FastTrack Schedule 10 Review

Like the previous version of FastTrack Schedule, FastTrack Schedule 10 is easy to install and to set up. To install the program, load the CD-Rom into your drive, and the install file will prompt you through the rest of your setup. Alternatively, you can download the program from the website. If you are using the full, not free trial version, you will need to enter your license key into the proper box when prompted.

Setting up your FastTrack schedule can be done three ways: You can create a schedule from scratch, you can open a schedule, but, the easiest way to get going is to open a template. FastTrack also features templates and examples for creating your project schedule. Templates and examples include:

• Marketing research
• Construction - Days
• To-Do List with Auto Status
• Architect
• College Schedule
• Education Publications
• Film Production
• and more

The really great thing about FastTrack Schedule 10's templates is the ability to keep just the information you need from the template. You can choose to load the template with everything included, certain fields included, or none of the fields included. This saves you from having to delete information that you don't need.

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Here's a list of other great features found in FastTrack Schedule 10:

• Three view options: Schedule, Calendar, and Resource
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  Add new rows and create sub-outline levels easily with a few clicks of your mouse
• Drag and drop bars or manually enter the number of days associated with an activity
• Easily assign resources and generate cost based upon resource information
• View whether a resource is overallocated - overallocations are designated in red. You can remove this overallocation easily either through backloading or through custom controls
• The resource information form allows you to view images, track contact information and rates
• Track a multitude of base calendars and resource calendars associated with your project
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  Inspect work usage in the schedule view for resources assigned to tasks.
• Schedule using effort-driven scheduling or using fixed-duration scheduling (you can customize to each task)
• Track progress by viewing the percentage of tasks complete, what tasks have taken longer to complete than others, and viewing tasks that haven't been started - you can see how these things affect your schedule.
• Compatibility with MS Project and MindJet's Mind Manager
• The ability to create presentations from the program

While FastTrack Schedule 10 is an awesome program, and it is significantly less than MS Project, it is still hefty as far as price goes. At $349 ($179 for the upgrade version), for a single user, the program can be a bit steep for many budgets. However, it is important to remember, that for a company that needs project management capabilities and uses project management software option, it is a great investment (especially considering that many comparable programs are more expensive per user license).

One thing that's outstanding about FastTrack Schedule 10 is the level of customer support available for the program. You will find video tutorials, webinars, documentation, a knowledge database, email support, web support, and phone support, as well as premium support options.