E Z Project

EZ Project (version 4.05) is a text-based, project management program that runs on both the desktop and on the HP Palmtop. The program is written and compiled using Clipper, a database management programming language. The program thus requires a special DOS environment variable, SET CLIPPER=, to be used before running the EXP.EXE file. This is best handled in a DOS batch file, EZ.BAT.

ECHO OFF
prompt Dir:$p$_Type EXIT to Return.$_$g
SET CLIPPER=F30;E0;
EPX.EXE
prompt $p$g
CLS
ECHO ON

The following screen shots illustrate some of the more important features of EZProject.

EZProject: Opening Screen

On the HP Palmtops the program runs best if you exit System Manager altogether and start the batch file by typing EZ at the DOS prompt. Even then the program is slow to start. It runs very slowly when browsing through the database.

The menu on the first line of the screen can be accessed by pressing a highlighted key. To use the sample project file, you press P for project and type EASY at the prompt for the name of a project. The word "EASY" must be in uppercase letters.

Similarly, you can enter or edit separate tasks by pressing T and entering the number code for the task. This will bring up the following screen.

To enter resources, either fixed or variable, you press the R key and enter EASY and the name or/and number of the resource.

EZProject: Resource Entry Screen

EZProject: Browse Screen

The previous screen shot is one of several screens available when browsing through the database. You can move across the database at an acceptable speed. However the speed when scrolling down or up is unacceptably slow on an HP Palmtop. Sometimes it would take 25 to 30 seconds to put text on the screen when the PgUp or PgDn keys were pressed. Other than that the program performs at an acceptable speed.

EZProject: Gantt Chart

The above screen shot shows the Gantt chart for the start of the sample project. It's not very elaborate. However the critical path may be calculated upon demand (a slow process) and milestone events are marked on the display. There is apparently no way to adjust the time scale. So what you get is what you get!

EZProject: Report Menu

EZProject has an acceptable range of reports. They're no where as sophisticated as the reports available from such desktop programs as Primarvera or SureTrak, but they may be all that you need.

David Keltie (CIS ID 72713,251) is a user of EZProject. He also teaches courses in project management. When asked to give his opinion of the program, David replied:

I think EP is an excellent, straightforward, basic, standalone PM program. It's easy to use and a PM novice would be able to start using it straightaway. What it does it does well. It presents projects graphically through a GANTT chart (no PERT), and generates a range of adequate reports. A limited number of non-working days can be defined for resources but these then apply to them all.

It's limited to 20 phases for each project (and 20 tasks for each phase) so it couldn't handle larger projects. It also can't consolidate projects (though if you had many small projects, you could use a separate phase for each, provided not more than 20 tasks were involved. But then why use it all?).

For a single user, it would be adequate for getting to grips with using PM software for simple projects. Indeed, I will recommend it to people taking the PM courses I teach. If your PM needs are for something simple, I would highly recommend it.

However, for those who want a simple introduction before moving on to computerizing larger

and more complex projects the problem would be its non-integration with more complex programmes. I would recommend MS Project in those cases. It is easy to use (especially if you get to grips with basics before exploring more complex features) with excellent on-line help. .

The license fee for Easy Project is $59.00 (U.S. funds only) and is available from

Parcell Software
P.O. Box 165
Geneva, Il  60134
FAX   708.232.6339

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