Practical Solutions for Industry

Industrial Scheduling Services

  • Practical Industrial Scheduling and Training using MS Project

Industrial Scheduling

Every type of schedule is different. They all require a slightly different point of view.

Although MS Project can defintely be used for all types of schedules, it was originally designed for internal Microsoft use for software projects1.

And that bias remains in the DNA of MS Project. Most of the default settings just don't work well for plant shutdowns.

Books on MS Project are often also were written by people with an IT background. I could use some of what I read, but I had to adapt it to better fit my world.

It's hard for an IT person to visualize what people in a plant environment need from MS Project. The tool can still be used. But someone who has experience using it in a plant setting has a better handle on the typical needs of plant employees.

And that is what I can offer. Experience and training for using MS Project for plant maintenance shutdowns and industrial projects.

The articles on this site, and the services I provide, are for a plant environment.

Scheduling Services

In addition to the training noted above, I can provide scheduling services.

If you have a large capital project, or a large shutdown, your existing resources may be stretched to thin, or don't have the experience with large schedules. I can fill a temporary need.

For a brief description of my scheduling background, please see the article:
Scheduling Experience

MS Project Articles

The articles tend to cover stumbling blocks that I've seen trip people up over and over.

They don't cover the entire software package. The articles are a collection of tips that will likely be useful for people that work in industrial plants.

MS Project Calendars

Task Calendars

References