PowerProject Vs Primavera

David,

Sciforma PS8 (PSN8 in France) is well ahead of PowerProject where buffers and Critical Chain Method are concerned

CCM is 100% implemented in PS8, when PowerProject is only able to maintain buffers tasks

But PS8 is not well known in the UK

Alexandre

You might be interested in reading the recent CIOB survey ’Managing the Risk of Delayed Completion in the 21st Century’. You can download a copy for free at www.ciob.org.uk/resources/research.



The bit on ’Software used to prepare the construction schedule’ (chart 22 at page 24) has results that aare different to all other recent surveys saying Microsoft Project is the most widely used software in the construction industry!



Putting that to one side, Primavera products scored 21% and Asta products score 25%.



I don’t know if the authors are biased or ignorant but there is a section on software usage as they go on to say ’Each of the more sophisticated planning tools, such as Pertmaster, Primavera P3, P3e and Primavera SureTrak were used by less than 10% of respondents each.’ The implication being that Asta Powerproject and Teamplan are not sophisticated planning tools!

Hi David



Buffers are an excelent tool in time management of work in progress.



Powerproject’s flexible calendars are also very useful.



I have just completed an extension of time - acceleration analysis by the sole means of different calendars and work patterns.



The fact that you can set up any non-work period and give it a different name and colour on the barchart adds to the visual impact.



Best regards



Mike Testro

May I add to the list the Buffer Task

Surely an innovative development that I forecast all software will follow. It make Powerproject the only NEC£ compliant software in my opinion.

Hi KD



Check with Asta first but in UK - after your trial period - you can pay by Visa and they will email a license key to unlock the software.



All help and tutorials is either on line or in the software.



There is an optional yearly payment for updates and technical support.



Best regards



Mike Testro

Hi KD



Sorry but 14 days is all they allow.



Once you have downloaded the software you buy a license key to give full operation.



Normal costs are £850.00 but there are some special offers on now at about £650.00.



Best regards



Mike Testro

Hi KD



Google Astadev - go to the home page - request a 14 day trial package. You may have to phone the sales number in UK.



This Monday 26th May is a public holiday.



Best regards



Mike T.

I prefer Power Project being powerful and easy tool as compared to Primavera. Due to the reason P3 has mostly replaced by Power Project in UK.

Oh - I forgot one more.



8. You can convert P3 to PowerProject and back again at any time.

Hi There.



Benefits over P3 - too many to mention all at once - in no particular order of importance.



1. The ability to cut and paste data from spreadsheets to chart columns - an As Built Chart done in seconds - Progress update even quicker.

2. Infinite flexiblility in calendars and work patterns - down to seconds if needs be. + change calendars for the whole year in two clicks.

3. Task per line mode allows multiple activities on one bar with links up and down between tasks on different bars - as near as you will get to a line of balance programme.

4. Stunning graphics with page breaks where you want them and curved vertical links + any number of print combinations.

5. Once you have got the hang of the VIEWS feature then saved views for any stage of your project can be brought up instantly.

6. Infinite UNDO and/or REDO button - even after a reschedule - back to the last SAVE.

7. Very simple border presentation - set the colours of your codes in the software and they come up on the legend - no external links to powerpoint et al.



I often ponder over why P3 is so popular - it is after all based on very old DOS based 16 bit technology. P5 and P6 is getting better but it is still so inflexible.



I am not a convert - I bought my 1st PowerProject software 15 years ago - V3 on 8 31/4 in floppy’s - and was annoyed that I had to buy windows 3 to get it started.



Enjoy the kit.



Best regards



Mike Testro.

Hi



I would look on the Asta website, there is normally some comparison paper on there.



PowerProject has the ability to have multiple activities on 1 line, some thing P3 never has.



I was a P3 user for 8 plus years, then switched clients and now using PowerProject on a portfolio projects (around 150) in various stages from feasibility to construction.



Personally I would not go back to P3 ans see no reason to implement P6 when Project can do the job just as well