Does anyone use, recommend, or have devised a “management” program for the preparation of spex?
Most available “project management” software is way too complex with bar graphs, etc. I am looking for something simple that can provide me with good grasp on a project’s status. Also, a log of decisions needed to be made, decisions made, and further research needed or other product related issues linked to the status.
There are a lot of programs out there for CA and construction activities but I can’t find one that really fits for project manual preparation.
Any suggestions will be appreciated.
[My #1 New Year’s resolution is to get better organized – I gave up on my desk!!]
Add to that the tracking of packages–what sections are released, revised/reissued, pending etc.–for fast-track, the typical delivery method these days. This should include the ability to actually manipulate the files themselves using automation such as: processing headers, updating a matrix of sections released (replaces the table of contents), creating PDFs, and posting on FTP. We spend 20 to 25 hours to “process” significant packages, most of which isn’t producing much real value. And many jobs have 5 or 6 major packages.
I had a project once where the contractor said he “had to have” the project issued in 45 packages. Luckily, we were able to talk him down to 18…
Anne, I hope you were compensated for doing the contractor’s administrative work!
yes.. the office was billing hourly, so the owner eventually prevailed upon the contractor to reduce the number of packages to 6, I think.
See David Stutzman’s recent blog entry entitled “Simple Collaboration Tools are Key.” He discusses the use of a web-based collaboration tool called “Basecamp.”
http://www.conspectusinc.com/blog/2010/01/simple-collaboration-tools-are-key.html
I started using basecamp for our local region conference. Since then I have used it for the CSI national Education committee for several projects. it works well for what it is. but don’t think that it is going to manage RFIs be a database - cause it’s not. other than that, it’s great - and cheap.
M
Basecamp is okay - I’ve used it too. A more powerful and flexible program (rather than shareable ToDo lists) is Wrike: http://www.wrike.com/