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george parker wrote:
I always found that the biggest problem with MSProject, or any other project management software, was valuable time being taken by wrestling with using said software by all and sundry. Especially the project leader whose time could be better spent managing. The best way I've seen it used was by one member of the team, not the project manager, to become proficient in the software and everyone else to feed into him/her. Updated copies were available to all and everyone could get on with their jobs.
I think "Project Manager" is a variable title.Like you I've seem Project planning software pretty much only be useful to the guy who is doing the resource planning, rarely is that the most senior person.
Although in my case the guy who made best use of project planning software, reminding us all in appropriate time which bits of work others needed completed for them to progress and keeping tabs on each piece of work, is now CEO of his own company. Employing many of his old managers. So I guess it does work with the right training and attention to detail.
As for non-specialists trying to use MS Project, all that happens is that the estimated completion date disappears several centuries into the future, and someone who knows what they are doing has to figure out why.
I regard project planning, a bit like writing software, I've met people who can do it well, and that destroyed all my motivation to be a rank amateur at the same task. Now my partner Faye could organize the D-Day landings without a computer, urm just like they did in the war.
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