I want to set up a simple project forecasting tool to allow project managers to give basic forecast information for the projects that they manage which i will ultimately pull into PBI and analyse against actual performance. I could use Excel for this but I would like to venture out into SharePoint Lists, Datavaerse,Power Apps or any combo of these.
Requirement:
Every month project managers would provide Revenue, Cost, GM and comments for projects they manage
The managers will have to use a project number dropdown to assign the info to the correct project number. The ultimate source for this dropdown will be a SQL database, I already have Views in Sage set-up for this so it’s just a case of importing this data in.
I don’t need any approval workflows
Columns Required:
Date - month end date
Project Number - dropdown linked to SQL View
Revenue - manual entry numerical value
Costs - manual entry numerical value
Gross Margin - manual entry or system calc
Gross Margin % - manual entry or system calc
Comments - manual entry text
I can’t decide whether i should just do this via a SharePoint list (can you import a choice column from SQL?) or whether i should create a small basic power app and use either SharePoint List or Dataverse to store the data.
Any recommendations or pointers would be grateful!
Based on your requirements, a combination of Power Apps and SharePoint Lists or Dataverse could be a suitable solution. Here’s a comparison of the two options:
Power Apps with SharePoint Lists:
Easier to set up and manage.
Lower cost compared to using Dataverse.
Can import a choice column from SQL using Power Query in Power BI or using a custom API connection in Power Apps (though it might be a bit more complex than using Dataverse).
Suitable for small to medium-sized datasets.
Power Apps with Dataverse:
More robust and scalable, suitable for larger datasets and more complex applications.
Better integration with other Microsoft services like Power Automate and Azure Functions.
Direct querying of SQL data sources is more straightforward.
Higher cost compared to using SharePoint Lists.
Given that your requirements seem relatively simple, using Power Apps with SharePoint Lists could be a good starting point. If you find that you need more advanced features or better integration with other services, you can consider migrating to Dataverse later on.
I just had to share my excitement about a recent project I’ve been working on using Power BI. I call it my “Power BI Project Forecast Tool.”
This tool has been an absolute game-changer for me and my team. It allows us to create accurate project forecasts, which has drastically improved our decision-making process. Here’s how it works:
Data Integration: We bring together data from various sources, including financials, resources, and timelines.
Visual Dashboards: Power BI’s stunning visuals make it easy to track progress, costs, and resource allocation in real-time.
Predictive Analysis: Thanks to Power BI’s robust analytics, we can now predict project outcomes with confidence.
Collaboration: We’ve shared our dashboards with the team, promoting transparency and collaboration.
Time Savings: The tool has reduced hours of manual data processing to mere minutes.
Improved Outcomes: With better insights, we’re achieving our project goals faster and with fewer hiccups.
I can’t stress enough how this has transformed our project management. If you’re not already using Power BI for forecasting, I highly recommend giving it a shot. It’s been a true game-changer for us!
What’s your experience with Power BI? Do you have any other tips or insights to share? Let’s chat!
