Introducing Oracle Primavera P6 16.2

Oracle has released the second version of Primavera P6 for 2016 – P6 16.2. Primavera P6 is widely considered the industry standard software for large, capital intensive project planning. New features and enhancements to the P6 software can often lead to improved project performance; so the latest releases are received and reviewed with great anticipation.

A major development initiative of the latest release is the continued trend we saw in P6 15.2 and 16.1 of removing Java-based applets from the application in favour of better performing HTML5 pages. Unfortunately for P6 Professional users, the majority of improvements are related to the web-based Primavera P6 EPPM version of the software or the mobile application. However, some overall performance enhancements have been made to the P6 Professional client.

The P6 experts at Prescience Technology road tested the new system to assess the new features and enhanced functionality of P6 16.2. In this article, we have comprehensively reviewed and ranked the best new features.

 Java Applet Removal

 Feature Description

Primavera P6 16.2 continues the process of removing Java-based applets from the application in exchange for pages written in HTML5.

The HTML5-based pages are collectively referred to as the ‘Standard View’. The old Java-based pages are called the ‘Classic View’.

The following pages are updated in P6 16.2:

  • Administration Section including:
  • Enterprise Data
  • User Access
  • Service Status/Reports
  • Dashboard Section including:
  • Timesheet Approvals
  • Gantt Chart Portlet
  • Filter By

 Why is it an improvement?

These pages load faster and do not require additional plug-ins, thus eliminating Java performance and update issues, backward incompatibility and security issues. Users can expect a much more responsive experience from these pages and IT departments can expect far fewer support calls with Java related issues eliminated in the Standard View.

 Java Applet Removal

Increased Functionality in the EPS Page Standard View

 Feature Description

Oracle has added the following new functional features to the EPS Page Standard View (HTML5 based). Up until now, these features have only been available in the Classic View (Java-based).

  • Ability to Cut, Copy and Paste Projects
  • Use the Fill Down function in Data Columns
  • Update Baselines
  • Import and export projects in Primavera or Microsoft XML format
  • Export to UN/CEFACT format
  • Ability within the grouping options to hide a Group if Empty
  • Move WBS elements up/down within structure
  • Create filters with nested conditions and rolling dates
  • Import from, and export to, Microsoft Excel
  • Customize detail windows displayed for both EPS nodes and Projects
  • The Details Pane includes additional tabs:
  • EPS Details: Budget Log
  • Project Details: Budget Log & Issues

Note: The EPS page “Standard View” is enabled by default in P6 16.2.

 Why is it an improvement?

With the ongoing migration from Java based pages to HTML5 based pages, these additional features are essential for planners to be able to perform advanced scheduling functions from the Standard View and decrease reliance on the Java based Classic View as it is phased out.

 View Team Usage on a Daily Level 

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