Paper or Plastic?
Microsoft Project versus Oracle Primavera P6
Abstract: Selecting the appropriate scheduling software to be used for a project is one of the key decisions that must be made prior to the start of the project. The choice of scheduling software is often dictated by contract documents or by the contractor’s company standards and guidelines. Regardless of the selection process, the scheduler is going to be ‘stuck’ with this decision for a long time and he/she needs to realize how this decision affects the development and management of the project schedule.
It is important to understand the features, benefits, and limitations of using the selected scheduling software. In this paper, the authors examine two of the leading scheduling software tools that they regularly use on real construction projects: Microsoft Project Standard and Oracle Primavera P6 Professional. The authors explain the details on how these software packages may best be utilized for scheduling construction projects and programs.
Speakers: Hannah Schumacher, PSP, PMI-SP, LEED AP, CM-Lean
Scheduling Manager, Building Group
Sundt Construction, Inc.
Charlie Jackson, PSP
Sr. Consultant
Project Life Span, LLC
Hannah Schumacher, PSP, PMI-SP, LEED AP, CM-Lean
Hannah Schumacher has over 30 years of construction industry experience. She has provided planning and scheduling services for projects in the commercial, residential/custom homes, multi-family/student housing, retail, hospital, medical, hospitality, education, casino, correctional, infrastructure, public works and industrial sectors. Her expertise also includes project controls as well as delay and claims analysis.
Hannah has extensive experience in training and implementing best practices in CPM scheduling and related software for clients including owners, contractors, and subcontractors. Currently she is serving as the Scheduling Manager for Sundt Construction.
She is active in professional associations and frequent presenter at association meetings and universities. She served as the PSP Certification Chair for AACE International Certification Board, Co-Chair for AACE Planning & Scheduling Committee, Officer for AACE Women in Project Controls Committee, and Director at Large for AACE Arizona Section. Published author of several articles on scheduling best practices and leadership team member / topic writer for PMI’s “CPM Scheduling for Construction – Best Practices and Guidelines” publication.
Hannah received her BS degrees in Building Construction Technology and Construction Management from Wentworth Institute of Technology, Boston, MA. She is a Fellow of both AACE International and the Project Management College of Scheduling. Her certifications include PSP, PMI-SP, CM-Lean, and LEED-AP
Charlie Jackson, PSP
Charlie Jackson has more than 20 years of experience in the engineering, construction, and project analytics disciplines. He graduated Baylor University in the mid 80’s with a degree in Journalism and minor in Russian linguistics.
Mr. Jackson has worked in the project controls area for the project owner and the contractor. In support of the project owner, he has developed schedule specifications and guidelines to encourage the creation and use of a viable project schedule based on construction industry best practices. He has also assisted multiple project clients in their understanding of the contractor’s plan through the development process and throughout project scope execution. In support of the project contractor Mr. Jackson has developed and managed schedules.
He has supported the project owner in the development of schedule standards and contract specifications as they pertain to the project schedule utilizing Primavera P6 as well as Microsoft Project. He has also served as the client’s representative in reviewing the contractor’s initial as-planned schedule along with monthly reviews of contractor actual progress and plan to complete and reviewing contractor claims of schedule impact.
He has also served onsite as a project scheduler during the project planning and construction phases. He has supported the contractor’s project team utilizing weekly/monthly schedule updates for short-interval planning (including material procurement and change management, risk mitigation) as well as long-term project planning. His experience in enterprise schedule management, has assisted in maintaining project controls excellence to achieve the needs and overall goals of both owner and contractor. His expertise in enterprise management tools continues to support the ongoing requirements of the ever-evolving project management industry. He is currently working at DPR Construction.
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