What’s Missing from Project Server 2016?

Microsoft Project Server 2016

You have probably read a lot about what’s new in Project Server 2106, but it’s harder to find details about what Microsoft removed from this latest iteration of their PPM solution. So, here is a quick overview.

My Tasks

The My Tasks and associated Exchange Task Sync features along with the Work Management Service Application required for both features has been removed in SharePoint Server 2016.

Resource Plans Replaced

You have most likely heard the buzz around Project Server 2016 Resource Engagements.  As a quick summary, Resource Engagements are a Project Professional 2016 or Project for Office 365 feature used by Project Managers to build their project teams by collaborating with Resource Managers. Project Managers may submit requests for specific resources and Resource Managers will be able to accept, reject or modify the requests.

This new feature replaces the Resource Plans functionality you were familiar with in previous versions.  Have no fear though, as Microsoft states “Existing Resource Plans can be converted to Resource Engagements when you upgrade from Project Server 2013 to Project Server 2016 as an optional part of the upgrade process. However, the Resource Plan view will no longer be available in Project Professional 2016.”

 

Some Project Server Interface (PSI) Members

The following have been removed from the PSI Library

Type Removed Features
Activity PROPOSAL_REVIEW_APPROVAL_FEATURE_UID

PROPOSAL_REVIEW_WORKFLOW_FEATURE_UID

CubeStatus.CbsProcessErrorId DsoTranslatorNotFound

DsoNotInstalled

IPSContextInfo Lcid
PSContextInfo PSContextInfo(Boolean, String, Guid, Guid, Guid, String)

PSContextInfo(Boolean, String, Guid, Guid, Guid, Int32, String)

Lcid

SiteVersion

PSErrorID LookupTableItemHasTrailingOrLeadingWhitespace
PSEventID Deprecated8

Deprecated9

PSDBUtility IntArrayListToCommaDelimitedString
PSSecurityCategory MyPersonaIProjects
PSSecurityGIobaIPermission ChangeProjectState

CreateNewProposalOrActivity

DownloadPwaOutlookAddIn

ManageStatusReports

ViewDataAnalysis

PSSecurityObjectType MaxBuildInObjectType

Model

Security PROPOSAL_APPROVERS_GROUP_UID
ViewConstants.ViewType VISION

 

Some Project Server Interface (PSI) Extensions

Project Server Interface (PSI) extension scenarios are no longer supported In Project Server 2016. The scenarios enabled integration with custom Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) services.

What Does This Mean?

Luckily there are no significant omissions that would greatly impact you upgrading.  In fact, with the current emphasis on resource capacity planning and efficient workforce utilization, the new Resource Engagement functionality may be reason enough to consider migrating to the latest version, especially if you are still on Project Server 2010 or an earlier version that now has only limited support by Microsoft.

EPMA Can Help

Let EPMA assist in your evaluation of whether Project Server 2016 is a fit for your organization and determine the best path to get you there.  You even have the option to start with a fresh environment and only migrate key data or current projects.  Ask us how you can take advantage of our FREE migration/upgrade when you move to a hosted solution.

 

For more details & kick start your project management journey, sign up for our Microsoft Training Classes or send us an email.

I hope you find this blog post helpful.  For more tips and tricks on Project Management, please visit www.epmainc.com