Business Situation
Initially, Melbourne 2006 utilized Microsoft Office and Project Professional for project management and to assist in managing the preparations. By early 2004, however, Melbourne 2006 reached a critical milestone: with the event fast approaching and staff headcount set to dramatically increase over the course of the next two years, more sophisticated project management tools and techniques were required to handle the event’s increasing complexity. The organization needed a solution that would scale and could provide visibility of the programs of work throughout the organization.

Solution
Melbourne 2006 searched for a partner that could create its desired Enterprise Project Management infrastructure and solution. The organization chose Avanade because of the strength and tools found in Avanade’s global Delivery Management practice. Avanade’s alliance with Microsoft, its deep technical skill with Microsoft products, and its broad experience implementing enterprise-scale software and infrastructure were also important considerations for Melbourne 2006. The work began in May 2004.

Avanade’s solution uses Microsoft Project Server 2003 as its foundation. Project Managers at Melbourne 2006 now use Project’s desktop incarnation every day, administering project plans that are used by staff members who are given read-only access. Integration with SharePoint makes all data available via a web browser, using custom views designed by Avanade to enable staff in different departments to enjoy access to the information most relevant to their needs and roles.

Results
The solution allows for:

• Real-time access to the status of schedules, risks, and issues;
• Common interface and processes throughout the enterprise for all aspects of tracking project schedules;
• A holistic view of the project schedules;
• A secure environment for the management of sensitive risks and issues.