overtime rate, cost/use, base calendar, …
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Resource can be assigned to tasks
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Scheduling
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Managing relationships, automatic modifications on dependencies
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Warnings if one resource is utilized more than 100%
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Planner
- https://wiki.gnome.org/action/show/Apps/Planner?action=show&redirect=Planner
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First release date: 2005
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License: GNU-GPL open-source – free to modify, all modifications are to be published for the client/buyer that the modification was made to
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Evaluation
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Desktop application for planning
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No multi-user environment
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Gantt-based planning with milestones, task start and finish dates, needed work hours spent on them and costs.
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Resource allocations for tasks
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Handling task dependencies
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Resource usage view to maximize resource efficiency
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HTML based report exporting
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A lightweight but fully functional cross-platform, single user software making project planning easier. Well fit for sequential, waterfall projects.
Main UI
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Gantt view: add tasks and subtasks with deadlines, resources, dependencies
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Task view: list of tasks
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Resources: manage project resources
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Resource usage: resource load view
Figure 10.2.1: Planner – Gantt view of simple Desktop tool evaluation project
Figure 10.2.2: Planner – Resource utilization chart within project Gantt
Figure 10.2.3: Planner – Task list view