[plug] planning software

[Paul Dean]

Hi Gavin,

I concur with Bern, as a Project manager, you do need to consider the time frames that you will need to work within.

My suggestion is http://sourceforge.net/projects/openproj/ , a very good OSS project management program.

They do do a commercial software application, so a lot of info is developed in openproj and moved up as it matures.

Enjoy your project, as I'm on a similar journey with renovations... :-)

--


Thanks

Paul Dean.

"Life is not WHAT you make it, it's WHO you have in it..."

QOTD:
=========================================
You are only young once, but you can stay immature indefinitely.
=========================================


On Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:50:12 +0800
Bernd Felsche <bf_plug at felsche.org> wrote:

>On Sun, 11 Dec 2011 23:40:58 Gavin Chester wrote:
>> Looking for advice on a linux gpl (of course) app to help with
>> planning all stages of building a house. I am engaging
>> contractors, but have designed it myself and want control and a
>> record of all the elements of the build, such as specifying all
>> the detail like plumbing diameters, fixtures, etc. In other words,
>> an app to encompass the generalities and have nested within it
>> minute details room by room.
>
>Are you an Engineer or architect?
>You should be looking for a project management package.
>
>Capable of handling a building specification.
>Presumably you'll also want to track costs.
>And you may want to schedule purchases to contain finance costs.
>
>Buildings take considerable time to construct. Materials need to
>arrive in time to be used for construction. So you also need to
>manage things like labour times, holidays, etc. etc.
>
>The contractors doing the construction can provide estimates of how
>long each stage of construction will take. A construction manager
>will be able to overlap construction tasks to minimise overall
>construction time, without the tradies stepping in each others'
>lunchboxes. There is always the danger of worksite congestion.
>
>Even the best-designed software package doesn't have that
>appreciation of detail built in. Simply because there are external
>variables, unique to each construction. Knowledge is data. Data is
>not nous.
>
>Put a construction manager's knowledge into a computer and an expert
>will benefit. But it becomes a dangerous instrument in the hands of
>those who don't have an understanding of the business factors.
>
>I'm working with OpenERP on a production management module for their
>OpenERP application. That module is still 6 months away from alpha.
>The main application can handle documents, purchases, etc. Even
>simple bills of materials.
>
>But it's inadequate for managing complicated jobs. Which is why I
>designed a proper manufacturing/project management module.
>
>For a one-off construction job, I'd stick to paper and whiteboard(s)
>as well as bills of materials taken directly off the (electronic)
>drawings.
>
>If you do not have a professional construction manager (and do not
>have the experience to do it yourself) then you are liable to
>experience substantial cost and schedule over-runs. 
>


-- 

Thanks

Paul Dean.

"Life is not WHAT you make it, it's WHO you have in it..."

QOTD:
=========================================
Life is to you a dashing and bold adventure.
=========================================
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