Microsoft® Office Project 2007 All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies®

Chapter 1. Understanding Project Server

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✓	Discovering Project Server
✓	Determining whether you need Project Server
✓	Planning the implementation of Project Server

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Because you’re reading this book, we can safely assume that the products or services your organization provides are best accomplished in a project environment. We can also safely assume that you have a limited staff available to complete all your projects. In an organization where most of the work happens in a project environment using the same resources, the organization needs to manage the management of projects to maximize productivity and profit.

Enter Project Server. Project Server answers the needs of an enterprise to manage multiple projects that draw their resources from a common resource pool. This chapter describes the basics of how Project Server functions and how to approach using Project Server.

What Is Project Server?

Project Server provides your organization with one central database, located on a Web server or in a server farm on your company’s local area network (LAN) or intranet, in which you store all projects and all resources for your organization. Using Project Server, you can

• View a project’s Gantt chart

• Enter and view timesheet information

• Update assignments with progress and completion information

• Send status reports to the project manager

• Receive notices about task status

• Receive, refuse, and delegate work assignments

• Manage resource allocation across your organization ...