...I presented a simple chart.....one guy wants a shadowed, exploded pie chart!
Well, then... You're dealing with some people who - Well, don't understand. There is "reasonable" and there is "unreasonable". I'd ask the person what the content of the pie chart should be - "Shadowed and exploded" is a request for "art work". I do see that in data analysis with programs such as SAS, but that's data analysis software.
I like MS Project a lot, but I'm on a Mac so... I have an old version which isn't compatible with the newer versions. A PITA, but I did like it.
The biggest question is, what software will your company allow, if any (assuming it's a company computer), not to mention the cost. In my case, I always have my personal laptop so... It's just a matter of printouts. No biggie.
Project planning software is worth it's weight in gold, if you ask me - But, I have done some projects in large companies which only have a license for Office so it's Excel so that you can communicate between a lot of people. MS Project is a "per seat" charge, if I remember correctly, so not many companies will spring for the cost.
Add: I would ask for an example of what their expectations are, such as what another supplier is giving them that they are satisfied with.
