Deltek has released PM Compass 8.0 and like the other Deltek PPM tools, mildly observant users will notice the jump from version 2.x to 8.0. All of the Deltek PPM tools are moving to version 8.0 this year. One key benefit of this, is that the new version numbering system allows users and administrators to know that their different Deltek PPM tools are compatible with each other. This, of course, makes things a lot simpler going forward.
This latest release of PM Compass has been largely driven by user input and so the enhancements you see are a result of direct customer feedback. Let’s take a look at what’s in PM Compass 8.0.
What’s New in PM Compass
PM Compass 8.0 introduces a bunch of new features and improvements including in the areas of Progressing and Change Management. PM Compass 8.0 now makes it much make it easier to gather and disseminate project information. These include several new reports, including a new Assignment History Report to help identify bottlenecks in users processes.
Assignment History Report
User Interface Improvements
As previously mentioned, the jump to 8.0 brings a consistent user interface, look and feel, icons, etc. This makes using more than one tool in the Deltek PPM suite much easier.
PM Compass 8.0 User Interface
Microsoft Project Server Integration
Users of Microsoft Project Server can now load plans into PM Compass. Users can view dashboards in PM Compass allowing them to view and report on schedule data and how this relates to their role. In addition, schedule and resource traceability reports can be run enabling users to keep a close eye on both cost and schedule.
Microsoft Project Server Integration
What About Non-Earned Value Projects?
This release shows PM Compass extending beyond Earned Value requirements adding features for all project types. PM Compass 8.0 has a new workflow and report called Explanation of Spend Variance, which is focused on money spent versus plan.
Summary
This is a solid release driven almost exclusively by customer feedback. The new user interface is welcome and we also look forward to seeing it in the next release of Deltek Cobra (Deltek Cobra 8.0). It’s also good to see PM Compass broaden beyond Earned Value Management. This results in a product that is much more appealing to a wider user community. Great job Deltek!