1.

Bob Jones owns his own business, Jones Construction. He has a team of twelve employees. He manages all his construction projects using Microsoft Project Standard 2003. He is the only one who accesses his project files, and he finds the reporting feature comes in handy when he needs to go to the accountant.

Do you think Bob is using the right version of Microsoft Project? Why or why not?

What advantages or disadvantages would be involved in switching to Microsoft Project Professional 2003?

If Bob did switch to Microsoft Project Professional 2003, should he also use Microsoft Project Server 2003?

2.

Sue Bates is thinking about opening her own fashion design company. She is looking at software solutions to help her out, although she would be the only employee for now. She’s debating between the Standard and Professional versions of Microsoft Project 2003, and thinking about investing in Project Server 2003. She has consulted you for help in making the decision.

What other reasons would you give Sue for investing in either version?

What would be your final recommendation?

3.

Jane Smith is one of six project managers for Worldwide Communications. She currently uses Microsoft Project Standard 2003. Her colleagues, who are located around the world, use a variety of tools: two use Microsoft Access, another uses a Macintosh database, and yet another uses a paper system. Between the six of them, they manage over a billion dollars worth of projects a year.

She has hired you to survey the system and make it better; she’s convinced that Microsoft Project Standard 2003 is the way to go for the company.

Do you think Jane is right or wrong in his assessment?

What would be your recommendation for Jane’s company? Why?

4.

The CEO and the network administrator of the Acme Widgets company are having a battle over their current Microsoft Project set-up. The CEO is happy with using the standard edition; he finds it meets his needs and he’s used to the software. The network administrator thinks projects would better be executed if he could manage the system globally using Microsoft Project Server 2003. As well, he knows that the company is growing very quickly and soon, the CEO won’t be managing any projects. He thinks consistency among new employees would be better if they used Microsoft Project Professional 2003.

What other information would you ask for before making a recommendation?

What would be your final recommendation?

5.

You’ve been brought in to solve a domestic dispute! Fifty-two year old Tom Pipes runs a plumbing business that has been in the family for decades. He often gets last-minute calls, so he uses a small appointment book to track where he needs to be and when. He does have major projects to complete (like the plumbing for the new school), but since his staff is small, he finds it easy to get everything done on time, even if everyone has to pitch in a few extra hours. His wife, Martha, is convinced that he needs to join the 21^st century and invest in some computer software. Her boss, a project manager for a bank, swears by Microsoft Project 2003. She thinks Tom needs a better way of managing his time and resources, and that this would be a good tool. Tom doesn’t even have a computer in office, or in his home, and is reluctant to make the investment.

What valid points does Martha have for using Microsoft Project?

What valid points does Tom have for not wanting to use software?

What solution would you suggest?

6.

April Showers is a CEO’s assistant. She’s in charge of lots of major projects, like writing the annual report, planning the company Christmas party, and co-ordinating project development. She’s great at her job, but she finds it hard to get all of her tasks completed on time. As the CEO, you have offered her two options: she can use Project Standard on her own, to manage products, or she can hook up with the company and use Project Professional. However, she wants some more information before she decides which course to take.

What advantages would each version have for April?

If you were April, what would you choose?

7.

Think of your own environment (such as your home, school, or business) and think of a few areas where Project would come in handy.

Next, make a list of pros and cons for using or not using either edition of Microsoft Project 2003.

Here’s an example: The local food bank runs a fair every year. It’s been getting bigger and better, but that means more things to co-ordinate and it takes more people to run it. Microsoft Project 2003 would be a big help!

What would be your final recommendation to your own company?