Project Management Central
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Very interesting product, and especially useful for large organizations or virtual teams. Can't tell from the site if it offers enough features to replace MS/Project with Project Central (i.e. resource histograms for leveling, Earned Value reporting, etc.) If it has all of those features, plus allows for Work Breakdown Structure design and display, it could potentially exceed the value of those products.
The big issue I could see is training. This, to me, seems like it sets a somewhat new paradigm and introduces some terminology that is familiar to IT people(i.e. objects), but may not be familiar to the general project management population. If it can be built with a "plug and play" approach (and has all the necessary features), I could see it really taking off. Of course that all depends on what stage of marketing the product is in. Have you had it in use by alpha and beta sites? Is there already a "fan base" that's using it? Is it ready to now be mass marketed? If so, the mass market will need to have their fears eased if they are to move away from what everybody else using (i.e. MS/Project or Primavera). A good book to read on positioning a revolutionary product such as this is "Crossing the Chasm" by Geoffrey Moore. As it is, the product looks potentially extremely valuable (provided all the project management features are there), but the pragmatist organization may resist it out of fear (until they see others in similar positions using it). I do see that it offers a PMBOK template. More info on how that looks and feels would help ease those fears. That said, I love the web site. Much valuable information there. The product looks very intriguing. 
Rebecca Benniston
-, United Kingdom
Jerry
Thank you for your insights I do agree with some of your comments and it is always nice to have an objective point of view from someone who has been there already, so to speak. As for Protocol, its not position to take on MS Project as this would be unprofitable, given their large share of the market. Protocol does include aspects to aid resource allocation, work breakdowns displays and reporting but it does not give the histogram type functionality or earned value reports you have mentioned. I do agree that MS Project is a complex planning tool that is very effective. However, it lacks the ability to effecticely manage the day-to- day activities of project delivery. MS Project also fails to provide a ?big picture? of the project regarding how it fits into the overall strategy of the organisation and it does not provide portfolio management or comparisons, which Protocol does. Other areas that MS Project neglects are features for managing project documents, link information to individual activities or deliverables and incorporating communication and collaboration mechanisms. These are the areas that Protocol has incorporated so it in a sense is not a product to replace MS Project but to enhance it. Furthermore, Protocol does not require the user to move away from other tools such as MS Project for planning, Excel for budgeting/forecasting, or any other previous IT investment. In this case Protocol aids these tool by enhancing the working situation for the user and the organisation. Protocol's difference from other project management tools on the market is that it provides a mechanism for organisations to infuse their project management methodology across the organisation thought the use of templates In my opinion most project management products on the market focus on managing the project but not on supporting a methodology. If they do support a methodology it is a single one and the product is limited to accommodate flexibility for changes in the method or organisation. Protocol has been built with a large amount of flexibility, which allows it to overcome these challenges. As for the terminology of objects etc., I think you have hit on a key area for me to improve on thank you very much for that insight. As far as Protocol?s life cycle it was fully developed with Ericsson AB and has been used across their global organisation since 1999. Alpha and beta sites were utilised then and our ?fan bas? (I like that terminology) is probably telecommunication project managers however, we do have several other manufacturing clients. The marketing position I have taken is to first fully develop and evolve the product with Ericsson before launching it to the general public. In this manner the general public receives a proven tool and is not subject to the type of bugs, patches and constant upgrades that many of MS products have forced on users. I agree with you on the fear factor of moving away from other tools and I think your suggestion of emphasising more PMBOK or Prince2 templates and aspects would help to resolve these fears. Once again thank you for your suggestions and the information on "Crossing the Chasm". I've picked it up this week and it seems like a very valuable book. If there is anything I can do for you or any other questions you may have regarding Protocol please do contact me via email or on +44 191 245 3000 Kind regards Rebecca Benniston Cerres Limited 112/114 Pilgrim Street Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 6SQ United Kingdom Web: http://protocol.cerres.com/ Tel: +44 191 245 3009 Fax: +44 191 245 3001 Email: [email protected] Improve your organisation through http://protocol.cerres.com |
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