The project management module allows the user to manage a series of work orders that have been scheduled to prompt a progression of tasks, in order to reach an objective efficiently and on time. The unique planning capability of the IMPACTxp system means that the user is able to plan and organize the labor and materials required to carry out each individual task in a project.

This planning capability is extended even further however, with the aid of Microsoft Project, for the management of time constraints. Directly linking into Microsoft Project, the IMPACTxp System recognizes that the objective is the target completion date. The IMPACTxp system is therefore able via this link to automatically schedule and re-schedule work orders wherever any event occurs that would necessitate a plan revision, in order to conclude the project on time.

The benefits of utilizing the project management module include:

The ability to plan ahead
The ability to add structure to a project
The ability to manage time constraints

creating a project

Each new project is given a unique identification and description within IMPACTxp. This means that when work orders are created, they can be attached to the relevant project.

When the project or plan has been identified, it is automatically created and recognized in Microsoft Project. This means that the user does not have to create the project twice.

project work orders

Work orders are created with the aid of unique IMPACTxp scheduling rules, where the user also has the ability to plan for the optimum use of manpower, materials and kit lists. If optional modules are installed the user is also able to attach images, relevant drawings and documents.

When all the details are completed, the work order can be attached to a project by simply clicking on the project icon and selecting the relevant project id.

user definable project structure

The project management module recognizes tasks may need to be carried out in a specific sequence, to reach the objective safely and efficiently. For example, to organize a maintenance project, certain components would need to be shutdown before a service could be undertaken.

Therefore, the user has the unique ability to attach predecessors to each individual work order. A predecessor is a work order that must be completed before an employee can log on to the next. Each work order may have an unlimited number of predecessors attached to it, or be a predecessor itself. This means that the user is able to build a project around a structure.

To ensure that tasks are carried out according to the structure of the project, a further feature is the automatic suspension of work orders that have predecessors. The user would not be permitted to log on to a work order unless its predecessors were completed first.

automatic rescheduling

When the relevant work orders have been selected, the IMPACTxp system automatically passes the information to Microsoft Project. The plant number, craft code, job description, due date and a list of predecessors can therefore be viewed in Microsoft Project. The user does not have to re-enter these details separately.

The Microsoft planner analyses the due dates of each predecessor attached to individual work orders. If the due date of a work order is prior to the due date of an attached predecessor, Microsoft Project will automatically re-schedule the work order to a later date.

The information is then passed back to IMPACTxp and the new due date of the work order is updated. This means that the user does not have to compose the exact start and end dates of a work order in order to maintain the structure of the project. Provided the user has specified that there is a chronological order by attaching relevant predecessors, Microsoft Project will automatically investigate and re-adjust any due dates where necessary, with the target completion date in mind.

maximum flexibility

The user has the ability to change individual work order detail after they have been assigned to a project. The Microsoft planner automatically reviews the information and revises all the remaining work order completion dates if appropriate. This information is then passed back to IMPACTxp.

The user also has the option of adding work orders to projects retrospectively, or even removing them entirely. When the user completes a task, dependent work orders become released or unsuspended. The user also has the ability to change project work orders directly from the planner. By simply clicking on the update IMPACTxp option, the user is able to alter the start and end dates of each work order, the description and any appropriate predecessors.