NEW RELEASE: PROTRACK 2.0
ProTrack V2.0 Beta - New features
We are proud that our second major release ProTrack 2.0 is finally available for purchase. Next to increased efficiency, solved bugs reported by our clients and enhanced features, this version will also be freely available to students Project Management at Ghent University (Belgium).Some of the new features in ProTrack 2.0 are given along the following lines:
- More accurate EVM calculations: The cost of resources is now part of the Planned Value and all EVM calculations, and automatically updates all performance indicator values (SPI, SPI(t), CPI) and forecast metrics (EAC and EAC(t)) by a simple click.
- Resource scheduler: leveling of renewable resources under a variable resource availability such that the project duration reflects a more realistic estimate is now possible in ProTrack 2.0.
- Simulation engine: The time simulation engine of ProTrack 1.0 is now extended to both time and cost simulations, and predictions on the final cost and duration will be possible using various forecasting techniques.
- Schedule Risk Analysis: The time sensitivity measures have now been extended to cost sensitivity measures (using three versions of the cruciality index).
- Project Scheduling Game: ProTrack will incorporate a project scheduling game in order to simulate time/cost trade-offs in our software tool. This game has been published in 2003 in the Project Management Journal.
In order to better respond on issues or concerns raised by our customers, have have dramatically improved our error reporting:
- In order to continuously improve the user satisfaction, a new error handling system allows you to automatically report any issue to the OR-AS IT team. Any user who is online can automatically send any minor or major issue to OR-AS without any additional click.
- A new Report Problem function allows the user to be in contact with the OR-AS team. A simple click allows you to report a problem/concern/question which will be added in our helpdesk system queue. An answer will be given upon availability via the support page of the user.
RESEARCH NEWS
MEASURING TIME - OUT NOW!
Measuring Time - Improving Project Performance Using Earned Value Management
- About this book: Meant to complement rather than compete with the existing books on the subject, this book deals with the project performance and control phases of the project life cycle to present a detailed investigation of the project's time performance measurement methods and risk analysis techniques in order to evaluate existing and newly developed methods in terms of their abilities to improve the corrective actions decision-making process during project tracking. As readers apply what is learned from the book, EVM practices will become even more effective in project management and cost engineering. Individual chapters look at simulation studies in forecast accuracy; schedule adherence; time sensitivity; activity sensitivity; and using top-down or bottom-up project tracking. The book also offers an actual real-life case study, a short tutorial on the EVM use in ProTrack, and conclusions on the relative effectiveness for each technique presented.
- Written for: Researchers and practitioners in project management; researchers and practitioners in Operations Research, especially in production and manufacturing; graduate and upper-level undergraduate students in these fields.
- Awarded by: Measuring Time is awarded by the Research collaboration fund of the Project Management Institute (PMI) - Belgium chapter (Brussels, 2007) and by the International Project Management Association (IPMA) Research award (Rome, 2008).
- Available: Measuring Time is currently available for purchase as either a hardcover paperback or an ebook download. The Springer price is 89,95 EURO and can be ordered via the OR-AS site, or via Springer or Amazon.
EVM - The Measurable News
Read the latest article in the Measurable News on our new book from the PMI-CPM site.EVA-EUROPE 2009 and 2010
On November 25 and 26, 2009, the first annual Earned Value conference was held in CERN, Geneva, Switserland. The organisation team Prof. P. Bonnal (Switserland), J. De Jonghe (Switserland), K. Henderson (Australia), S. Vandevoorde (Belgium), J. Ferguson (Switserland), N. Montandon (Switserland), Prof. M. Vanhoucke (OR-AS, Belgium) and S. Wake (UK) look back at a successful first event with up to 80 participants.
It has been decided that this event will be held again in Ghent on November 24 and 25, 2010. More news and continuous updates can be found at EVA Europe!
