Alicia McCollPMO Analyst| NoneFarnham, Surrey, United Kingdom
I'm looking for a piece of software that is better for Gantt charts. The MSP ones are just too complicated/busy for presentations even when I contract down, and just have the header task name, there is often too much information for who I'm presenting to. Saving Changes...
Andrew - Tnx for the tool. Tested it and looks nice.
Mayte- Nice simple tips in your article
And of course...
Alyssa - tnx for posting the question Saving Changes...
Wade HarshmanScrum Master| GDITIndianapolis, In, United States
May 22, 2017 10:33 AM
Replying to Aaron Porter
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I don't normally share the MSP file with others - they don't want to go through the details. Instead, I prepare a higher level timeline in Visio, using the CFF/Swimlane template.
I've done this, and the teams seemed to appreciate it, but I could never get over the feeling that I was creating waste by manually producing a timeline from a digitally stored project. It feels a bit like drawing a pie chart in MS Paint to represent data in MS Excel. Saving Changes...
Lonnie PacelliAuthor & President| ProjectManagementAdvisor.comBellevue, Wa, United States
Before you look at the tool, consider asking around to your peers for something that has worked particularly well with your management. Too many times I've seen project managers recreate the wheel without understanding what else exists in their organization that works well and engages execs. Saving Changes...
Darren McCreaDirector, Enterprise Information Services| Central Oregon Community CollegeBend, Or, United States
May 22, 2017 7:16 PM
Replying to Drew Craig
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We all agree that the goal is to convey a picture of the project as simply as possible - At a Glance. In short, we are trying to encapsulate our beautiful gantt chart, into an abstract depiction of the same for high level presentation.
There is a cool product, which I learned from a member here in another thread - Office Timeline (https://www.officetimeline.com/timeline-template). The price is reasonable, and it will allow import of your MSP file to create the timeline automatically. Also a free version, very restricted though - of course.
There are then various ways to present it. You can then view sample dashboards from Pinterest Project Management boards for ideas/templates to plug you're new beauteous timeline into! (search project management dashboards).
Have Fun!
Great suggestion Andrew! I had never heard of Timeline before and just downloaded it. Even the free version allowed me to create a high-level timeline of a smaller project I am about to undertake. Thank you (and thank you Alyssa for asking the question)! Saving Changes...
Product Operations Program ManagerBarcelona, Cataluña, Spain
Hi Alyssa,
I might be a bit late, but I would still recommend the Timeline feature in MS Project. It provides a customized high level chart that includes call-outs, milestones or any other information that you deem necessary. Saving Changes...
Mike DewingSenior Project Manager / Program Manager| MLD Holdings Ltd.Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
Personally I like MS Project - the ability to expand and collapse allows you to discuss the project without looking at all the details and in 2013 the timeline feature is great. Saving Changes...
Walid ElgamalIT Project Manager | DoxPRO Consulting Herndon, Va, United States
It really all depends on the audience, if you use MSP for executives and customers it will look like an unknown foreign language, but with other PM, solution architects, technical staff, Excel or Visio will be unacceptable lack of details Saving Changes...
Yvette StanwayRegulatory Program Advisor| Transport CanadaOttawa, Ontario, Canada
May 22, 2017 11:26 AM
Replying to Alicia McColl
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Thank you that is very helpful.
Hi Alyssa,
I don't see Chris' solution for you in this thread. Could you share please when you get the chance? Thanks in advance. Saving Changes...
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