Transitioning from Windows to Linux became a challenge when it comes to Project Management software. I though nothing could beat MS Project and until finding RationalPlan, all the applications I tested were either buggy or seriously missing features. It was a huge relief finding RationalPlan as (almost) all of the features I expected were there, and even more. The product is solid, extremely intuitive, extremely helpful and don't think this as unimportant, it looks good! Absolutely nothing to complain about on the usability front. It is very clear lots of investment has been made so the application is a doddle to use. On thing it does not have and possibly rightfully so, automatic leveling. This is completely compensated by a flawless manual leveling interface. After using it for a while I started understanding the idea behind the decision of not doing auto leveling and it started making sense. Moreover, it has excellent reports and I absolutely loved the fact that they are customizable so I can export them and send them directly to customers without having to worry about branding issues. Spectacular! The other lovely feature is the fact that it makes it very easy to send emails concerning the project. I have only tested the Single version, on which I got all this for free, but the prices are very acceptable as even the Multi version will take no one to bankruptcy. Even small companies should be able to afford it. The bottom line is that I intend using it even if getting back to Windows. Amazing value!
The fact that it took me so long and too much pain before I discovered the existence of this application!
I am budgeting custom made software development projects.
As a project manager we use GANTT charts to understand where we are. We run RationalPan our own server and it is fantastic value for money.
There is nothing really to say here, if you know and like Microsoft Project then this fits the bill and exceeds.
We run multiple engineering and construction projects and use RationalPlan to control everything from concept to close out. The additional enhancements like risk control are a value add that we find extremely useful.
An easy-to-use project management tool with dependencies and a gantt chart for a tiny fraction of the MS project price, and it doesn't slow down my poor bloated laptop. It generates pdfs and it's file can be viewed by anyone with a free viewer
Filters on the different columns could be easier to use, and so could levelling resources; however, they are just a thing to learn and they work fine once you do so
I have used this program for building a school with a large team and for a personal task list that had complicated dependencies, and everything in between.
This tool, unlike many others my organization investigated, is based on sound project management principles. the sidebar "Project Guide" walks the user through the basis process of setting up, planning, and controlling the project. We were especially impressed that the WBS view keeps the focus on the tasks, before moving on to identification of predecessors and dates. It also offers the functionality of assigning and leveling resources at the correct stage of the project scheduling process. Once you have experienced the right-click functionality to indent/outdent tasks, add predecessors, etc., you might not want to ever go back to MS Project. The email support is reliable, fast, and friendly, regardless of the time of day. The free Viewer allowing users to open MS Project files is fantastic.
Some of the language used to describe Fixed Units vs Fixed Work tasks is somewhat awkward. we have also found that it does not play well with WebEx, which we use to train remote users.
Our organization conducted an exhaustive search of project scheduling tool vendors. Our criteria included: - Based on sound project management principles - User-friendly interface - Lower cost than MS Project - User/administrator support - Most of the functionality described below: Must have Features: - Gantt Chart view - Automatic duration/finish date calculation - Manual date entry option - Import function - Reports Nice to have features: - Non-working time calendars - Multiple dependency types RationalPlan was the only tool that met all these criteria.
This is the best alternative to Microsoft Project I have seen. It is much easier to use for either a very simple project or to expand as much as you wish for more complexity. I have used many planning software products going back many years to when these programs were only on mainframes. I have a small business now and use it for keeping things on track and also to estimate projects. I would recommend this to anyone.
Not much. I have a little trouble printing portions of a project.
Exploring how to manage my time on multiple projects. Estimating project durations and cost. Staying on track with projects.
I have over the last 4years, have used RationalPlan software successfully as a teaching aid for Project Management at James Cook Univeristy. I find it is well supported, intuitive to use and the students are confident and competent in its use in less than one hours tuition, which allows teaching and learning to be a more rewarding process for all. Students have been able to successfully develop highly detailed and well constructed plans with the use of this tool. The steps take away anxiety with the software's inbuilt guides and hints and its ability to quickly transform schedules into budget costs which non-accounting students are very pleased with. At the end of the subject they are very proficient with this project tool and have found it easy to translate into other industry compliant project software. I would highly recommend this as a great tool for teaching project management & planning. This tool delivers at a fraction of the cost what other much more expensive software does.
I have none and find this latest version smoother to use than previous and have found that each upgrade is delivering a better finished product and very good value.
Teaching Project Planning to Tertiary students. Students who have utilised this class have gone on to use the software in developing plans and schedules for group assignments in other tertiary subjects and in planning their PhD. In teaching, this tool delivers the ability of much more sophisticated software at a level that reduces anxiety in students and allows better learning to be acquired.
Value! MS Project is a hugely expensive piece of software. I needed something better than a spreadsheet but couldn't justify Microsoft's juggernaut.
The learning curve. This is the same with whatever software I chose but the documentation was a little lacking (MS Project is well documented with books etc to supplement the manual).
Ongoing planning and scheduling. Spreadsheets weren't good at moving tasks about.