What Is ItMakesSense

ItMakesSense is an advanced MS Project and Excel Add-in that significantly enhances routine scheduling and Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS) tasks. Designed for MS Office versions 2010 and higher, it is fully compatible with both Master/Subprojects (Server or Online) and standalone projects.

A prominent feature of this tool is its ability to seamlessly export, modify and import Deltek Cobra©, MS Project and MS Excel estimates (Baseline and EAC) to Deltek Cobra©. It generates precise, time-phased workbooks that include changes to Hours, Cost, and Full-Time Equivalents prior to loading, effectively minimizing the need for repetitive iterations that are common in traditional processes.

Furthermore, ItMakesSense provides powerful task tracing capabilities, comprehensive navigation, and organized sorting features within the MS Project Add-in. While certain advanced functionalities, such as 14pt, DECM, and QBD, may be used less frequently, they are instrumental in ensuring robust scheduling practices. The initial setup consultation is offered at no cost, as is access to the Add-in. Elevate your project management practices with ItMakesSense.

Critical Path

Constraint, Longest Path and Brute Force methods and an option to run the Deadline/Constraint method with one click

Learn more »

DECM

(Formerly EVAS) Run several of the DECM checks with an option to check Cost-Schedule Integration with Cobra

Learn more »

Clipboard Filter

Copy UIDs from any app and Clipboard filter will display them in Project

Learn more »

Health Checks

Quickly check your schedule to make sure it is compliant with industry standards

Learn more »

Resource Analysis

Export your resource data into Excel quicker than ever. Load custom rates for cost comparisons.

Learn more »

Status

Export Status Sheets with Conditional Formatting that informs users of what must be updated

Learn more »

Comparisons

Quickly compare MS Project data between two time periods

Learn more »

Proposals / Cost

Create Rate Files that allow you to buildup cost vs. using Projects Wrap Rates

Learn more »

QBD

Manage Quantifiable Backup Data in MS Project for subtasks that don't make sense to apply traditional schedule logic

Learn more »

Task Tracing

Path Tracker and Classic Trace helps you easily and visually trace task dependencies throughout the schedule

Learn more »

EV Light / Integration

Easily export your MS Project schedule to the most popular EV Tools and produce EV drill-downs before import

Learn more »

Change Control

Managing baseline changes is difficult. Using Excel was cumbersome until now.

Learn more »

MS Pro Export

Five second Summary Schedule and multiple path export to MS Pro

Learn more »

Risk

In Test

More info coming soon

YOU HAVE QUESTIONS?

Why Use ItMakesSense?

ItMakesSense does not create an Integrated Master Schedule but it will help you build a better one. It is intended to make MS Project easier for Planners, Control Account Managers, and Program Managers. More specifically, those who work in large Master Schedules. ITMakesSense was also designed to be the middle-ware between your schedule and the other systems that depend on the data.

Is this really free?

The MS Project and Excel Add-in are 100% free. We also offer the initial field setup for free. We just ask for you to provide feedback so we can continuously improve your experience.

ItMakesSense works with any version of MS Project higher than 2010, including MS Project Server and Project Online

Download Now »

My ultimate goal is to make this tool work for you

Every company has a different way to create a plan. Despite any attempt to make a one size fits all solution it's nearly impossible to do. I can't guarantee that all of the features in this tool will work for you. However, what I can guarantee is that I can make it work for you. Contact Us to find out how.

1.0.9.0011 released

Field Selector changed to be more intuitive. Visit Field Selector for more information. Also, added Cobra One File Export to the MS Project Add-in that can take the place of the Activity and Resource File Exports.

1.0.9.0010 released

Cobra activity file updated to the correct Min and Max of Dates for work package summaries

1.0.9.0009 released

Updated Excel Add-in to reflect the correct wrap rate for Non-Labor when creating a rate file from Cobra data. Also, updated MS project Add-in rate calculation for similar issue. New Code Signing Certificate also utilized due to old cert. end of life.

1.0.9.0007 released

Misc. bug fixes (Eliminate possible use of Date Text Fields, Elapsed Days Driving Slack Calc, Err. connecting Excel to Project, and no resources in 14pt). Also, added detail on 14Pt stating whether Summaries and/or Milestones were included in the list.

1.0.9.0006 released

Milestone Pro Export Export any and all paths to Milestone Pro within seconds. Summary Schedules can also be exported. See the bottom of the Critical/Driving Path page for more information.

1.0.9.0005 released

Settings files are now .txt (not .csv) A user reported that occasionally they would open the .csv in Excel and save. This corrupts the file and cannot be imported. Settings can now be imported and exported as .txt files. Simply export a new settings file or change the extension of you old settings file's to .txt.

Settings error report Each setting error would be reported if there was an issue with the settings file. Now, the number of errors and the first error is the only thing reported.

Excel Add-in Default to HOURS option There is now an option to default to HOURS vs. CURRENCY and not export rates when exporting BCR/ECR templates.

Excel Add-in automatic calendar consolidation Each period in the calendar used to be exported to BCR/ECR templates. Now, the function attempts to find the minimum date in the data and start the calendar in the ECR/BCR template as the minimum date minus 2 months.

Deadline Method Critical Path The Deadline Method Critical Path now checks for only tasks that total slack is changed by putting a deadline in the past. This speeds up the process and prevents driving paths from getting miscellaneous other paths in the output.



Product Comparison

This Add-in Other MS Project Add-in's
It Makes Sense SSI Tools ForProject OPDEC Steelray
-----
$0
-----
$950+
$80/year*
$400
$150-
$708
FreeXML*
$1500
  Digitally Signed Application and SSL Website
Digitally Signed Application and SSL Website
Critical Path Capability
Critical Path Capability
  Status Capability
Status Capability
  Cost-Schedule Integration Capability
Cost-Schedule Integration Capability
  Rate Buildup Capability
Rate Buildup Capability
  Custom Accounting Calendar
Custom Accounting Calendar
  Comprehensive List of Schedule Related DECM Checks
Comprehensive List of Schedule Related DECM Checks
  14 Point health check
14 Point health check
  Project Server and Online support
Project Server and Online support
  Custom Color Code of Multiple Paths within MS Project
Custom Color Code of Multiple Paths within MS Project
  Longest Path Capability even with Multiple Task Calendars, Elapsed Days, and/or Constraints in Path
Longest Path Capability even with Multiple Task Calendars, Elapsed Days, and/or Constraints in Path
  Single Click Critical Path Capability With No Setup Required
Single Click Critical Path Capability With No Setup Required
  Generates UN/CEFACT XML File
Generates Format 6 UN/CEFACT XML File X (See Steelray for free version) Free
  Risk Capability
Risk Capability In Alpha Test Phase
  Flag tasks that break EV thresholds in order to determine updates. (DCMA requirement to use metrics to drive ETC updates)
Flag tasks that break EV thresholds in order to determine updates. (DCMA requirement to use metrics to drive ETC updates)
  Quantifiable Backup Data (QBD) Capability Integrated within MS Project
Quantifiable Backup Data (QBD) Capability Integrated within MS Project
  Custom Curves
Custom Curves
  Optional Resource Loading Without Assignments
Optional Resource Loading Without Assignments
  Capability to create Baseline/ETC-EAC Change Templates in MS Excel from Cobra Data
Capability to create Baseline/ETC-EAC Change Templates in MS Excel from Cobra Data
  Multiple .mpp Schedule Comparisons including Resource Assignments
Multiple .mpp Schedule Comparisons including Resources
  Bookmarks
Bookmarks
  Show All
Show All
  Show Tasks in MS Project from any other Applications
Show Tasks in MS Project from any other Applications ✔ With Clipboard Filter
  Generate Cobra Activity/Status and Resource Files
Generate Cobra Activity/Status and Resource Files
  Task Tracing
Task Tracing
  Transferable Configuration Files
Transferable Configuration Files
  Client Specific Add-in Customization
Client Specific Add-in Customization ✔ Client ID Customization
  User defined Health checks
User defined Health checks Customization by Client
VBA Macro Free
VBA Macro Free
Includes Support/Maintenance
Includes Support/Maintenance 1st Year Free Unknown Unknown
SPA, BEI, CEI, Earned Schedule Reporting
SPA, BEI, CEI, Earned Schedule Reporting
Make PowerPoint Presentation from Selected Tasks in the Schedule
Make PowerPoint Presentation from Selected Tasks in the Schedule Adds $250
Supports Multi-project Planning using External Dependencies
Supports Multi-project Planning using External Dependencies
Earned Value Reporting Capability
Earned Value Reporting Capability
Available on GSA Schedule 70
Available on GSA Schedule 70
Custom Earned Value Drill-down analysis
Custom Earned Value Drill-down analysis