PRIMAVERA P6, PRIMAVERA PLANNER 3.1, PRIMAVERA CONTRACT MANAGER REVIEW: PARSONS
- Contract Manager: Hill International
- Contract Manager: Parsons
- Contract Manager: Schuff Steel
- P6: Hill International
- P6: Parsons
- P6: PinnellBusch
- P6 and P3.1: CH2MHILL (1 of 2)
- P6: CH2MHILL (2 of 2)
- P6: Traylor Brothers
- P5.1: SNC-Lavalin
- P5: Ntnada
- Pertmaster: Bechtel
- Project Planner (P3.1): Tutor-Saliba
- Project Planner (P3): University of Cincinnati
- Project Planner (P3): Demonstrated Performance
- Project Planner (P3): LCO Associates
- Project Planner (P3): Suncor Energy
- Suretrak: University of Cincinnati
- Suretrak: University of Louisiana at Monroe
- Suretrak: MBTA
FEATURED VENDORS
REVIEW SUMMARY |
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Ahmed Chilmeran, a project manager multi-billion dollar construction firm Parsons Corp. gave Primavera's construction project management software suite a perfect 10 due to the programs' ability to integrate with both standard office applications and report-writing software.
"We support senior management in their decision-making process by giving them the information that helps them make better decisions. It saves a lot of money by helping them make the right decision the first time," Chilmeran said. "These tools help in two ways. One, with the automation and integration process, we save a lot of time. Two, we need a much smaller staff to support the work. The quality control improves a lot too, because you have a process and it's done the same way every time, which reduces human error."
Yet Primavera retains a human touch, due to the diligence of its technical support staff and the vendor's willingness to respond to future product feature requests and suggestions posted on its online user forums, he said.
"Most of these products have technical support venues for customer feedback on functionality issues. Therefore, I find the software's functionality is improved with each new released version."
As stated, Chilmeran rated Primavera's construction project management software a 10 out of 10.
USER PROFILE |
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| User: | Ahmed Chilmeran |
| Company: | Parsons |
| Location: | Pasadena, CA |
| Website: | http://www.parsons.com |
| Type of business: | Engineering and construction firm |
| Business size: | $2 billion-plus per year |
| Experience: | More than 4 years |
| Software tools used: | Primavera 6, Primavera Planner 3.1, Primavera Contract Manager |
| Tool & Version | Primavera 6, Primavera Planner 3.1, Primavera Contract Manager |
REVIEW DETAILS |
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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?
Parsons provides technical and management solutions to federal, regional and local government agencies as well as private industries worldwide. Parsons is a leader in many diverse markets such as infrastructure, transportation, water, telecommunications, aviation, commercial, environmental, planning, industrial manufacturing, education, healthcare, life sciences and homeland security.
How long have you been using this tool?
I have been using Primavera Planner for more than 11 years and Primavera Contract Manager for one and a half years. I have been using the Microsoft suite of products for 14 years. I used [Meridian] Prolog for two and a half years, and have used Crystal Reports for three years.
Where did you obtain it?
I am not sure. My employer either purchased it directly from the manufacturer or from an authorized Primavera dealer.
How much did you pay?
Primavera standalone licenses cost $4,000 each. However, concurrent licenses cost about $1,500 each. Crystal Reports Professional version costs around $800.
How are you using this product?
I use all this construction project management software in an integrated manner to assist in the planning, control and reporting of projects and programs.
Why did you pick this product?
All these products are industry standards, and I was already trained in their usage.
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 did not look for other construction project management software tools, as since I was already trained in the operation of the aforementioned products. Furthermore, I have had years of experience with these applications, which therefore allows me to perform my tasks more efficiently and expeditiously.
Comparing the way you work now with the way you worked before you bought this tool…what has changed?
A lot has changed. I can perform a substantial amount of work in a very short period because of the applications' automation and standardization.
Can you give us an example of a job where this tool really made a difference?
The Central Phoenix/East Valley Light Rail Transit System was a $1.3 billion program, and I integrated all the tools into one solution that helped us manage the project. For the Sprinter Commuter Rail System in San Diego, I created a similar situation, where we used the same construction project management software in an integrated system.
We support senior management in its decision making by giving it the information that helps them make better decisions. It saves a lot of money by helping it make the right decision the first time. These tools help in two ways. With the automation and integration process, we save a lot of time. We need a much smaller staff to support the work. The quality control improves a lot too, because you have a process and it's done the same way every time, which reduces human error.
Can you estimate how much time or money you saved or other measurable benefits your firm realized using this tool?
I am doing the work with the help of one or two people on staff. Any other way, I would have needed three to four times the staff I have. I can only estimate the direct savings resulting from cutting the need for additional staff to perform the work. The full benefits and savings resulting from using referenced tools extend way beyond direct savings since these tools support management's decision-making processes and result in better, more informed decisions and hence, large savings.
What are the best features (for your business) in this tool?
I can't really be specific here because this mostly depends on the type of project being planned and executed, whether it is a design project or a construction project, for example. Furthermore, the level of control needed to mitigate risks is a factor in determining which features are best or most appropriate.
Do you think it's a fair value for the price you paid?
Yes.
What would you change about the product if you could?
Most of this construction project management software technical support venues for customer feedback on functionality issues. Therefore, I find the software's functionality is improved with each new released version.
Are there features that you don't use? Why not?
This is dependent upon the type of project being controlled. These applications are quite vast in their capability and are designed with a multitude of feature that no single project is expected to fully utilize.
Who would you recommend use this tool?
All project management professionals in all industries.
How much computer experience do you think someone needs to use this tool effectively?
For the Primavera products I reckon three to five years. For the other products, I'd say a minimum of two years.
Did it take much training (or studying) to learn to use this tool?
Yes, there was some formal training. However the most important aspect of effectively learning these construction project management software tools is practice or experience. I recommend that people obtain official training, then begin practicing by using it on their projects.
Have you ever called the company's support lines and asked for help? What was your experience like?
Yes, quite frequently. My experience with these support lines is, for the most part, positive, since the technical support folks have provided me with workable solutions.
How would you rate the user documentation? Is it helpful?
To a certain extent it is. However, it may not address specific problems that may be encountered when utilizing the software. Hence the technical support line is a more effective venue.
When the next version of this software comes out, will you upgrade to it?
Yes. However, at my company upgrades are handled by our IT team.
Overall, on a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate this tool?
10