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PRIMAVERA PROJECT PLANNER (P3) USER REVIEW: UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI

Raymond Miller began building power plants for GE in 1978. At that time, the only computers were at GE headquarters in Schenectady, N.Y., and all data input was done via unreliable dial-up phone terminal interfaces with thermal printers. In the 1980s he began using Primavera construction project management software -- and has been using it ever since.

Over the years he has worked in a variety of industries and has also used MS Project, Harvard Project, Timeline and Open Plan, but he keeps returning to the Primavera software due to its "logical approach to building projects, detailed reporting structures and robust data analysis."

"Using Primavera I managed the construction and commissioning of a 612MW steam turbine generator project for Dayton Power and Light and completed the project three months ahead of schedule and saved DP&L over $100 million. I used (Primavera) P3 to manage multimillion dollar turbine overhauls in five to six weeks when these outages historically took eight or nine weeks. Missing a start-up date on an overhaul can incur $100,000/shift penalties."

The University of Cincinnati paid $3,000 for a licensed copy of P3e/c, and Miller currently uses the program for its simplicity of report writing, as well as its ease of use for building projects. In addition, it has a "robust hierarchical structure, cost, and resource allocation, and integrates with Timberline for ongoing process improvement."

Miller said the best feature is "the ability to rapidly lay out and develop a project schedule without a huge investment in time." This speed paid off on his most recent project as a "late start up would have cost UC approximately $5mil due to added energy and demand charges."

There isn't anything Miller would change about Primavera P3, and, as this version has been adequately serving his construction project management needs for four years, he has no plans to upgrade anytime soon. Overall, he rated the program a 9 out of 10, and concludes that: "Since I have started using Primavera and predecessor applications almost 30 years ago, I have developed projects with more detailed specifications for schedule, deliverables, and resources."

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?
Power plants, industrial facilities RRR and custom rock trenching.

Over 25 years of versions of this application.

University licensed copy.

$3,000.

Utility construction project management.

Extensive experience with it. Simplicity of report writing, ease of use for building projects, robust hierarchical structure, cost and resource allocation integrates with Timberline for ongoing process improvement.

Other vendor applications I have used include MS Project, Timeline, Open Plan and Harvard Project. Open Plan requires operating within a database application like Oracle, Access or SQL to access data for reporting. The other applications are usable but not as flexible as the Primavera applications.

Since I have started using Primavera and predecessor applications almost 30 years ago, I have developed projects with more detailed specifications for schedule, deliverables and resources.

Power plant construction project for the University of Cincinnati (UC). Construction project management software assured a concurrently designed plant to start up on time and on budget -- a rarity in the power industry.

Late start-up would have cost UC approximately $5 million due to added energy and demand charges.

The ability to rapidly lay out and develop a project schedule without a huge investment in time.

Yes, absolutely.

Nothing.

For many of my projects, I use standard report specifications. I don't often tailor them any more.

Anyone managing construction projects of significant scope and dollars should use Primavera P3.

I never had training. I learned the application through use.

No.

How would you rate the user documentation? Is it helpful?
Very detailed and supportive when needed.

Not necessarily. My current version (Primavera P3) has been serving me well for four years.

Overall, on a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate this tool?
9