Paul E Harris has worked in the project controls industry for a number of years and has assisted many companies in a range of industries to set up and run project controls systems with a strong focus on project scheduling software. He is the author of dozens of books on project management software including books on Oracle Primavera, Microsoft Project and Elecosoft (Asta) Powerproject. His Melbourne, Australia based company, Eastwood Harris Pty Ltd, offers project controls consulting and training services worldwide based on the books he has written and published. Paul Harris holds an Honours Degree in Civil Engineering obtained in the UK and is a Certified Cost Engineer through AACEI International, a PRINCE2 Registered Practitioner and a “Managing Successful Programmes” Registered Practitioner.
If you have been involved in Project Controls and use Oracle’s Primavera P6 project management software you will know who Paul Harris is. Paul has been publishing pragmatic project management software manuals for as long as I can remember. All too often when buying a manual for using software it becomes apparent that the author only has theoretical knowledge. This is not the case with Paul’s books. Paul has a deep experience gained over 40 years and has he the ability to distil this knowledge into an easy to read and understand guide for using this sometimes tricky software. Building on Paul’s previous Oracle Primavera P6 manuals he has now published a condensed version that also has included some additional useful tips. Paul’s new book “99 Tricks and Traps for Oracle Primavera P6 PPM Professional” is a useful addition to any experienced planner’s project controls library and also a handy reference guide for a new users in order to avoid some of the more dangerous pitfalls that can be hidden within P6. Michael Jack, Independent Project Controls Expert, Nietzsche Pty Ltd. Project scheduling in software is a complex undertaking and the seemingly “user friendly” environment presented by Oracle Primavera P6 can sometimes lull a user into a false sense of security. In this” 99 Tricks and Traps” book Paul has cast a spotlight on the potential pitfalls in the software that can trap the unwary. He explains the P6 environment and terminology with great clarity and makes vital recommendations about the optimum settings for the program. The book is well presented, with plenty of diagrams and screenshots, and should be considered an essential component of any professional P6 scheduler’s library. Tom Grant MSc BSc, Principal, TAG Consultancy.