Hey everyone. I've just recently been hired by a very large corporation to review the PM methodology and practices of the organization and help implement a PlanView solution. Unfortunately, most of the managers here use Excel to track their tasks and issues, and I may have a bit of a challenge getting them to switch to something more complex like MS Project (which is integrated with PlanView). I have two questions:
1) Is PlanView capable of integrating with Excel? and if not:
2) Does anyone have any tips on getting resistant users to adopt a new PM tool like Project?
Change is always difficult. We have some more junior mgrs, doing smaller projects here, and they continue to use Excel. MS-Project is just too complicated for their needs.
Two thoughts for you though, with regard to your question...
1) Build yourself a charter/plan. By doing this you'll ask all the hard questions of WHY are you doing this, and WHAT do you hope to accomplish? In otherwords, what value will you and your employer gain from doing this change. It will be expensive too, as you have a team of people who will have to learn something new...lost productivity, mistakes, learning curve, etc are all considerations.
2) Get a training course for them. If you convince them to make the switch...give them a jump start. Don't leave them to figure it out on their own. If you do so...you will fail! Find a introductory training course that will give them all the basics, including a flow of work. Through the course you will teach them the benefits. My recommendation...get someone from the outside...a third-impartial-party. If the course is coming from you, and they're resistant to begin with they might view it as you blowing your/MS-Project's horn.
Just my 2cents worth. Saving Changes...
Anonymous
I am a very senior PM and have led some very large and complex projects. I still use Excel for most of my work. I have yet to find a PM tool that isn't more trouble than its worth. Most don't allow the modeling of projects in the way they are actually managed and thought about. At least with Excel you can build a model that conforms more to practice than theory. Saving Changes...
