Exploring the use of Primavera Engineering & Construction and it's new Sibling, Primavera Contractor

Gordon H. Aronson, P.E.

Gordon Aronson is a registered Professional Engineer and has been involved in the engineering/construction industry over 40 years. He has been responsible for all levels of engineering and construction project management on various projects ranging from $300M in 1975 dollars to under $4M around the world. Gordon is President of Vision Consultants, Inc., an Arizona consulting firm providing a wide range of Primavera services and construction claims management services. Gordon is an Primavera solutions providers and certified trainer, a long time Construction industry arbitrator/mediator and provides complete Primavera installation, implementation and training services. He may be reached by email at gordona@visionconsultants.com.

By Gordon H. Aronson
President, Vision Consultants, Inc.

Introduction

Throughout this series of articles we will explore together the use of Primavera Engineering & Construction (P3e/c) and its sibling Primavera Contractor (Contractor), its use in the construction Industry, and a smooth transition from the P3/SureTrak era. I recognize that it is hard to say goodbye to old comfortable relationships and form new ones, but it's that time.

P3e/c-Contractor are mature products that have experienced change spurred by many users and a transfer of technology from their predecessors. Their growth and improvement will be ongoing for years to come. There are many new things for the new and transitioned user to learn.  If you were a power user of P3 and/or SureTrak you will most likely experience a temporary dip in your efficiency. 

Those of you who grew with P3 from its early days will now be able to work and grow with P3e/c-Contractor.  What we hope to achieve with this series of articles is an honest, yet positive approach to aligning the features and use of Primavera's new software suite with you, the construction scheduler.  We will strive to blend the practical with the technical and create a fun learning experience for all our readers. Our primary aim is the hardcore construction scheduler, yet we will be sure to touch on related subjects and suite components.  We encourage feedback. Some of the subjects that will be offered in future articles:

• Use of resources and costs in a construction schedule using P3e/c-Contractor
• The subcontractor's role in the baseline and updates
• Updating the construction schedule in P3e/c-Contractor
• Changes; how to handle in P3e/c-Contractor
• Why use a Work Breakdown Structure in Construction
• Coding my activities and using them in P3e/c-Contractor
• Layout and different views in P3e/c-Contractor
• Copying projects and baselining in P3e/c-Contractor
• Definition and use of Calendars in P3e/c-Contractor
• Different forms of documentation and how to use effectively
• Why and how to really use activity Steps
• The world of reports in P3e/c-Contractor
• The effective use of Global Change and user fields
• And more .....

We hope you will follow this series and reap all of its benefits.