Inter-project Dependencies and Gantt Graphics for Program Coordination
Program Management is inherently difficult because projects are interdependent. As we have dispersed project
teams and moved into a world of increasing partnership between organizations, the need for coordinated
behavior has become more acute while at the same time more difficult to achieve.
Project Observatory is uniquely suited to help you deal with these
realities in three ways:
1). Project Observatory allows projects
from every location to be brought together in one place (no matter what project management methods or tools
are actually being used at the work site) .
2). Project Observatory gives you the tools to define acceptable
performance ( both
for projects as individual entities and also for the schedule relationships between
projects).
3). Using Dependencies:
Inter-Project Dependencies Make Coordination Easier
This latter feature we call "Inter-Project Dependencies" For those readers familiar with Project Gateway
you will see that this is simply an extension of well proven technology.
An Inter-Project dependency is really a "business rule" that you specify in the Observatory. These rules
specify simple relationships between projects based upon milestones. For example, one rule might state
that "Phase 2 Complete" in Project J21 must occur before "Initiate Deployment" in Project QR12.
The Observatory monitors compliance with each of these rules (there is no real limit
on the number of rules). If a rule is violated, perhaps as a result of a plan change in one or the other
of the projects, then you will be receive an email reporting the problem. If the projects remain in an
acceptable relationship with one another, you will not be notified.
You can see the status of these rules at any time by displaying the
Inter-Projects Dependency view on
the Observations Navigator. Most of the time, you simply set the rules and let the system do the monitoring.
Observatory Gantt Charts Facilitate Understanding
The Observatory can automatically prepare high quality Gantt Charts for any Program or Organization showing
the status of the contributing projects. These charts are initiated by composing a form, called a Graphic
Definition form. Once the form is completed, the system will create and update the required chart every night.
You may see an updated chart by clicking on the chart title in one of the Observations views.
These charts are prepared in Adobe Acrobat format. This means that they can be viewed and printed from
any workstation and are small enough to download quickly over the web.
For more information
Read about Inter-Project Dependencies in the System Guide
Adobe Acrobat Format
Html Format
For more information
Read about Gantt Charts in the System Guide
Adobe Acrobat Format
Html Format
