Replies

1. 
   Jim_Allen | Sep 06, 2008 09:16pm | #1

   http://www.vertex42.com/ExcelTemplates/excel-gantt-chart.html

   I found one that might work but I'm missing some add-ins on the excell program. I gotta find one for OpenOffice instead.

2. 
   FastEddie | Sep 06, 2008 09:52pm | #2

   I have used Microsoft Project (nice program) and a knockoff ... Turbo Project.  it works, buts much less ability to customize.   If you can afford it, MS Project is a great program, probably more than you will need.  I think the next step up from there is Primavera.

   "Put your creed in your deed."   Emerson

   "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

1. 
   Jim_Allen | Sep 06, 2008 09:55pm | #3

   I can afford it. The problem I have with buying software is that it's usually too complicated for me, the carpenter and ends up getting dusty. I did see a review claiming that the Project stuff was good but hard to use.I finally got a simple program opened in Open Office and I'm starting to learn it. I really think it will be everything we need for the small projects we are running. My next management hire is someone to take over the office LOL! I'm the wrong guy for this stuff.

1. 
   FastEddie | Sep 06, 2008 10:00pm | #4

   MS Project is actually very easy to use, for the basic stuff.  it's like a good cad program ... anyone can draw lines, it's when you try to get fancy that it takes more work.   If you want to try Turbo Project let me know.  I know a good office manager looking to relocate to Austin."Put your creed in your deed."   Emerson

   "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

1. 
   Jim_Allen | Sep 06, 2008 10:07pm | #6

   I'm not in a position to hire that office manager, yet. I will be though asap! What do I have to do to try turbo project?

1. 
   FastEddie | Sep 07, 2008 01:25am | #9

   Send me your address."Put your creed in your deed."   Emerson

   "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

2. 
   john7g | Sep 06, 2008 10:29pm | #7

   I've heard that MS Project needs a dedicated individual to keep the program up to date.  Is that true?

1. 
   FastEddie | Sep 07, 2008 01:26am | #10

   Depends on what you mean by keeping it up to date.  the software is just like any other, it's good until the next version comes out.  But if you me keeping the data on the project up to drate, yeah, somebody has to enter updates as they occur."Put your creed in your deed."   Emerson

   "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

2. 
   skid1 | Sep 07, 2008 01:28am | #11

   I have primavera suretrack and it is very complicated, what masters at it can do simply amazes me, but I am not a master.

3. 
   doodabug | Sep 06, 2008 10:02pm | #5

   I have used Primavera and it didn't seem to be complicated to me.

4. 
   jonblakemore | Sep 06, 2008 10:31pm | #8

   Try OpenWorkbench

    

   Jon Blakemore

   RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA

5. 
   EricPaulson | Sep 07, 2008 01:58am | #12

   I'm curious what type of projects you are doing that require a Gantt chart.

   Do you mind filling us in?

   [email protected]

    

    

    

    

1. 
   Jim_Allen | Sep 07, 2008 03:19am | #14

   I'm doing a commercial tenant finish out.

2. 
   Jim_Allen | Sep 07, 2008 03:20am | #15

   Among other things.

1. 
   EricPaulson | Sep 07, 2008 03:55am | #16

   I'm running 3or 4, one or two man crews doing mostly kitchens and baths. Remodels and updates. Throw in an adittion or a deck, or a window job here and there. 2-3 million annual gross.

   I like a calendar. I think I just don't get pert and gantt. I maybe need to study up on the purpose more or have someone teach me.

   I use a page a day calendar in a three ring binder that holds copies of project contracts and 8.5x11 pages of views from the plans.

   It works for me quite well.

   There are issues internally with communications, but that is a whole other thing.

   I have been looking at this.

   http://www.thecalendarplanner.com/[email protected]

    

    

    

    

1. 
   Jim_Allen | Sep 07, 2008 04:20am | #17

   We certainly could use a calendar. We need to send it around to a few people.

1. 
   EricPaulson | Sep 07, 2008 04:30am | #18

   The link I sent you , you can web base it for a fee I believe.[email protected]

    

    

    

    

2. 
   BarryE | Sep 07, 2008 04:38am | #19

   I used to use MS Project. We now use Virtual Boss, it's geared to the construction industry. fairly small learning curveYou can switch it from gantt to calendar depending on your need. I have found that most clients prefer gantt nowadays.The advantage of the gantt compared to the calendar is being able to link tasks. Much easier to update a gantt chart compared to calendars

   Barry E-Remodeler

    

3. 
   FastEddie | Sep 08, 2008 03:12pm | #24

   I may have spoken too soon.  I saw the box on the shelf, so I offered the program.  Opened the box ... empty.  And I can't find the cd in the usual places.  I'll keep looking."Put your creed in your deed."   Emerson

   "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

4. 
   Jim_Allen | Sep 08, 2008 08:48pm | #25

   Ed, don't fret. I appreciate your generosity. My project manager downloaded a program and is working through it. He said he'll be done today. I don't know which one though. When I know, I'll post an update.

5. 
   EricPaulson | Sep 09, 2008 12:17am | #26

   Please do Jim; I curious.

   And I am curious how your PM is handling scheduling currently.

   Care to share?[email protected]

    

    

    

    

6. 
   Jim_Allen | Sep 09, 2008 12:47am | #27

   Poorly. It works though because we are so small at this time.

7. 
   EricPaulson | Sep 09, 2008 02:24am | #28

   I was looking more for the mechanics as opposed to the quality!

   I'm curious (again) as to what made you decide that you need to use a Gantt or Pert?

   I'm just trying to keep my mind open and learn a few things if you don't mind humoring me.

   Maybe you need a whippersnapper from the northeast, eh?[email protected]

    

    

    

    

8. 
   Jim_Allen | Sep 09, 2008 03:01am | #29

   I've long wanted some form of calender from my project manager, even if it's me operating as the PM. Its an important element of organization which I'm horrible at. For instance, I have an addition going on, a major remodel starting tomorrow or Wed, and commercial space in plan/permitting. My salesgal needs to know when we can schedule a new client but I don't have a clue! I didn't set this business up to be a one man show so it only makes sense that I start to think bigger in every regard. Do I need a whippersnapper from the NE? I've got someone from VA (sales) and someone from IN (PM)....I'm always looking LOL.

9. 
   EricPaulson | Sep 09, 2008 03:17am | #30

   Inside of 2 years or so as PM, I've got the boss pretty much believing that he can't do with out me.

   Every time I take my hand of the wheel to scratch my nuts, we go down in flames.

   I'm not sure that a program will help your guy give you what you are looking for. With that work load I would be back in the office by noon looking for somethin g to do.[email protected]

    

    

    

    

10. 
    Jim_Allen | Sep 09, 2008 03:41am | #31

    Congrats....your two years of experience have done you well. My PM also is a lead carpenter at this point so he doesn't have much time to get back to any office.

11. 
    EricPaulson | Sep 09, 2008 03:52am | #32

    I am often and currently pressed back into the field. Depending on the situation I mostly dislike it because it is distracting from my responsibilities and just breaks the Mojo.

    And the owner will srew things up really well which he has done once again true to form this time.

    I'd rather go on an abbreviated schedule to some degree.

    Pick up and clean off, or call back work I don't mind so much. i can do the tasks and still keep my hand on the pulse.

    Working 5/8's which it never is, just screws up everything for everyone involve from the client right down to the office administrator.[email protected]

     

     

     

     

2. 
   FastEddie | Sep 07, 2008 04:39am | #20

   I think I just don't get pert and gantt.

   You might be surprised.  When you build a gant chart, you list all the events that you can think of, and add details to each event like lead time for ordering material and predecessor relationships, like the shower pan takes 2 weeks to order and it has to go in before the ceramic tile.  The beauty is, when you change one date, like a delay in receiving material, all the other dates automatically change, so you can see what happens to the finish date.  Also, you can change the project so you work 6 days a week rather than 5, and see how that affects the schedule.  And you can show the HO that they have to make a selection of carpet color by a week from next Tuesday, or else the project will be delayed."Put your creed in your deed."   Emerson

   "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

1. 
   EricPaulson | Sep 07, 2008 05:25am | #21

   Thanks Eddie for your response. I understand those attributes as you described them.

   Our typical bath or kitchen remodel will generally have a fairly limited number of events occuring and it just (to me anyway) seems like a gantt or pert is way over the top for what I need to manage.

   We rarely work to a hard deadline and most of or projects involve the same events for each project with minor variations.

   To me, I can easily handle all of this on a calendar.

   Perhaps I understand the use of gantt better than I thought. It just looks way cmplicated for my needs. I'm trying to keep things simple as much as I can.

   Thanks[email protected]

    

    

    

    

2. 
   Mlandry | Sep 07, 2008 02:06pm | #22

   I use Virtual Boss also. It suits my companys needs quite well.

6. 
   IdahoDon | Sep 07, 2008 02:43am | #13

   I worked (after the fact) for the guy who handled the overall project managment documentation for the winter olympics in Utah.  He had a sizeable room with hundreds of feet of  gantt charts stacked 6' tall on the walls and something like 6 people working full time to keep them up to date.  Sounded interesting!  :-)

    

   Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.

7. 
   bd | Sep 07, 2008 02:22pm | #23

   Jim,

   FastTrack is a lot more intuitive than MS Project. It's gotten more complicated in the last few years competing w/ Project. For making Gantt charts, FastTrack is much better & a lot easier to use.

   http://www.aecsoftware.com/products/fasttrack/

8. 
   NajoMTZ | Sep 22, 2023 09:00am | #33

   Hi there!
   You can use Excel or Google Sheets, Project management software, Online Gantt chart tools, and Desktop Gantt Chart Software to create a Gantt chart differently.
   Check this blog. It can help you: https://consultleopard.com/how-to-display-4-baselines-on-the-gantt-chart-in-primavera-p6/

9. 
   freyr_design | Sep 25, 2023 11:16pm | #34

   You should use notion. https://www.notion.so/