Summary

Project Portfolio Management (PPM) practitioners face numerous challenges—overwhelming data entry, slow reporting, poor visibility into project pipelines, and inefficient resource planning. Costbars Project Pipeline Scheduler, built on the robust foundation of Timebars Resource Scheduler, delivers a modern, intuitive solution to these pain points. Below, we outline how Costbars addresses key PPM problems to streamline your processes, enhance decision-making, and boost productivity. For a comprehensive guide to getting started, see the Introduction to Costbars Product Guide.

Key Points

• Enterprise PPM systems are costly to install and maintain.
• Project Pipeline reporting is difficult and time-consuming.
• The pain of filling in bulky web forms.
• Boring and slow Enterprise Reports.
• Difficult and time-consuming process of creating and sharing reports and charts.
• Updating and forecasting takes too much time, so it never gets done right.
• Personal time loss when storing and referencing baselines for progress reporting and comparison.

Key Problems Solved by Costbars

1. Lengthy Setup and Approval Delays
   Problem: Traditional PPM tools require lengthy approval processes and installation wait times, delaying your ability to manage portfolios effectively.
   Solution: With Costbars, there’s no installation required—simply visit our URL, purchase with a credit card, and start using our cloud-based tools instantly. Get up and running without the red tape. Getting Started

2. Data Security Concerns with External Storage
   Problem: Storing sensitive project and portfolio data outside your organization raises privacy and security risks.
   Solution: Costbars ensures peace of mind by keeping your data within your browser—no proprietary information leaves your control, offering maximum security for your business. Innovations by Timebars Ltd.

3. Time-Consuming Data Entry and Web Forms
   Problem: Entering project pipeline and resource data into bulky web forms is tedious and error-prone, slowing down PPM workflows.
   Solution: Say goodbye to web forms with Costbars’ spreadsheet-based approach. Use our pre-populated templates (Excel and Open Office Calc compatible) to enter data efficiently, syncing seamlessly with Costbars for secure, swift updates. How to Use the Spreadsheet Sync

4. Lack of Visibility into Project Pipelines
   Problem: Without clear visibility into in-flight projects and upcoming pipelines, PPM practitioners struggle to prioritize and make informed go/kill decisions.
   Solution: Costbars provides a comprehensive, one-row-per-project pipeline view, displaying configurable data points like cost, hours, schedule, priority, and risk. Gain instant insights to manage your portfolio effectively. How to Use Costbars

5. Slow, Uninspiring Enterprise Reports
   Problem: Traditional enterprise reporting tools are slow and fail to engage stakeholders, hindering timely decision-making.
   Solution: Costbars offers super-fast built-in reports and an optional Cloud Data Analysis Dashboard via the Pubset feature. Access pre-built graphs, line charts, pie charts, and bubble charts to analyze portfolio performance and share insights effortlessly. Timebars Cloud Dashboard & Publishing Guide

6. Difficulty Creating and Sharing Dashboards
   Problem: Building, updating, and sharing dashboards for portfolio analysis takes too much time, leaving little room for execution.
   Solution: Costbars streamlines this process with its intuitive drag-and-drop interface and cloud publishing capabilities. Configure metadata and publish visualized reports to our secure cloud servers in minutes. Publishing and Cloud Features Guide

7. Resource Demand Forecasting Challenges
   Problem: Balancing resource supply and demand across projects is time-consuming and often neglected, leading to overallocation or underutilization.
   Solution: Costbars’ real-time resource demand tracking links projects via custom templates, allowing you to adjust schedules dynamically and optimize resource allocation as projects shift. How to Use Costbars

8. Inefficient Baseline Storage and Comparison
   Problem: Storing and referencing project baselines for progress reporting and comparison eats into personal time and complicates tracking.
   Solution: Costbars integrates baseline management into its spreadsheet sync and local dashboard analytics, making it easy to store, reference, and compare portfolio progress. Create, Update and Delete Bars & Metadata

9. Outdated, Expensive Tools
   Problem: Legacy tools like Microsoft’s offerings are costly, difficult to use, and lack modern functionality, frustrating PPM practitioners.
   Solution: Costbars provides a cost-effective, user-friendly alternative with a modern interface, built-in analytics, and seamless integration with Timebars—leaving outdated tools behind. Innovations by Timebars Ltd.

10. Complex Portfolio Decision-Making
    Problem: Without strategic insights, deciding which projects to greenlight or terminate feels like guesswork.
    Solution: Costbars’ PPM Planner, built on Timebars’ scheduling engine, integrates strategic drivers and portfolio analytics into a local dashboard, empowering data-driven go/kill decisions. Use the Tabular and Card Reports for Analysis

Why Costbars Stands Out

Costbars Project Pipeline Scheduler takes the power of Timebars Resource Scheduler and elevates it for PPM needs. While Timebars excels at resource planning and scheduling, Costbars extends this foundation with portfolio-level visibility, advanced analytics, and tools tailored to manage project pipelines. Whether you’re combating slow reporting, wrestling with data entry, or seeking better control over resources and priorities, Costbars delivers a unified, modern solution. Transition seamlessly from Timebars with a single license—your data stays intact, and your PPM productivity soars. Introduction to Costbars Product Guide