GJ Tech Blog: Project Server 2010 Features

Previous - Project Server 2010 Features Part 3, Part 2 & Part 1

Business Intelligence & Reporting
- Enhanced Reporting and Business Intelligence - Use Project Server 2010 to create powerful dashboards and drill down reporting. Users can create and modify reports on the fly with Project Server 2010.
- Reporting is significantly enhanced with not only OLAP based reporting but now also Excel Services based reporting. All Project Server reporting is now handled by Excel Services in SharePoint Server. The new version of Excel Services, which underlies all Project Server reporting capabilities.
- OLAP Update
  - Multiple OLAP Database support enables the administrator to configure, customize and provision OLAP databases based on the particular needs of the target audience.
  - An OLAP database’s data can be filtered based on a combination of date range, Project Department and Resource Department.
  - We can specify which data elements are included in a OLAP database. The ability to add or remove custom fields as dimensions and measures is an easy operation. For intrinsic data such as baselines and cost data, you can exclude the data from the OLAP database.you can also easily exclude inactive task from the OLAP data.you can add your own calculated measures to the database via the user interface.
- Reporting Database - A number of new data elements added to the Reporting database.
  - Now it is possible to create report using Timesheet administrative time data and timesheet custom field’s data.
  - Much richer view of logged time, planned vacation time or planned training time.
  - Included portfolio and workflow data.
  - Project properties are now populated into the Reporting database.
- Excel Based Reporting – Excel used as a BI data visualization tool. Excel make it easier for end users to extend the solution with creating new reports or assembling reports into a dashboard. you can use Excel reports to share information, either by email, SharePoint or aggregating a number of reports into a dashboard.
- New Business Intelligence Center -This new website is created beneath PWA to house Excel, SSRS and Performance Point content. This enables a one stop shop for all BI needs.
- Pre Connected Templates & Reports
  - Excel reports - Provide some pre-configured and pre-connected reports which can be used as dashboard components or as report starters to build your own version. E.g. Timesheet Actual report
  - Reporting Database Templates - Provide pre-connected blank templates for report creation over the Reporting database. These templates focus on key entities within Project Server. This makes it much easier to create quick reports on these specific items. The templates are: Dependent Projects ,Issues ,Project And Assignments ,Projects And Tasks ,Resources ,Risks ,Timesheet
  - Template for OLAP Databases - When an administrator builds a new OLAP database, Project Server 2010 will automatically create a pre-connected blank template for each of the 14 cubes. This makes it easy for a user to create reports quickly. These templates include: OlapAssignmentNonTimephased , OlapAssignmentTimephased , OlapDeliverables , OlapEpmTimesheet , OlapIssues , OlapPortfolioAnalyzer , OlapProjectNonTimephased , OlapProjectSharePoint , OlapProjectTimesheet , OlapResourceNonTimephased , OlapResourceTimephased , OlapRisks , OlapTaskNonTimephased , OlapTimesheet
- In addition to the templates, an Office Data Connection library is created and pre-populated. These connections are used by the templates and sample reports, and these remove the need for the user to know the server name, database name and SQL. In all cases, users can copy and modify these files to extend the reporting to meet their own needs.
- Multi-lingual support. For each language pack installed on the server, a folder with the requisite templates for each language will be generated.
Timesheet & Task Management
- Timesheet Enhancements
- Tasks can be put on hold, useful if you are weighing up your options or looking to revise the scope of your project. Inactive tasks can always be reactivated in the future should the need arise which is a lot better than deleting and then reinstating tasks.
- Time Tracking–
  - Integrated task statusing/timesheets
  - New Task Status Grid
    - client-like ribbon
    - clean left navigation menu
    - splitter bar
    - ability to reorder columns, hide/reveal columns and do custom sorts
  - Timesheets update
    - Moved the “Timesheet Center” to “Manage Timesheets”, so with a minimum of clicks we can create/load the timesheet for the period.
    - Timesheet page has the same grid technology as the Tasks page, The two grids behave a little differently:
      - Timesheet shows only late tasks and tasks with work planned in the period; Tasks shows all of a Team Member’s tasks plus those tasks where they are the assignment owner.
      - They also behave differently due to the differences in workflow between task update approval and timesheet approval.
    - Status Bar – Inform the team Member what to do next as well as displaying some global state such as the total hours and the period range.
    - Single Entry Mode (SEM) – it can be set on or off by the Administrator and governs the integration between timesheet and project task assignment data. When SEM is on the task update data automatically flows into the Timesheet and onto the Project wherever it is edited, until such time as the timesheet is sent for final timesheet manager approval. If SEM is on, then changes to task assignments are sent for approval to the Task Status Manager, and you can optionally hold back timesheet approval until all task updates are approved.
  - Approval Center
    - Integrated approval - approvals process faster by presenting all the approvals in a single dialog.
    - There is a Timesheet approval mixed in with task updates.
  - Exchange and Outlook Integration
    - The Team Member uses an Exchange client (Outlook or Outlook Web Access) and updates their tasks – any work entered is auto-submitted to the Task Status Manager, making this the simplest of the Time Tracking options. Using Import or Single Entry Mode the data will arrive in the timesheet where it can be tidied up and then sent for approval.
    - No Outlook addins required