P6 vs Microsoft Project

Dear Greg

I can say, you are bit Unlucky.  Some of the Client/ Contractors still using MS project , one of the main reason is the familiarity with Ms- Excel. Also their reluctance  to accept new software possibilities. Some time this will be a problem Especially the present generation planners are only trained in Primavera.

you can do these

1. Practice MS project- it require 1 day( because ,already you have idea about scheduling), and you can download free MS project study materials from  internet, and also use the facility of  Ms project- P6- Export

2. You have to talk with the Client/ consultant, If it is mentioned in the contract then back to point 1

3. you can spilt  the program according to the WBS, and store as separate program but keep all dates and include dummy activities to maintain the dates of original program

4. Moving P6-Mirosoft, is just like Moving Computer to type writer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe the experience of your Client Company with P6 was so bad they have no other option than to take desperate measures.

They should look for better enterprise capable software than these two, almost any CPM software capable to work on enterprise portfolios of jobs can do better job than these two combined.

P6 or MSP that is just program, who is behind that is point.

Look better if I ask to my self, how deep I know to both programs?

On lifting a heavy load the crane capacity matters, it is not just the crane oprator, if the crane cannot handle the load it does not matter how good the operator is. If working on a confined space if the crane cannot get in it does not matter how good the operator is.

It is a phallacy only a single resource matters, it is about the right combination(s).

Greg, Relax.

First off, take whatever you read, or hear about Microsoft Project, with a pinch of salt. Its a good package. I know, I use it. Since 1997.

The latest version, Microsoft Professional 2010, is VERY capable. If you are going to use it with Microsoft Project Server 2010 (as I assume you would, considering the project ranges), then you are covered more or less with everything you could want. It runs on SQL Server 2008. And can pretty much go to UNLIMITED resources and UNLIMITED tasks. So you are safe expansion wise.

Note, that no software package can provide 100 percent of everything. Neither does Microsoft Project 2010. Regardless of what other people tell you, there ARE glaring flaws in the software. Lucky, if you don't need to use those features. Unlucky, if you do.

But, in case of second situation --- you want to use features that are flawed, you are in luck. Microsoft Project 2010, among ALL project management softwares, has the MOST number of addins. Last counted at approximate 200! These addins let you do, what Microsoft Project 2010 on its own, cannot. I know of NO other project software (P3, P6, Asta, Spider Etc) that let you does this.

So, yes, if you use Microsoft Project 2010, then you are covered with 65 percent of your project range and construction industry out of the box. For the rest, there are addins. Of course, it is good to keep in mind that having addins (a lot of them) and Microsoft Project 2010, is still LOTS economical, than having a BIG software (read P6).

Now, I'd suggest 2 ways to become familiar:

1. Take a Microsoft Project 2010 class (useless, in my opinion)

2. Read the BRILLIANT book by Paul Harris (a forum member) on the Microsoft Project 2010. Not only does that book tell you how to become a master (people reading half the book are more experts than the so called trainers in step 1), it also tells you the difference between Microsoft Project 2010, Asta and P6! This is a double bonus, because when the differences come up, you KNOW that these are the ONLY things that cannot be done in P6. Everything else can. How? Well, read the book. (sorry, this is not a plug, but fact. I own his 2010 books --- both on solo project as well as project under PRINCE2)

Finally, you need to take things in your stride. Its NEVER easy migrating from what was *ONCE* an industry standard in project management to the so called, much maligned Microsoft Stack. But you'll get by.

In case you have issues, you can always post here.

Hope that helped. And hope I've not offended anyone here, for that was never my intention.

Cheers.

Lord Horn