Deltek Open Plan 8.0 has just been released and users will notice that the version number has jumped from 3.5 to 8.0. In a somewhat similar move to Oracle will notice that the version number has jumped from 3.5 to 8.0. In a somewhat similar move to Oracle last year, Deltek is looking to align the version numbers across it’s entire project and portfolio management tool suite. This means that Deltek Acumen, Open Plan, Cobra, PM Compass, and wInsight Analytics will all move to version 8.0 this year. This move helps to better align the products within the suite and make it easier for customers to identify compatibility issues across the product range.
New Open Plan Features and Enhancements
Deltek Open Plan 8.0 Ribbon Menus
Something we mentioned in an earlier blog for Cobra users to expect in 2016, are new ribbon menus. These ribbon menus contain tabs that contain commands you need for easier access to Open Plan functionality. The commands that are displayed depend on the view that you are currently in. The views and the Open Plan Explorer are presented in tabs, which provide an easier way for you to navigate your way around Open Plan.
Open Plan Ribbon Menus
Sorts, Filters, and Views Favorites
A welcome feature is the improved Sorts, Filters, and Views Favorites. You can now designate previously applied sorts, filters, and views as favorites. The favorite sorts and filters are added to a separate favorites list. The favorite sorts and filters lists are easily accessible from the Edit tab » Filters group and Edit tab » Sorts groups.
You can also manage your favorites list using the Organize Favorites dialog box.
Open Plan Organize Favorites Dialog Box
Shared Mode Locking
When in Shared mode, you can now apply a temporary exclusive lock on a project to perform processes such as Time Analysis, Resource Scheduling, Risk Analysis, Cost Calculations, and Progress Calculations and save changes. Previously you would have to get other users to exit shared mode.
A new security option has been added to control which groups of users can acquire temporary shared mode locks.
Open Plan Shared Mode Locking
Added Replace Feature
The Find functionality has been enhanced, and Replace functionality has been added in Deltek Open Plan 8.0. The Find and Replace dialog box is now non-modal. This means that you are able to work elsewhere in Open Plan while this dialog box is open, floating on top of the view you are in. When several views are open, the dialog box will apply and communicate with the view that has focus, provided that the view has Find and Replace functionality. Views that have this functionality include:
- Spreadsheets
- Barcharts
- Multi-table spreadsheets and barcharts
- TornadoNetwork
Tool Tip Descriptions For Conditional Formatting Rules
Users are now able to create explanatory hover text messages in spreadsheets, barcharts, and network views. This feature allows you to explain why a certain row or activity box has specific formatting (such as font, text color, background color, etc.) and what conditions or rules are set for the formatting to be applied. This rather useful feature may be set in the following locations:
- In Spreadsheets and spreadsheets in Barcharts
View tab » Conditional Formatting
Right click the spreadsheet and select Conditional Formatting - In Barchart views
View tab » Bar Sets. After selecting a bar set, click New, Copy, or Edit in the Bar Sets dialog box - In the Network View
Right-click within the view, and select Conditional Formatting
Click View tab » select Conditional Formatting.
A new column called Show This Explanation has been added to the Bar Sets Preferences and Conditional Formatting dialog boxes. A new option has also been added to the dialog boxes called Display Explanation When Hovering over Applied Rule(s). The explanatory hover text is shown in blue. When this option is disabled, any pre-existing tooltip will be shown.
Activity Details Dialog Box
Open Plan version 8.0 sees the Relationships tab of the Activity Details dialog box replaced by two tabs: Predecessors and Successors tabs to display more information and simplify the management of relationships.
Baseline Management
Open Plan 8.0 sports a new option added to the Baselines dialog box, called Clear baseline data when No Baseline is selected. This option allows you to clear activity baseline data when you select < No Baseline >. The option is enabled only when you have “< No Baseline >” selected.
Open Plan Baselines Dialog Box
Summary
There are a myriad of other improvements in Deltek Open Plan 8.0 that help improve a users workflow and make life a lot easier. Deltek Open Plan 8.0 is a great release packed with many features and improvements requested by customers. There will be many users clamoring to upgrade to version 8.0 as soon as possible and they won’t be disappointed.