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PRIMAVERA PROJECT PLANNER (P3.1) USER REVIEW: TUTOR-SALIBA

Over the course of her five years using Primavera Project Planner (P3), Michelle Luce continues to discover new ways to use the construction scheduling software to increase her efficiency, and therefore, the hospitality and casino construction firm's bottom line.

"The flexibility in formatting allows me to create layouts that translate a schedule's status to each individual's visual preferences," she said. "This reduces the time spent on translating into different formats."

The additional features Luce wanted to see were, for the most part, incorporated into the latest version of Primavera, P6, when it was unveiled in July 2007, she said. These include the addition of an 'undo' button, improved tracking between projects and more tools for tracking documentation and other issues that occur.

"The next version is out and I suspect we will upgrade after the project I'm currently working on is complete," Luce noted.

Luce rated Primavera P3 version 3.1 an 8 out of 10.

What kinds of construction projects do you mostly work on?
 
How long have you been using this tool?
 
Where did you obtain it?
 
How much did you pay?
 
How are you using this product?
 
Why did you pick this product?
 
Did you look at other tools on the market before picking this one? What was it you didn't like about them (or made    this product better)?
 
Comparing the way you work now with the way you worked before you bought this tool, what has changed?
 
Can you give us an example of a job where this tool really made a difference?
 
Can you estimate how much time or money you saved or other measurable benefits your firm realized using this    tool?
 
What are the best features (for your business) in this tool?
 
Do you think it's a fair value for the price you paid?
 
What would you change about the product if you could?
 
Are there features that you don't use? Why not?
 
Who would you recommend use this tool?
 
How much computer experience do you think someone needs to use this tool effectively?
 
Did it take much training (or studying) to learn to use this tool?
 
Have you ever called the company's support lines and asked for help? What was your experience like?
 
How would you rate the user documentation? Is it helpful?
 
When the next version of this software comes out, will you upgrade to it?
 
Overall, on a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate this tool?

What kinds of construction projects do you mostly work on?
Tutor-Saliba does large commercial contracts, mostly hospitality and casinos.

How long have you been using this tool?
I have been using Primavera Project Planner (P3) for five years.

Where did you obtain it?
This construction scheduling software was provided by my employer.

How much did you pay?
I do not know.

How are you using this product?
I am using this product to create and update design, pre-construction and construction schedules.

Why did you pick this product?
I do not know. It had already been selected when I came to work here.

Did you look at other tools on the market before picking this one? What was it you didn't like about them (or made this product better)?
I do not know, because it was here when I was hired.

Comparing the way you work now with the way you worked before you bought this tool, what has changed?
I have always used Primavera Project Manager (P3) and I continue to learn new ways to use it.

Can you give us an example of a job where this tool really made a difference?
Because this construction scheduling software tool is logic-based and is not as easy to mess up as similar tools, its accuracy makes a difference on every job.

Can you estimate how much time or money you have saved or other measurable benefits your firm has realized using this tool?
The monetary savings are, I believe, primarily the result of increased efficiency. Instead of spending a lot of time translating into different formats, the flexibility of Primavera P3's formatting allows me to create layouts that translate a schedule's status to each individual's visual preferences.

What are the best features (for your business) in this tool?
Again, the formatting and the maintenance of integrity in logic during updating are key.

Do you think it's a fair value for the price you paid?
I think the initial cost of this tool is fair, but the cost of additional user licenses is far too expensive.

What would you change about the product if you could?
Many things that I would have changed have already been addressed in later versions, such as Primavera P6. These include the addition of an 'undo' button, easier tracking between projects, and more tools for tracking related documentation and issues.

Are there features that you don't use? Why not?
Currently, we are not using any of Primavera P3's cost resource management tools. I am not sure why; this approach was established before my arrival at Tutor-Saliba.

Who would you recommend use this tool?                
I would recommend it to anyone with scheduling needs.

How much computer experience do you think someone needs to use this tool effectively?
As with most software, some specific training should be provided. Once you learn the basics you never stop finding new ways to use it.

Did it take much training (or studying) to learn to use this tool?
There was a moderate amount of training involved to learn this construction scheduling software.

Have you ever called the company's support lines and asked for help? What was your experience like?
I have called Primavera's support lines for help and I've always had positive experiences.

How would you rate the user documentation? Is it helpful?
I don't use it very frequently.

When the next version of this software comes out, will you upgrade to it?
The next version (Primavera P6) is out, and I suspect we will upgrade after the project I am currently working on is complete.

Overall, on a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate this tool?
8.