Does anybody know of any new tools available for tracking interdependencies between big programmes?
Ideally - an easy maintainable simple timeline and milestones + connectors, which you would not need to align manually, but adjust the values and get the nice picture ready..Good to have highlighted High risks etc.
Currently it is a manual heavy-lifting in PowerPoint. MS Project is not used.
Why not consider the use of MS Project, but purely for tracking at the milestone level for the program? Assuming the individual project managers have detailed schedules for their projects, if they communicate those dates to the Program Manager on a regular basis, the integrated program milestone schedule could be maintained with minimal effort.
Kiron
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1 reply by Ruslina Sitorus
Feb 23, 2019 2:35 AM
Ruslina Sitorus
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Thanks Kiron,
Unfortunately MS Project is not used by many. The main problem here though would be an output lacking flashy symbols and bold lines powerpoint has. We all know how these are expected at the steerco pressies...
Why not consider the use of MS Project, but purely for tracking at the milestone level for the program? Assuming the individual project managers have detailed schedules for their projects, if they communicate those dates to the Program Manager on a regular basis, the integrated program milestone schedule could be maintained with minimal effort.
Kiron
Thanks Kiron,
Unfortunately MS Project is not used by many. The main problem here though would be an output lacking flashy symbols and bold lines powerpoint has. We all know how these are expected at the steerco pressies...
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1 reply by Kiron Bondale
Feb 24, 2019 11:18 AM
Kiron Bondale
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Ruslina,
let's separate managing the dependencies from presenting them. The programme manager can do the former in MSP but the latter can be done via an export into a "flashier" tool.
Finding a single tool to balance the scheduling maturity to handle cross-project dependencies AND the ability to have something be senior management presentation-ready may be tricky without lots of customization. For example, the enterprise version of MS Project could likely do this, but there would be lots of effort spent in customizing the presentation of the timelines.
You may need to check Primavera. MS Project can also be considered.
Primavera is awesome but not in the portfolio of products we use and expensive to implement/ maintain. Thank you for thinking with me Abolfazl! Saving Changes...
Unfortunately MS Project is not used by many. The main problem here though would be an output lacking flashy symbols and bold lines powerpoint has. We all know how these are expected at the steerco pressies...
Ruslina,
let's separate managing the dependencies from presenting them. The programme manager can do the former in MSP but the latter can be done via an export into a "flashier" tool.
Finding a single tool to balance the scheduling maturity to handle cross-project dependencies AND the ability to have something be senior management presentation-ready may be tricky without lots of customization. For example, the enterprise version of MS Project could likely do this, but there would be lots of effort spent in customizing the presentation of the timelines.
Kiron Saving Changes...
Deepesh RammoorthyICT Project Manager ( PMP®AgilePM®Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM®))| Australian Red Cross Blood ServiceTarneit, Vic, Australia
Ruslina, as I see it , your problem is not with the lack of a Program Management Tool
It's more about not having a Good Project coordinator who can provide value with the "Flashy Presentation "
As a PM , your work should be focused on Delivering projects, and the coordinator should assist you with the Flashy bits.
Remember , The managers sitting in the steerco today and demanding flashy power points were in your position some day. Saving Changes...
Ashleigh Kennett-SmithICT Project Manager| Australian Red Cross LifebloodAdelaide, South Australia, Australia
Hi Ruslina. I agree with Kiron and Deepesh that the "flashy" bits need to be separated from the capture of accurate and timely data.
Unfortunately I can't offer a concrete example however you can export data from Project and this can be imported into other programs such as excel (not sure about Visio). I have done this in the past but cannot put my hands on the process. With Excel you could import the data and create a horizontal bar chart or similar? This could be pasted into PowerPoint if you needed a "slide". Saving Changes...
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