Multi-Project-Planner addresses the problem of planning and scheduling multiple concurrent projects competing for shared and scarce resources.
To this end Multi Project Planner's main planning board is build like the 'Job Shop Scheduler' used in the manufacturing business.
In a Job Shop a job runs through a set of operations such as cutting, sanding, drilling etc, where each operation is conducted on a machine capable of performing the operation.
In order to schedule the jobs, the Job Shop Scheduler contains a master schedule, where each row represents a machine, on which the operations are booked according to available space in time and capabilities of the machine.
Likewise Multi Project Planner contains a master plan, where each row represents a work team, offering a set of competencies and upon which the activities of the projects are booked according to available space in time and competencies required by the activities.
Planning a project in Multi Project Planner involves two steps:
1. Creating the gantt chart for the project in a separate window.
2. Drag and drop the gantt chart unto the master plan, letting Multi Project Planner figure out the scheduling.
This 'Divide and conquer' strategy greatly eases the task of scheduling multiple concurrent projects competing for shared resources.
The layout of the master plan directly addresses the problem of resource conflicts as they are immediately visible.
Further the layout allows an emphasis on flow of throughput over the capacity, thereby preventing sudden build up of resource demands.
Together with a lot features, the layout greatly eases the daily handling of multiple projects as well as minimizing the lead-time for the projects and finally minimizes the strains on the brains of the planner.
Look and feel of the familiar planning board.
