The latest release of the Oracle Primavera P6 PPM manual adds to the already impressive collection of project management concepts and project management software training manuals written by Paul Harris.
The Oracle Primavera P6 PPM manual expands the previous version of the book to create a comprehensive guide for creating and managing projects using the P6 PPM client. The book follows a logical approach to project schedule development, enabling the user to progress from the definition of project attributes, to the definition of WBS, activities and relationship, and the subsequent creation of resource assignment and the development of the project coding structures.
Common to other guides written by Paul, the manual allows the user to learn through self- paced training as well as allowing the content to be delivered in a classroom workshop environment. The extent of the material covered by the book ensures that the manual remains a source of useful reference even after the initial training has been completed.
Paul's many years of experience as project controls practitioner is reflected in the content of the book, with informative tips on the practical use the software features incorporated throughout the book's chapters.
I recommend Paul's book to anyone who wants to enhance their knowledge about Oracle Primavera P6 application. The presence of Paul's books in many organisations focused on successful project delivery is recognition of their value to all project management practitioners.
Jan Hanak, Managing Director, Keen Science Pty Ltd
The P6 PPM Manual by Paul Harris is a well-crafted guide into the concepts and functionality of Oracle Primavera P6. The manual contains 30 chapters of essential information that P6 users will require to get the most out of this complex scheduling tool. It makes the critical distinction between planning and tracking a non-resourced and a resourced plan and explains the necessary processes in a clear and concise manner.
Most chapters are reinforced with a workshop and this gives students the all-important "hands on" time with the software. I believe that this is the best way to understand and learn a new software tool and the workshop data is practical and relevant.
The P6 topics are introduced in a logical manner that follows the PMBOK Project Lifecycle stages. Once the P6 interface is understood, the process of building a project is undertaken. The main deliverables are defined in the WBS, the work is broken down into activities, logic is added, calendars are defined and scheduling is undertaken. There are a considerable number of preferences and settings that influence the scheduling calculations and all are explained in a timely and precise fashion.
I have been teaching Primavera scheduling to a wide range of industries for over 10 years and I believe that Paul's training material offers the best combination of functional and practical training, delivered in a style that is easy to comprehend.
Tom Grant MSc BSc, Principal, TAG Consultancy
