MS Project via Parallels on M1 Pro/Max

[surferfb]

Is anyone running MS Project via Parallels on M1 Macs? I know about having to use the Windows 11 Insider Preview version for ARM, but just wondering if anyone is doing this successfully before I plop down a boatload of cash for a Pro vs. getting an Air and using bootcamp on my existing Intel Mac as I'd much, much, much prefer to keep everything on one machine.

 

[michalm]

Now I'm not exactly going to answer your question, but I deal a lot with PMs and PGMs across the projects I work on, so Project is daily part of my routine. I'm not a PM myself though.

What I've found out is that the web version covers everything I need to do easily. Funnily enough, I use Visio and I'm able to do all I need with that too...

Again, very workflow dependant thing...

 

[surferfb]

Unfortunately Project on the web doesn't handle some of the reports, etc. I need to run, but it's where my head first went too.

 

[robco74]

If you can use alternatives Project, or Visio, OmniGroup has all of their apps running natively. I haven't used OminPlan, but OmniGraffle seems to work OK.

 

[surferfb]

Unfortunately not, clients require MS project. At this point I may bite the bullet and see if I can get it working on a new machine, and if not use boot camp on my existing 2016 Intel MBP, which will improve performance over using Parallels.

 

[jimm1]

Yes - no issue
I am running Parallels v17 and Win11 VM and project professional 2019 version 2111 on MacBook Pro 13 M1

 

[zehcnassurfero]

Yes - no issue
I am running Parallels v17 and Win11 VM and project professional 2019 version 2111 on MacBook Pro 13 M1

View attachment 1937432

Which programs do you run on parallels? Did you have any problem with one of them? I am studying mechanical engineering and I want to buy one of the new MBP, so it’s important for me to know if it works well

 

[jimm1]

Which programs do you run on parallels? Did you have any problem with one of them? I am studying mechanical engineering and I want to buy one of the new MBP, so it’s important for me to know if it works well

Full office 365 suite, Visio professional 2019, FreeCAD 0.20 (and project professional 2019 of course as mentioned).

If considering FreeCAD (more modelling than CAD) then the 0.2 install is stuffed up - nothing to do with the hosting VM - install 0.19 THEN install 0.20 over the top as 0.20 does not include some of the files that are required to run (that ARE included the the 0.19 install).

For pure 2D CAD however I use OSX M1 native QCAD pro - for my "2D only" purposes this is better to use as it is mostly an AutoCAD lite lookalike and will read/write DWG files.

ps if considering running VM consider 16GB RAM not the default 8GB.

 

[pi=e=3]

Which programs do you run on parallels? Did you have any problem with one of them? I am studying mechanical engineering and I want to buy one of the new MBP, so it’s important for me to know if it works well

For Engineering you should be fine. I am a geotechnical eng, I use Parallels for Slope/W, S-Frame, Civil3D, etc.

There is also a MacOS native version of MATLAB, much to my rejoice.

 

[dgdosen]

I've run Access (x86 version) on Parallels on an M1 Mac. If Access works, Project will work as the key will be - X86 apps running on Arm windows...

My advice to you and your clients: You're hurting yourself by project planning using anything "push"-based (Waterfall/Gant). You'd be much better off moving to something "pull"-based (Kanban). Start with asking why.

MS Project is a perfect example of how not to manage a project. Project Server even more so.

 

[jlc1978]

My advice to you and your clients: You're hurting yourself by project planning using anything "push"-based (Waterfall/Gant). You'd be much better off moving to something "pull"-based (Kanban). Start with asking why.

I’m curious. What are your reasons for saying that?

 

[dgdosen]

I’m curious. What are your reasons for saying that?

I've managed projects? Both ways.

Read up on topics like systems thinking, lean and flow. Here's a good intro: https://www.amazon.com/This-Lean-Resolving-Efficiency-Paradox-ebook/dp/B00JZZS7Q0

 

[Conutz]

I've managed projects? Both ways.

Read up on topics like systems thinking, lean and flow. Here's a good intro: https://www.amazon.com/This-Lean-Resolving-Efficiency-Paradox-ebook/dp/B00JZZS7Q0

Thanks for sharing!

 

[jlc1978]

I've managed projects? Both ways.

Read up on topics like systems thinking, lean and flow. Here's a good intro: https://www.amazon.com/This-Lean-Resolving-Efficiency-Paradox-ebook/dp/B00JZZS7Q0

Thanks. ior me, it comes down to pull vs. push and when each is appropriate. Some projects and manufacturing work well with pull, others not so well. Pull is great in response to demand at the end or when setting up a bucket brigade style production line.

In my experience you wind up doing a combination of both. For example, a project with many different work streams, some of the dependent on each other’s and others not can be effectively scheduled in a project format to identify conflicts, resourcing requirements, etc.

 

[dgdosen]

Thanks. ior me, it comes down to pull vs. push and when each is appropriate. Some projects and manufacturing work well with pull, others not so well. Pull is great in response to demand at the end or when setting up a bucket brigade style production line.

In my experience you wind up doing a combination of both. For example, a project with many different work streams, some of the dependent on each other’s and others not can be effectively scheduled in a project format to identify conflicts, resourcing requirements, etc.

I'd "push" back and say anytime someone says "pull is not appropriate for our situation" needs to understand their situation better. Your last paragraph could be a testimonial for blockedapp.com (not endorsing anything)

 

[jlc1978]

I'd "push" back and say anytime someone says "pull is not appropriate for our situation" needs to understand their situation better. Your last paragraph could be a testimonial for blockedapp.com (not endorsing anything)

Interesting reads but they seem to focus on manufacturing or programming where you are trying to meet a demand and minimize WIP. Not all projects are like that.

Even if you have a hammer everything isn’t a nail.

For me, the key is choosing the right tool for the job, not picking whatever is the buzzword of the moment.

 

[dgdosen]

Interesting reads but they seem to focus on manufacturing or programming where you are trying to meet a demand and minimize WIP. Not all projects are like that.

Even if you have a hammer everything isn’t a nail.

For me, the key is choosing the right tool for the job, not picking whatever is the buzzword of the moment.

I agree! Every 'system' that makes things is unique. And there are different ways to improve the flow of any system. Nobody wants a hammer or buzz words. I hope you'd agree that Project and Gantt Charts aren't a hammer as well

 

[jlc1978]

I agree! Every 'system' that makes things is unique. And there are different ways to improve the flow of any system. Nobody wants a hammer or buzz words. I hope you'd agree that Project and Gantt Charts aren't a hammer as well

Certainly, they aren’t the be all and end all either. They have their place as one tool that can be useful in project management, but other tools may be more appropriate as well.

The challenge is to pick the right tool and not be so enamored of one that you try to force its use in situations where another may be more appropriate.

My POV is that often people see tools as an either - or; when in fact they are compatible and often useful in combination depending on the situation.

 

[alphaswift]

I've run Access (x86 version) on Parallels on an M1 Mac. If Access works, Project will work as the key will be - X86 apps running on Arm windows...

My advice to you and your clients: You're hurting yourself by project planning using anything "push"-based (Waterfall/Gant). You'd be much better off moving to something "pull"-based (Kanban). Start with asking why.

MS Project is a perfect example of how not to manage a project. Project Server even more so.

Sigh. Some clients just require Project @ Server.

 

[Alex Cai]

just to help, people who wants to save a few bucks on parallels can try this GitHub app called PDrunner.

GitHub - utsanjan/PD.Runner: PD Runner is an unlimited trial launcher to run Parallels Desktop on your macOS

PD Runner is an unlimited trial launcher to run Parallels Desktop on your macOS - utsanjan/PD.Runner

github.com

To use it, download the free trial of parallel on the official website and download windows. When the free trial is almost over, over this PDrunner and you use parallel forever.

 

[alphaswift]

Yes - no issue
I am running Parallels v17 and Win11 VM and project professional 2019 version 2111 on MacBook Pro 13 M1

View attachment 1937432

Is this an ARM version of Project or regular old x86/x64 binary version that can run in ARM?

 

[spiderman0616]

I've run Access (x86 version) on Parallels on an M1 Mac. If Access works, Project will work as the key will be - X86 apps running on Arm windows...

My advice to you and your clients: You're hurting yourself by project planning using anything "push"-based (Waterfall/Gant). You'd be much better off moving to something "pull"-based (Kanban). Start with asking why.

MS Project is a perfect example of how not to manage a project. Project Server even more so

Nonsense. No blanket statement like this applies to every single project.