Re: Feature suggestion: 2 times for "duration of task": optimistic and pessimistic

sön 2002-08-18 klockan 21.33 skrev info:
>>
>> Please don’t overload the software by MsProject incompatible functions,
>> really make them optional features (configureable in an option menu).
Onl=
y
>> when the feature is switched on, the menu items and features should be
>> accessible and visible to the user.

>What do you mean by "incompatible functions"? Please give more specific
>pointers.

Incompatible is ment here as “not available in MsProject”. But as you do not
try to make
a copy of MsProject and therefore not aiming with your product to current
MsProject users, this is not an issue for you anyway. Making MrProject a
functional and visual a copy of MsProject would have  made it easier for
current MsProject users to switch because they would be able to be instantly
be productive without the need of learning an new product. But obviously
this is not a goal for you.

Concerning the switchable features:

I would find it great if the more advanced features of a product would be
able to be switched off and therefore cant be seen in the Interface so that
they don’t confuse the unexperienced user. As the user makes progress,
additional features could be added to the user interface (menus, buttons,
dialogs ….) through
option configuration.



>> To reach a Milestones it takes **one** person to take responsibility for
=
the
>> timing and resource of this milestone.
>> Is has to be **taking** responsibility and not **assigned**
responsibilit=
y
>> by the boss.

>Since MrProject is a single user program, without a project
>central/multiuser version, assigning/taking responsibility has to be
>done by ONE person. Nothing stops that person from asking the people
>he's working with if they are willing to do this and that etc.
>I don't see your point really, but perhaps what you mean is that we need
>a multiuser setup. That's probably something that we'll end up
>implementing in the future, if we have the time to do it. Not in the
>near future though.

My suggestions were not ment for the near future. Just some thoughs for in
what direction
Such a Project might head and to whom it may be very usefull. e.g. big
Project groups with
big projects.

>> I suggest that every task is give to durations of implementation. The
>> optimistic one and the pessimistic one.

>This is already planned, and needed e.g. for displaying a proper PERT
>diagram.

Very good. The way this is solved in MsProject is not a good one.

>We are still early in the development and have not even reach a first
>1.0 release. Lots of functionality is still missing. If you want to
>speed up development, please send patches or perhaps contact us about
>writing a contract to develop certain features you want.

I am supporting Open Source projects since 1993 and do understand quite well
the business model and methods of Open Source development. In fact I even
consulted the EU Comission for funding Open source Projects. www.eupki.org
for example is one of the results of this initiative headed by Carlos
Duffara.

It might be that you are trying to make MrProject very attractive to a
certain type of users (like construcion companies). I could find companies
which fit into this type of users and make them to pay for additional
features they want in Mrproject because I can explain them why it is cheaper
for them to invest into feature they need than into a new version of the
projecmt management software they currently use.

So please tell me to which type of users you try to be so attractive that
they cant resist.

I personally think that the real value of a software-development-team
(propriety or open soure) lies not
the source code, but the understanding of the needs of a certain group of
users and being able to deliver them a solution which makes them more
productive. This is what Apple and Microsoft are good at. It is almost
impossible to understand the needs of all people needing project management
software.

>Thanks for the suggestions!

Thanx for your reply

ed