ProChain Pipeline

Multiply the power of critical chain and ProChain by using ProChain Pipeline to synchronize your project schedules across the enterprise. Using ProChain Pipeline you will obtain clear, globally based priorities for all tasks across all projects. You will be able to check the interactions between any number of projects from a centralized location. New, enhanced reporting and decision support capabilities will enhance your competitive position through better, faster decisions. ProChain Pipeline provides a combination of ease of use, scalability and power for those implementing ProChain Project Management in multiple project environments.

Features

• Centralized scheduling for any number of resources and projects
• Automatic subproject rescheduling or re-synchronization based on the capacity of selected resources
• User-selectable project prioritization
• Automatic batch scheduling
• Scheduling profiles that allow consistency and ease of scheduling between multiple schedulers
• Manage tradeoffs between lead time and utilization through ProChain's patent pending "flow expansion" technology
• A "Database Manager" to help you manage many projects in a database
• Consolidated views of multiple project status

• Resource status reports showing relative task importance across all projects
• Provides loading information for any or all resources across a specified time horizon
• "Reserved capacity" feature allows you to set aside resource time for non-scheduled details
• User selection of resources for project pacing and synchronization

• One-click what-if analysis shows before-and-after picture quickly and accurately
• At-a-glance view of multiple projects gives instant cross-project status

• Manage complexity by linking your projects, tasks and resources in order to combine high- and low-level pictures
• Buffer management at any level of the project

• Roll up multiple levels of projects and programs to manage and report at many different levels

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Technical Requirements

• Windows 2000, XP, NT 4.0 or later
• Microsoft® Project English version 2000 or higher
• 2MB hard disk space

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Order Information

ProChain Pipeline is available in the following configurations:

• Up to 12 Projects
• Up to 25 Projects
• Up to 50 Projects
• Unlimited Projects

Please Contact ProChain for Price and Ordering information.

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Implementation Considerations

ProChain Pipeline can be used as simply an analysis tool. Depending on the situation, "implementing it" may be as simple as analyzing existing schedules. It can also be used to help manage and control projects, programs and resources across a large organization. In either case the information it produces will be as good as the available data; and realistic data depends on models that reflect actual behavior. For example, it is misleading to claim a task will take five weeks of uninterrupted time, if uninterrupted work is impossible.

Given the huge benefits we know are possible with the ProChain software and critical chain approach, we want our software to be used. We therefore include some considerations for those who are contemplating an organization-wide implementation of ProChain Pipeline. First, a typical full ProChain Pipeline implementation has several important objectives:

• Synchronized rollout of the critical chain/PPM approach throughout the organization, with its attendant benefits (visibility, predictability, speed, productivity, etc.)
• Improved resource management, resulting in reduced conflicts, improved resource availability and dramatically improved productivity
• Pipeline management, to match strategic requirements with organizational capabilities
• Decision support, integrating real-time information with the portfolio management and budgeting processes

In order to achieve these objectives successfully, we have found that there are several important elements of an implementation:

• Clear, step-by-step implementation process that seamlessly integrates software, software training, critical chain concepts training, and consulting services with your organization's needs
• Integrated decision-making processes to ensure repeatable, high-quality results
• Senior-level leadership of the needed changes to behaviors and work habits
• Close involvement of functional management in key resource areas
• Resource-level training that ensures timely task execution and progress reporting
• Clear project priorities

We recommend that you discuss these elements with one of our implementation experts. If you need further critical chain implementation information, please contact ProChain Solutions.

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