InterPlan Systems offers the project planning software tool eTaskMaker. We talked with Bernard Ertl from this company about how his product contributes to reaching the 7 goals for implementing project management software.

What is eTaskMaker and how does it help reaching "the 7 goals"?

eTaskMaker is a front end project estimating, planning and scheduling tool. It provides a platform for standardizing and improving best practices in estimating, planning and scheduling across the enterprise for companies that execute projects that are repetitive in nature (such as maintenance, construction, etc.). We currently offer planning modules targeted to industrial plant maintenance and construction and maritime/shipyard repair. However, the system is flexible enough to be used for any industry.

1. Improve project reporting and tracking

N/A - eTaskMaker is a front end estimating, planning and scheduling tool.

2. Improve estimating and scheduling

eTaskMaker provides a flexible platform for storing corporate intelligence in estimating, planning and scheduling. With the eTaskMaker Wizard, planners can prepare customized, detailed project plans and schedules based upon quantities, dimensions and answers to multiple choice questions. This allows companies to standardize estimating, planning and scheduling across the enterprise - ensuring that all planners of varying experience can generate plans and estimates conforming to corporate best practices.

The eTaskMaker Module Editor allows planners to modify the eTaskMaker estimating modules or create new ones. This allows companies to refine, improve and extend their knowledge base over time.

Estimates produced with eTaskMaker can be exported to a variety of third party systems for cost estimating and project management allowing a one to one correspondence between estimates and project schedules.

3. Reduce cost or speed process up by automating workflows

eTaskMaker can dramatically reduce the time it takes a planner to estimate, plan and schedule a work order (or job plan). Consider that the process of detailing (and/or customizing) required tasks, durations, resources and PDM schedule logic can take a planner anywhere from 1-4 hours manually (or by editing a historical template). Generating an equivalent plan with eTaskMaker might take 5-10 minutes. When the savings are extrapolated across a large project, a large planning force or a large enterprise, the cost reductions can be dramatic.

4. Improve resource assignments

eTaskMaker will assign (estimate) resource requirements for all tasks. Once schedules are exported from eTaskMaker, resource management (during the project execution) needs to be handled via the project management system of your choice.

5. Improve project communication

N/A - eTaskMaker is a front end estimating, planning and scheduling tool.

6. Improve project team collaboration

eTaskMaker offers a platform storing a corporate knowledgebase of best practices in estimating, planning and scheduling.

7. Improve overall project success

Project planning lays the foundation for successful project management. eTaskMaker enables a company to achieve consistency and quality in their project planning efforts.

Project Planning Software Tool: eTaskMaker