MSP & Primavera Diffrences

S.no. MSP Primavera

1

Only one user can view real time information and do updating. Other users

accessing the same project can only view dated information.

Primavera allows multiple users to concurrently access a single project / multiple

projects at any time. This provides the following advantages :

-More accessibility, uptime and visibility

-Users are looking at the most updated data all the time.

-Users can concurrently do editing on the same project.

2

Within Microsoft Project, Project Managers (PM) / Resource Managers (RM)

can only open one project for analysis at any one time. If a PM is working on

Multiple projects, or wants to compare data, he has to open multiple files or

insert from multiple projects to a temporary single project.

Primavera is able to open multiple projects concurrently, whether for updating or for

analysis. Enterprise data structures like Enterprise Project Structure (EPS) allows the

system to recognize the organizational layout and provides inter-departmental security

and integrity. Organizational Breakdown Structure (OBS) provides definition of people’s

roles in different projects, supplying them with appropriate views of data, as well as

security. Access and updating rights can be assigned on different levels.

3

Microsoft Project’s templates are at best high level, non-enforceable

guidelines to the user. These templates are static and do not enforce standard

processes across the enterprise - they can be modified without any security

controls protecting them

Primavera Methodology Manager provides robust templates with WBS, task, role

requirement, historical estimates, document templates and complete knowledge

bases. These templates have enforced security preventing reckless changes to the

knowledgebase.

4

Microsoft Project requires MS Project Professional to control project and

resource data and then publish the information to the web. However, users of

MS Project Web cannot edit the information they can read, implying that each

Project Manager / Resource Manager requires a copy of MS Project

Professional loaded on their terminal.

Primavera offers fully functional web solutions for Project Managers and Resource

Managers. The users can read and/or write to pertinent data based on their security

profile. Primavera web tools can be used by the PM & RM to do their job.

Primavision allows users to log in from the internet. Based on their profiles (which are

to be set in P3e on the server side), these users will be able to view / edit pertinent

information which will be updated to the centralized database.

5

No Scheduling Service, Microsoft Project does not have server based

scheduling available hence scheduling of multiple projects with hundreds of

resources will be a problem. In fact, MS Project can level ONE (1) project at

any one time. Resource leveling will have to be done in MS Project

Professional. Multiple projects again have to be consolidated into one project

manually, leveled and then saved individually back.

Enterprise Level Scheduling and Leveling, Primavera is able to schedule multiple

projects simultaneously and hassle-free. Resource leveling and analysis across multiple

projects is also simple.

6

Microsoft Project cannot view detailed, task-level information for resources

working on multiple projects from MS Project Professional. Detailed task

information is only available for one project at a time. The Resource Manager

has to open multiple projects or consolidate into one project. Each project the

Resource Manager opens provides additional “Summary” information on the

resources involved, lacking insight in resource task levels.

Primavera provides Resource Managers with ability to view, edit and update task level

information for resources, whether they are working on single or multiple projects. It is

comprehensive, easy-to-use with Cross project and resource views.

7

Reports, Cross Project Reports are also extremely expensive and difficult. MS

Project ships with 29 standard reports only and directs users to 3rd party tools

for advanced reporting capabilities, leading to additional costs. The creation of

cross project reports require creation of custom data cubes, or consolidation

of multiple projects manually by Project Manager.

Primavera comes with More than 100 standard reports in the base Primavera system

and is more robust on the type of information provided. It is easy to create / customize

new reports for single or multiple projects.

8

Cumbersome Project Security: Project Security is both complex and rigid,

requiring a full-time IT Administrator. Users either have access to the project

or not at all. Limited Technology Support: Microsoft Project is based on MS

SQL Server 2000 which does not have any ORACLE support is available. In

addition, Microsoft IIS and ActiveX controls raise security concerns for

organizations.

Primavera offers more flexible but equally robust security. Security gradations allow

unprecedented flexibility in assigning user rights and privileges based on functions. This

security function can be handled by a project manager.

Primavera Vs MSP