25
Thu, Apr
1 New Articles
  1. You are here:  
  2. Home
  3. IT Infrastructure
  4. Operating Systems
  5. Linux / Open Source
  6. TechTip: Need a Project Management Tool? Open Workbench Is the Answer

TechTip: Need a Project Management Tool? Open Workbench Is the Answer

Typography
  • Smaller Small Medium Big Bigger
  • Default Helvetica Segoe Georgia Times

Why pay for a project management tool when you can get a better one for free?

 

Do you ever have a need for a project scheduling and tracking tool? If so, this article is for you!

 

My organization often deals with projects that require a means of organizing tasks, scheduling, and tracking project activity. The need is common in businesses. Projects require proper management to be successful, and having tools to assist makes management much easier.

 

I have encountered instances in which there were no other common tools than Excel to use for project scheduling and tracking, which of course is greatly lacking in capability for this use. In other cases, there weren't enough licenses for everyone on the team to be able to use the selected tool, or we had issues with not everyone having the same version of the tool being used.

 

Several months ago, I was introduced to Open Workbench, which was released in March 2006. Open Workbench is a free, open-source, Windows-based desktop application that provides project planning, project scheduling, resource management, project review, and more. You can't beat the price! Free is always a plus. Better yet, the robust functionality provided is comparable to tools that have a price tag. Like many others, I used to feel a bit unsure about open source. Open Workbench has definitely improved my regard for open source. The download is quick. It is easy to install and doesn't require any special configuration. We have used the tool on a PC with both XP and Vista.

 

111309LauraFigure1 

Figure 1: This is the Open Workbench home page. (Click image to enlarge.)

 

I'm quite familiar with Microsoft Project and found that much of the functionality provided within Open Workbench was very similar. Some of the Open Workbench functionality required a little effort to figure out, but Open Workbench has help support, documentation, and a forum that makes it easy to find answers. I've found the response time great and am glad to see there is obvious enthusiasm for enhancing the tool. The software for the most part is very intuitive, but if you don't readily find the answer within the software help, you can ask a question through the forum and quickly get the answer. See Figure 2.

 

111309LauraFigure2 

Figure 2: Quickly find answers to your questions in the Open Workbench forums.

Creating and Assigning Resources

One of the tasks that took a little effort to figure out is creating and assigning resources, but the answer was pretty easily found through the Open Workbench forum. Click on the Planning tab and then the Resource Assignment tab. At the very bottom are the resources. Right-click on a line down there, and click Modify. Then enter your resource's name and a number. Next, go back to the tasks. Right-click on the task you wish to assign resources to and click Modify. Click on the Resources tab and then double-click on the resources you want. The numbers that correspond to the appropriate resources should appear next to the task in the Resource ID column. A list of all the resources you created will be at the bottom of the screen.

Viewing and Sorting

Workbench provides Gantt Chart view, CPN Network view, and a phase-level Gantt view. In addition, to sort your project tasks, you are able to use favorites; planning, executing, and controlling views; and filters.

 

Following are screen shots that represent  some of the functionality provided through the tool.

 

111309LauraFigure3

Figure 3: This is a typical project Gantt Chart view.

 

111309LauraFigure4

Figure 4: These are the CPM Network, Dependency Definitions, Dependency Status, and Gantt Chart views.

 

111309LauraFigure5

Figure 5: These are Phase Level Gantt, Resource Assignment, Revise Schedule, and Schedule views.

 

111309LauraFigure6 

Figure 6: These are Status Update, Unused Availability, Variance Analysis, and WBS Definition views.

 

As you can see, the tool is quite robust. Other great features of Open Workbench include the ability to import Microsoft Project files and the ability to save the project document as an XML file.

 

We have been able to make great use of the tool and hope you do too!

Laura Ubelhor
Laura Ubelhor owns and operates Consultech Services, Inc., a Rochester, Michigan-based technology consulting company. She has written many technology articles and is co-author of Developing Business Applications for the Web and HTML for the Business Developer. Laura also helped write the COMMON certification RPG and Business Computing Professional exams. She has been involved in the Southeast Michigan iSeries User group since 1988 and has served as group president for over 15 years, as well as lead organizer for the group’s annual MITEC conference. Laura is also a longtime volunteer for COMMON, the IBM i and Power Systems user group, and has spent much of her career advocating for IT professional education.

MC Press books written by Laura Ubelhor available now on the MC Press Bookstore.

Developing Business Applications for the Web Developing Business Applications for the Web
Gain the knowledge you need to build Web browser front-end applications that let users interact with business data.
List Price $79.95

Now On Sale

HTML for the Business Developer HTML for the Business Developer
 Learn how to develop and deploy robust, data-driven, Web-based interfaces for your business applications.
List Price $49.95

Now On Sale
BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS

LATEST COMMENTS

Support MC Press Online

$0.00 Raised:
$

Book Reviews

Resource Center

  • SB Profound WC 5536 Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application. You can find Part 1 here. In Part 2 of our free Node.js Webinar Series, Brian May teaches you the different tooling options available for writing code, debugging, and using Git for version control. Brian will briefly discuss the different tools available, and demonstrate his preferred setup for Node development on IBM i or any platform. Attend this webinar to learn:

  • SB Profound WP 5539More than ever, there is a demand for IT to deliver innovation. Your IBM i has been an essential part of your business operations for years. However, your organization may struggle to maintain the current system and implement new projects. The thousands of customers we've worked with and surveyed state that expectations regarding the digital footprint and vision of the company are not aligned with the current IT environment.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT Generic IBM announced the E1080 servers using the latest Power10 processor in September 2021. The most powerful processor from IBM to date, Power10 is designed to handle the demands of doing business in today’s high-tech atmosphere, including running cloud applications, supporting big data, and managing AI workloads. But what does Power10 mean for your data center? In this recorded webinar, IBMers Dan Sundt and Dylan Boday join IBM Power Champion Tom Huntington for a discussion on why Power10 technology is the right strategic investment if you run IBM i, AIX, or Linux. In this action-packed hour, Tom will share trends from the IBM i and AIX user communities while Dan and Dylan dive into the tech specs for key hardware, including:

  • Magic MarkTRY the one package that solves all your document design and printing challenges on all your platforms. Produce bar code labels, electronic forms, ad hoc reports, and RFID tags – without programming! MarkMagic is the only document design and print solution that combines report writing, WYSIWYG label and forms design, and conditional printing in one integrated product. Make sure your data survives when catastrophe hits. Request your trial now!  Request Now.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericForms of ransomware has been around for over 30 years, and with more and more organizations suffering attacks each year, it continues to endure. What has made ransomware such a durable threat and what is the best way to combat it? In order to prevent ransomware, organizations must first understand how it works.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericIT security is a top priority for businesses around the world, but most IBM i pros don’t know where to begin—and most cybersecurity experts don’t know IBM i. In this session, Robin Tatam explores the business impact of lax IBM i security, the top vulnerabilities putting IBM i at risk, and the steps you can take to protect your organization. If you’re looking to avoid unexpected downtime or corrupted data, you don’t want to miss this session.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericCan you trust all of your users all of the time? A typical end user receives 16 malicious emails each month, but only 17 percent of these phishing campaigns are reported to IT. Once an attack is underway, most organizations won’t discover the breach until six months later. A staggering amount of damage can occur in that time. Despite these risks, 93 percent of organizations are leaving their IBM i systems vulnerable to cybercrime. In this on-demand webinar, IBM i security experts Robin Tatam and Sandi Moore will reveal:

  • FORTRA Disaster protection is vital to every business. Yet, it often consists of patched together procedures that are prone to error. From automatic backups to data encryption to media management, Robot automates the routine (yet often complex) tasks of iSeries backup and recovery, saving you time and money and making the process safer and more reliable. Automate your backups with the Robot Backup and Recovery Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAManaging messages on your IBM i can be more than a full-time job if you have to do it manually. Messages need a response and resources must be monitored—often over multiple systems and across platforms. How can you be sure you won’t miss important system events? Automate your message center with the Robot Message Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAThe thought of printing, distributing, and storing iSeries reports manually may reduce you to tears. Paper and labor costs associated with report generation can spiral out of control. Mountains of paper threaten to swamp your files. Robot automates report bursting, distribution, bundling, and archiving, and offers secure, selective online report viewing. Manage your reports with the Robot Report Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAFor over 30 years, Robot has been a leader in systems management for IBM i. With batch job creation and scheduling at its core, the Robot Job Scheduling Solution reduces the opportunity for human error and helps you maintain service levels, automating even the biggest, most complex runbooks. Manage your job schedule with the Robot Job Scheduling Solution. Key features include:

  • LANSA Business users want new applications now. Market and regulatory pressures require faster application updates and delivery into production. Your IBM i developers may be approaching retirement, and you see no sure way to fill their positions with experienced developers. In addition, you may be caught between maintaining your existing applications and the uncertainty of moving to something new.

  • LANSAWhen it comes to creating your business applications, there are hundreds of coding platforms and programming languages to choose from. These options range from very complex traditional programming languages to Low-Code platforms where sometimes no traditional coding experience is needed. Download our whitepaper, The Power of Writing Code in a Low-Code Solution, and:

  • LANSASupply Chain is becoming increasingly complex and unpredictable. From raw materials for manufacturing to food supply chains, the journey from source to production to delivery to consumers is marred with inefficiencies, manual processes, shortages, recalls, counterfeits, and scandals. In this webinar, we discuss how:

  • The MC Resource Centers bring you the widest selection of white papers, trial software, and on-demand webcasts for you to choose from. >> Review the list of White Papers, Trial Software or On-Demand Webcast at the MC Press Resource Center. >> Add the items to yru Cart and complet he checkout process and submit

  • Profound Logic Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application.

  • SB Profound WC 5536Join us for this hour-long webcast that will explore:

  • Fortra IT managers hoping to find new IBM i talent are discovering that the pool of experienced RPG programmers and operators or administrators with intimate knowledge of the operating system and the applications that run on it is small. This begs the question: How will you manage the platform that supports such a big part of your business? This guide offers strategies and software suggestions to help you plan IT staffing and resources and smooth the transition after your AS/400 talent retires. Read on to learn: