Oracle Primavera EPPM 8.0 (also known as P6 Release 8.0, P6R8) introduces the Enterprise Project Structure (EPS) view.  The view allows users to see the entire EPS and projects that are part of each Enterprise Node.   The view shows rolled- up dates, and dollars.  Users benefit from this view as they only see the EPS node(s) that they have been granted.  Views are fully customizable in which grouping can be done by Project Code, Dates, Duration and Percent complete.

Key Features of the EPS include the following:

• Customizable Views
• Export/Import into Oracle Primavera or Microsoft Project
• Dynamic Filters

Customizable Views:  Allows Projects to easily grouped and tracked by wide variety of program metrics.  Views can saved globally, specific project teams or an individual user.  Filters can be used so Executive, Program and Project Managers can focus on their specific benchmarks.



Import/Export from EPS View:  Allows Import/Export of Oracle Primavera and Microsoft Project data.  (Microsoft XML 2007 and 2010 are supported).

Dynamic Filter: Ability for dynamic filter within the EPS View.

Filter

SUB3® Management Inc. is boutique Oracle Primavera Project Portfolio Management (PPM) global consulting firm specializing in enabling corporations achieve greater efficiencies and return on investment for projects with schedule, scope and cost challenges.   SUB3 is an Oracle Gold Partner.

Our Clients are a sample set of those who have Run Projects with SUB3.  If SUB3 can assist your company contact us at info@sub3mgmt.com

Overview

Oracle Primavera EPPM 8.0 (also known as P6 Release 8.0 or P6R8) introduces users to Project Templates.   In previous versions, Oracle Primavera had Methodology Manager and Project Manager.  Now with P6 R8 (P6R8, P6R8.2) Templates can be easily identify and stored within the Project Management database.  This new feature enables the Project Controls/Project Management Office (PMO) having one single global dictionary for project codes, activity codes, roles, administration preferences and security profiles.

Templates Features

• Same Graphical User Interface (GUI)
• Single Application
• One Global Dictionary
• Templates within the EPS Hierarchy
• Re-use existing project data
• Project setting for Templates
• Apply partial Template information
• Template Description
• Project Codes

Same GUI

There is a new Enterprise Project Structure (EPS) view that easily allows the addition of Project Templates.



Single application

The Project Management Module now allows the storage of Templates anywhere within the EPS node for easier Project Initiation.  Users will not have to granted separate permissions to another database to plan a project.   The interface allows corporations to capture best practices and allow projects to be easily stored as project templates.

One Global Dictionary

No more syncing Roles in Methodology Manager and Project Manager.   No more Methodology Codes.  The project templates can now use the attributes of any project such as Project Codes, Roles, Activity Codes and security attributes.

Templates within the EPS Hierarchy

Users can create Templates within their own EPS Node to group, sort and filter on just active or active and proposed projects.   Utilize existing security permissions for the Templates.

Reuse existing Project Data

The Template feature allows users to copy existing project(s) that can be reused for similar projects of size and scope.

Project Settings for Templates

A new project status introduced is called Template.   The status of template automatically does not summarize the data, which makes it easier to when analyzing Dashboards, Portfolios or viewing role assignment.

Template Description

A rich text field enables users to describe the template rationale in detail.

Project Codes

Templates can now have an unlimited of Project Codes assigned to them.  Templates can be grouped and sorted within the new EPS view.

SUB3® Management Inc. is boutique Oracle Primavera Project Portfolio Management (PPM) global consulting firm specializing in enabling corporations achieve greater efficiencies and return on investment for projects with schedule, scope and cost challenges.   SUB3 is an Oracle Gold Partner.

Our Clients are a sample set of those who have Run Projects with SUB3.  If SUB3 can assist your company contact us at info@sub3mgmt.com

Wakeboarding: The sport where an individual is riding behind a boat on a single plane of wood while two feet are tethered typically in binding that are attached to a board.

Dashboarding: Creation of Dashboard that provides users with visibility into data that is simple to understand.

The key to Dashboard best practice is just like snowboarding and wakeboarding.   Let me explain.   For ideal snow conditions you would desire fresh snow, that way you can get out and obtain ‘fresh tracks’ before the rest of the crowds chew up all the good snow.  Wakeboarding conditions should have a body of water that has minimum chop, basically a smooth ride if possible.

The Intersection between Dashboarding, Snowboarding and Wakeboarding is  design.   It is very easy to produce an overly complex solution.  To create a simple, elegant solution, takes time, thought leadership and experience.  Great snowboards and wakeboards are masterful designs.  Just look at the top companies, they ride, thus they integrate simple yet powerful designs.

Dashboards are used to convey information in concise portals.  Dashboards are in a variety of places.  Dashboards gives users visibility into data that can quickly synthesized and understood.  The data points should be simple.

The automobile dashboard includes a metric for petro.   Anyone who drives are automobile knows what ‘F’ and ‘E’ stands for on the gas gauge.  Simple design to articulate if you have enough fuel for your next trip or not.

Baseball, the American pastime key attributes for offensive player is Batting Average (AVG), Home Runs (HR) and Runs Batted In (RBI).  A knowledgeable fan understand a AVG hovering over .300 is pretty good, while HR over 30 is excellent and RBI over 100 would be excellent.   The point being, these three simple metrics are universally understood.

Why cannot a Dashboard for Managers and/or Executives reviewing key Initiatives have the same simple gauges?

According to the Project Management Institute (PMI), the key attributes for a project to monitor is the triple constraint.   The triple constraint is scope, schedule and resources.

Scope:  Who best to monitor scope on a project?  One way to monitor is to track the approved changes (change orders) on the project. For construction project, this could adding additional options for central facility.  For an information technology project, increased scope may be adding more functionality.

Schedule:   One of the best ways to track whether the project will finish on time is using Total Float.   Total Float is number that project has in flexibility or wiggle room before it falls behind.    Generally a positive total float number is good, while a negative number indicates changes need to made for the project to finish on time.

Cost(Resources):  Costs typically will be defined as resources on your project.  Resources can be labor, non-labor, or material.    Assigning resources to your project will enable your organization to find out the budget total cost of the project.  As the project progresses, actual cost can be compared against the original estimate.

In summary, corporations should design simple dashboards that focus on key data points.  The data points will allow the Project Managers and Executives to easily interpret the Dashboard.  The data points should drive discussion between Sr. Management and the Project Managers and collaboratively work on finding ways to a) deliver a project on time b) reign in scope creep and/or c) keep costs with budget tolerances.

SUB3® Management Inc. is boutique Oracle Primavera Project Portfolio Management (PPM) global consulting firm specializing in enabling corporations achieve greater efficiencies and return on investment for projects with schedule, scope and cost challenges.   SUB3 is an Oracle Gold Partner.

Our Clients are a sample set of those who have Run Projects with SUB3.  If SUB3 can assist your company contact us at info@sub3mgmt.com

Overview

Oracle Primavera Contract Manager Business Intelligence Publisher Edition has been released to increase project control and collaboration across the project portfolio lifecycle.  From bids and submittals to controlling the Project with the pre-built integration with Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management (EPPM), enterprises can gain visibility and manage projects more efficiently.

New Features

• Increase flexibility in reporting with Oracle Business Intelligence (BI) publisher while reducing dependency on MS Word
• Incorporates Oracle User Productivity Kit (UPK) to create custom training guides in a cost effective manner
• Utilize Web Services Technology
• Oracle Primavera Contract Manager easily integrates with Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management (EPPM), and Oracle JD Edwards Enterprise One

Document Control with Enterprise Project Portfolio Management

• Oracle Business Intelligence replaces Sybase’s Infomaker making reports consistent across Oracle solutions.
• Reskinned to align with Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management (EPPM)

Reskinned Oracle Primavera Contract Manager Control Center

Oracle Primavera Contract Manager Reskinned Form

Oracle Primavera Contract Manager Cost Worksheet

SUB3® Management Inc. is boutique Oracle Primavera Project Portfolio Management (PPM) global consulting firm specializing in enabling corporations achieve greater efficiencies and return on investment for projects with schedule, scope and cost challenges.   SUB3 is an Oracle Gold Partner.

Our Clients are a sample set of those who have Run Projects with SUB3.  If SUB3 can assist your company contact us at info@sub3mgmt.com

Overview

Oracle Primavera EPPM 8.0 (also known as P6 Release 8.0 or P6R8) introduces users to enhanced Portfolio Analysis.  The most significant feature is removing the limitation from three (3) filtering criteria to up to ten (10) criteria for filtered Portfolio. The ability also exists to automatically have the filtered Portfolios be refreshed.  This means Executives, Project Managers, Resource Managers, and end users will see the correct portfolio each time they log into P6 Web.  The Dashboard and  Portfolio Views will now reflect current data.

Enhanced Portfolio Features

• Filtered Portfolios
• Automatic refresh

Filtered Portfolios

The ability exists in Oracle Primavera P6 v8.0 (P6 R8) to have 10 levels of Project Attributes for a filtered Portfolio.   This enables the Project Control team to have fewer Global Filtered Portfolio because now they can be more precise.  Having only 3 levels to filter by hampered past clients.    The enhancement remains to have ‘is’ and ‘or’ statements in the filter.  Currently the 10 levels enables better Portfolio creation but it ‘all’ or ‘any’ of the 10 criteria.  Hopefully in the next release of Oracle Primavera, we will be able to have even more dynamic filtering capability.  Unfortunately, that power still exists in the client server but the Dashboards hold so much promise. 

The filtered Portfolio is available for a global or a specific user.  The enhancement request to add Portfolios and make then available to Multiple User remains (to keep in line with Portfolio Views).

Oracle Primavera (P6 R8) Filtered Portfolio View

Automatic Refresh

The Portfolio automatically refreshes so users do not have worry about constantly clicking on the refresh icon.   The integrity of projects within the Portfolio is now valid.   Project Controls still should have a reporting period in place for management.   For example, you may desire to have Actual Cost (i.e. Oracle Financials, or SAP) integrated into Oracle Primavera on a monthly basis.  In this case, the Dashboard for Executives and Directors would be viewed during the monthly review meetings.  

SUB3® Management Inc. is boutique Oracle Primavera Project Portfolio Management (PPM) global consulting firm specializing in enabling corporations achieve greater efficiencies and return on investment for projects with schedule, scope and cost challenges.   SUB3 is an Oracle Gold Partner.

Our Clients are a sample set of those who have Run Projects with SUB3.  If SUB3 can assist your company contact us at info@sub3mgmt.com

Bobtoberfest

Bryn Mawr Running Company proudly presents the 5^th Annual Bobtobfest 4 Mile Run.  This race is characterized by the Oktoberfest theme. The 4-mile race will take place at 1 Boathouse Row (Lloyd Hall), Philadelphia.  The out and back course will go along side the bike path and have age group winners.  The traditional after party will be at the Ugly Moose, 443 Shurs Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19128.

This marks the fifth year that SUB3 Management, Inc. (SUB3) has sponsored Bobtoberfest.  SUB3 Director Bill Hyde says it is important to the sponsor local Philadelphia running events that encourage individuals to stay fit and live a healthier lifestyle.   Hyde mentioned, “It is important to give back to the local community.  We are company of runners who work on projects and run to keep fit, we are happy to continue to sponsor this race.”

Saturday, 10/22/2011

Race Start 4PM

Kelly Drive Bike Path @ Lloyd Hall

Registration @ https://www.runtheday.com/app/find/register/488

Proceeds from the race benefit the ALS Hope Foundation in honor of former BMRC club officer Tom Corrigan.  www.alshopefoundation.org/

SUB3® Management Inc. is boutique Oracle Primavera Project Portfolio Management (PPM) global consulting firm specializing in enabling corporations achieve greater efficiencies and return on investment for projects with schedule, scope and cost challenges.

Our Clients are a sample set of those who have Run Projects with SUB3.  If SUB3 can assist your company contact us at info@sub3mgmt.com

SUB3 MANAGEMENT, INC.          www.sub3mgmt.com

Event: Oracle Primavera Utilities Summit

Location: NYC, New York, Oracle Offices

Date: August 04, 2011

Overview

Oracle Primavera Global Business Unit hosted a Utilities Roundtable in NYC on August 4, 2011.   Much thanks needs to go to Ed Wetherbee Applications Sales at Oracle Primavera who has spearheaded these roundtables.   Representative Utility Companies that attended the event included ConEd, Constellation Energy, The United Illuminating Company, and American Electric Power. Highlights and topics are covered below.

Industry Insight

Guy Barlow Oracle Primavera Industry Strategist provided the Utility Industry insight.  The main points of the presentation touch on the following themes below and touched on reoccurring risks themes via 10K Corporate Filings.

• Capital
• Supply/Demand
• Infrastructure
• Regulation
• Skills

Did you know? There is a cool technology for instant polls that was demonstrated. Go to Google and search for Pollseverywhere.

Oracle Primavera P6R8.2

Eileen Schurmann.Oracle Primavera Product Manager presented the future release of Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management,  The main points of her presentation were as follows.

• Unification
• Verification
• Team Member Arrival

Unification

Oracle Primavera included a Usability Team as it has re-designed the Web Module.  The good news is most the Toolbars and Menu Bars offer much needed flexibility and the early view of P6R8.2 has one of the best GUI’s Primavera has released.  Congratulations to the Oracle Primavera global business unit to listening to customer feedback to align both the client server and Web module with a unified look and feel.  New Customers as well as those receiving upgrade training and education will welcome the unification.

Verification

Eileen explained the Business Process Management (BPM) solution and how it can be leveraged in the Oracle Primavera P6R8 solution. She gave example of Project Initiation and Project Charter Approval.  The bottom line was that multiple individuals in the organization can ‘touch’ or verify items in and around the project plan.  (E.g. Approval, Rejection, Issues, Scope Change, etc).

Team Member Arrival  

A New Module has been developed for Oracle Primavera P6R8.2 with the introduction the Team Member Apps. This slick App was released on August 25,2011 via Apple ITunes.  Team Members have an advanced graphical user interface to see their activity assignments, update, and mark complete. Project Managers can accept or reject the status of the Team Members via a Team Member Approval App.   At first glance, this Team Member Approval App seems to taking the place of the current ‘Reflection Project’ feature.

Did you know? Eileen Schurmann is approaching 20 years working with Primavera and under the Oracle Primavera Global Business Unit (OPGU)

Oracle Primavera Analytics

Faith Bevitz Principal Sales at Oracle Primavera Solutions gave an excellent presentation on the value of Oracle Primavera Analytics.  The main points of her presentation were as follows.

• Duct Tape Should Not be Used
• Data Should be Fresh
• Challenges:  How to get Financial Information back into Project?

The main point was to illustrate the power of P6 Analytics and how it can leverage data from multiple data sources within the application.  This powerful tool provides 40 plus reports to get your organization started.  Of course, you can use this reports as a starting point and modify them as needed.

The analogy Faith used was that Duct Tape is used for household projects but eventually a more permanent solution may be needed or provide more value.  Employees still take time to create and distribute reports.  Perhaps companies should look at a more permanent enterprise reporting solution. The P6 Analytics solution offers corporations to free up resources from reporting duties to spent on analyzing the data and correcting project(s) that may be in jeopardy.   Bottom-line, get your resource working on more value add work.

The second analogy was the geared to the movement in farmers markets and eating locally grown food.   You want it fresh, and ideally from the local farm.  Faith exampled how Primavera Analytics data can always be ‘fresh’, you don’t need to print a PDF or Excel workbook that will be ‘stale’ or out of date upon distribution.   The P6R8 Analytics tool provides an opportunity to provide data in a manner that easy to consume for any palette.

Did you know? Faith Bevitz is a longtime Primavera employee who now is part of Oracle Primavera Global Business Unit (OPGU).  Faith has worked on many initiatives including P3 to P6 Upgrades, and countless consultative engagements prior to moving into her current role.

SUB3® Management Inc. is boutique Oracle Primavera Project Portfolio Management (PPM) global consulting firm specializing in enabling corporations achieve greater efficiencies and return on investment for projects with schedule, scope and cost challenges.

Our Clients are a sample set of those who have Run Projects with SUB3.  If SUB3 can assist your company contact us at info@sub3mgmt.com

Number 5, Enhanced Resource Analysis

Overview

Oracle Primavera EPPM 8.0 (also known as P6 Release 8.0 or P6R8) introduces users to a more robust Resource Management functionality.  Some of the past functionality that only existed on the client server, such as the resource assignment view, are now available in P6R8 Web.   As a reminder, Oracle Primavera P6R8 is 100% web solution so no client/server installation is necessary.

Resource Management Features

Key Features include the follows:

• Eliminates the need to open Projects
• Resource Filtering
• Resource Assignment Table View
• Managers can view Gantt Chart of Resources
• Resource Usage Spreadsheet View
• Individuals can see assignments, and update progress on current assignment(s)

Enhanced Resource Filtering

• Do not need to have project(s) open
• My Assignments Default View
• Any activities that for that resource assignment
• Across all projects
• Resource Manager opening Team by Resource Code or Resource Team
• Do not need to know what projects resources are assigned to
• View what projects your resources have assigned to with or without approval
• Analyze assignments by Project, Program or Portfolio

Resource Assignment Table View

Resources can be listed in a tabular view or grouped by multiple criteria creating a nested affect.   For example, you may desire to see Resource Grouped by Resource Code ‘IT Team’ and by Resource Code ‘Internal Resource’.    The result would be all Resources on the IT Team that are Internal.  Conversely, you can switch the Resource Code to ‘External’ to capture the work assignments (labor units) and planned cost (assuming resource are assigned costs).  

• Additional Features are as follows:
• Fill Down
• Type-ahead within columns
• Ability to see Resources and their Cost Accounts
• Group resources at the macro level using Project Codes
• Group resources at the micro level using Resource Codes or Cost Account

Resource Assignment Gantt View

Resource assignments can now be seen via a Gantt Chart.   This feature is only available in the P6R8 Web Module.  For long range planning such as capital projects, view the Gantt Chart in years.   To gain a more detailed view, you can view down to the day and choose to show non-work time on the Gantt Chart bars.

Resource Usage Spreadsheet View

One of the most important enhancements to Oracle Primavera P68 is the inclusion of time-distributed data for resources. The spreadsheet allows users to see many time phased intervals including, quarter, month, financial period and day.   Organization can have easy visibility on the web to their resource / resource team assignments.  Numerous cost and units fields are available to tailor a view that can be saved and shared with team members.

Personal Calendars

Any resource that assigned their own Personal Calendar can now edit their own personal time off (PTO) / vacation time.   This is important as an organization can see what the resource capacity is for resource team on a monthly or yearly view.   Users can even sync their Oracle Primavera P6R8 calendar to any external calendar that supports the iCalendar (ics) standard.  (E.g. Google Calendar, MS Outlook, Apple iCal, Lotus Notes, Facebook, etc)

SUB3® Management Inc. is boutique Oracle Primavera Project Portfolio Management (PPM) global consulting firm specializing in enabling corporations achieve greater efficiencies and return on investment for projects with schedule, scope and cost challenges.

Our Clients are a sample set of those who have Run Projects with SUB3.  If SUB3 can assist your company contact us at info@sub3mgmt.com

SUB3 MANAGEMENT, INC.          www.sub3mgmt.com