ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with some of the preparations that are necessary before a computer system can be implemented. The well-known advantages of using computers for many business applications apply equally to project management. Computer systems allow reports to be generated that are up-to-date, very detailed, but edited so that they are specific to the people or departments to which they are addressed for action. A computer makes it possible to schedule a programme of many projects together, in one combined multi-project calculation. During the course of a project, computers can make comparisons between planned and actual costs and carry out earned-value calculations. The general education programme also needs to convey to all key project staff the role that they must play in helping to make the computer system work effectively. Resource data must be entered if the computer is going to carry out resource scheduling or produce cost reports based on the cost rates of resources.
