subject: Assessing Project Manager Software And Selecting The Best Fit [print this page] Experienced project managers understand the importance of project management software and just how helpful it can be. Yet for those who havent determined the best programs to use or who dont have their favorites, it can be daunting to select among the wide variety and range of PM programs available, for everything from planning to scheduling to billing. So where should a project manager to begin, and what types of programs are most useful?
A project manager should first define his or her needs for the project to see what might be appropriate. Whats the size of the team and the scope and duration of the project? Answering these questions first can at least help you define a bit more closely what you should be looking for. Then its always helpful to start with the basics, such as software that helps you lay out a workplan for a project, software such as Microsoft Project. This isnt the only software out there by any means, but its one option to look at.
Tracking software like this is invaluable when it comes to developing a comprehensive workplan for a project, such as a GANTT chart with critical path designations. A GANTT chart is essentially a type of bar chart that illustrates a project schedule. Gantt charts illustrate the start and finish dates of both the terminal as well as summary elements of a project. Gantt charts can also be used to show the dependency relationships between activities. This type of critical path designation makes it clear via the chart that some tasks cannot be started until other ones are finished, so that everyone understands that a delay in one part of the project can lead to a potential roadblock for other tasks.
This software also makes it easy to illustrate whos working on that particular project, who the key decision makers are, what milestones need to be achieved, and when deliverables are due. Much of this can be laid out using a program like Excel, but theres no doubt that its much easier to do with the appropriate project tracking software.
Other software that a project manager generally finds invaluable has to do with easing collaboration and making it a simple matter for project teams to communicate. For example, with many projects document and version control can be an issue, with too many things flying around via email. To handle this process there are programs like Basecamp, which is a web-based project management and collaborate tool, with to-dos, messaging, schedules, and milestones all built in. Again, this isnt the only collaboration program available, but its a good example of whats out there and what every project manager should have in his or her arsenal of project management tools.
