Since it looks like, acts like and integrates with the other members of the Microsoft Office suite, Microsoft Office Project 2007 could be described as one of the easiest project management tools to learn. However, the software was not specifically designed for contractors or other construction professionals, something that savvy industry software buyers must consider when determining the most appropriate fit for their company.

Feature set

Microsoft Project can be operated as a standalone program or as part of an organization's Office Project Server 2007, which delivers enterprise-level project management capabilities. Microsoft Office Project Professional 2007 includes a Client Access License (CAL), which enables connection to Office Project Server 2007. The CAL also allows users to tap Microsoft Office Project Web Access, the thin developer's Web client.
 
Microsoft Office Project Standard 2007 is designed to handle project work, schedules and finances, coupled with reporting and guided planning. Users can convert data from existing Microsoft-based applications, such as Excel or Word, into their Project applications. Using this data, Project can create charts and graphs and output data to multiple file formats for reports or presentations, according to our overview of Microsoft Project features.

However, Microsoft Office Project Standard was designed for users who do not need Web-based coordination or collaboration using shared projects and data from central databases and, thus, can only be used as a standalone application, the vendor noted in a Microsoft Office Project 2007 edition comparison.

On the other hand, Microsoft Office Project Professional 2007 includes what Microsoft calls "collaborative enterprise project management capabilities" when used with Microsoft Office Project Server 2007.

Microsoft Office Project Professional lets users share information and documents via a central data repository. Managers can control project work, schedules, finances and teams. Office Project Professional also uses Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0; tracks issues, risks, and documents; automatically creates a project workspace, and uses Microsoft SQL Server, according to the Microsoft product comparison.

When connected to Microsoft Office Project Server 2007, multiple users may access Microsoft's applications, which simplify data exchange, communication and information integrity.  Project Server -- along with Microsoft Office Project Portfolio Server 2007, Microsoft SQL Server and Microsoft Windows Server -- is a component of Microsoft's Office Enterprise Project Management (EPM) system, which users access via Microsoft Office Project Professional 2007, via other Office systems or via Microsoft Office Project Web Access and Microsoft Office Project Portfolio Web Access, according to a Microsoft Project product guide. 

With both Standard and Professional editions, setup is eased with a customizable tool that walks users through project creation, including assigning of tasks and resources, tracking and analyzing data, and reporting results. Following setup, Microsoft provides online training.

In addition, Microsoft has downloadable Microsoft Office Project 2007 training presentations, podcasts and webinars and a training site help area. Many third-party providers also offer Project and general Office training, and there are CDs and online sites for user education. Finally, there is a giant community of Project users around the globe, with members meeting in person or discussing the pros and cons of the software via various online forums. Recent topics on the Microsoft Project User Group site, for example, included a guide to Project certification testing, creating custom reports in Project, ask the expert and a listing of upcoming meetings.

User snapshot

Smaller firms may prefer Microsoft Project because it is quick to learn and use and relatively inexpensive when compared with construction-specific project management applications. Larger firms, too, use Project, often to complement construction-industry software. These enterprises typically tap Project to create schedules and presentations. Other contractors use Project because it is their clients' primary project management tool, ensuring data integrity and customer satisfaction, according to our overview.

Indeed, a number of firms use Project and an industry-specific tool in order to match clients' standardized applications.  While some -- like Jim Berg of CH2MHILL, a $5 billion construction management firm -- prefer using construction-specific project management software, companies without extensive construction experience may want to use Project because of its ease of use and small learning curve, he said. On the other hand, construction professionals adept at using industry tools may have concerns about implementing Microsoft Project, since it does not have the array of features and toolsets often designed into construction-specific software.

Microsoft company information

• Phone toll-free: 800-642-7676
• Phone toll: 425-882-8080
• Address: 1 Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399
• Products: Microsoft Project, among many others
• Company size: $60.42 billion, according to the company’s Fast Facts About Microsoft
• Number of employees: 91,000, according to Fast facts About Microsoft
• Founded: 1975

Microsoft Office Project 2007 product information

• Type of application: Client-based
• Windows requirements:  Windows
• Browser requirements: Internet Explorer 6 or higher
• Memory requirements: 512 megabyte (MB) of RAM or higher
• System requirements:  Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack (SP) 2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, or later operating system
• Integration: Microsoft Office suite
• Mobile device support: Windows mobile devices
• Customer size: Small, midsize, enterprises
• Customer type: Small, midsize and enterprise
• Minimum number of users: 1
• Maximum number of users: Unlimited
• Suggested retail price: Office Project Standard 2007 $599.95 ($349.95 upgrade), Office Project Professional 2007 $995.95 ($599.95 upgrade), according to 2007 Microsoft Project price and upgrade information
• Free software trial: 60-day Microsoft Project 2007 free download, available in English or Spanish

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