Project Management Software and how it Works

This convenient software is especially designed to

make life easier for people who dealing with large
projects. However, there is not just one type of
software. Project management software is actually a
term for many different types of software. These
may include resource allocation, scheduling and
collaboration software. Each piece of software is
designed to make dealing with large, complex
projects an easier and more efficient task.

There are a number of tasks that this useful software

can help with and these include:

* Scheduling
Scheduling various events in a project is one of the
most common tasks people perform. The most
common tasks people use this type of software for
include arranging tasks to meet a deadline, dealing
with any problems that may occur in the estimates of
each task and dealing with different projects at one
time.

* Providing Information
All software relays information to various people as
a justification of the amount of time that is spent
using it. These tasks include providing staff with lists
of the tasks that they need to complete, some
information on how long the tasks should take to
complete and further information with respect to the
workload – holidays bookings etc. Information is also
provided on how recent projects have been
completed and the competence of those completing
it.

The Key Elements of Project Management

Software
A good management software has a number of uses
not least of these is the ability to help staff to handle
large projects efficiently and successfully. The
software works in such a way that the task is often
completed more thoroughly than that completed by
people without the software. It will tell you what
needs to be done and when it needs to be done, as
well as exactly how long it should take. All
businesses looking to increase their operating
efficiency should have some form of this software.

Many businesses suffer from missed deadlines or

else some important element of the finished project
is missing. With this software, however, it is virtually
impossible to miss deadlines as the software will let
you know what needs to be done and when it needs
to be done. This means that you know exactly what
stage you are at in a project and this can be
potentially invaluable when it comes to client
retention.

The software enables you to schedule tasks more

effectively, making sure that important tasks are
completed first, and only then moving on to those of
lesser importance.

This type of software is readily available online. You

will find a huge selection and you can surf to your
heart’s content in order to get the best deals, too.
This software is an essential tool for all businesses
that handle large projects on a regular basis.

Summary:
Project Management Software is an essential tool
for all businesses involved with large projects. It
helps set deadlines for certain tasks, schedules
them and informs those involved with the project
what they should be doing. It is more efficient than
other systems, or relying on memory and it therefore
picks up on things that might otherwise have been
missed.

Project management software – Essential Guide

Arif Mohamed 
Monday 13 July 2009 15:00

There are literally dozens of good project management software applications out there , with Microsoft
Project being one of the most popular mid-range project management packages , and the likes
of Primavera being popular at the higher end. Free and open source project tools are also available to
download or use via a web browser.

What does project management software do?

At the most basic level, project management products will help your organisation to manage projects
from start to finish, and allow employees at different levels to have an input into the process .

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Project management software has been around for a number of years now and as a result, it
does far more than just manage the projects themselves .

Project applications can also carry out scheduling, cost control and budget management, resource
allocation, collaboration, communication,quality management and documentation or administration .

The aim with these is to handle all aspects and complexities of larger projects and help keep costs down.

What do businesses tend to use project management software for?

Projects can be complex and dependent on many different factors, departments, and outcomes.

As such, project software can help to determine which events depend on one another, how exactly they
depend on each other, and what happens if things change or go wrong.

In addition, they can schedule people to work on various tasks, and detail the resources – physical,
financial or anything else - that are required, and this is called resource scheduling.

People also use project management software to deal with uncertainties in the estimates of the
duration of each task; arrange tasks to meet various deadlines; and juggle multiple projects
simultaneously, as part of an overall objective.

Types of Project Management Software: Desktop

There are different ways in which project management software is made available by vendors and
service providers.

Firstly, organisations can buy it as a desktop package, and this typically gives the most responsive and
graphically-intense style of interface.

Desktop project management applications typically store their data in a file, although some have the
ability to collaborate with other users, or to store their data in a central database.
Multiple users can share file-based project plans or data held on a database, if only one user accesses it
at a time.

Types of Project Management Software: Client Server

Server-based collaborative project management applications are also available. These are designed to
support multiple users who are working on different parts of a project.

Server-based project management systems hold data centrally and can also incorporate collaboration
tools so that users can share knowledge and expertise.

Types of Project Management Software: Web-based

Project management software can be implemented as a web application. This is accessed through an
intranet or extranet, or the internet itself, using a web browser.

Benefits of web-based project management applications include the fact that they can be accessed from
any type of computer without installing software.

The software is also automatically updated and maintained by the service provider, and the nature of
the system makes it naturally multi-user.

Also, web-based software tends to come with a monthly charge which is cheaper than buying and
maintaining the application yourself.

However, web-based project software tends to be slower to respond than desktop applications, and
project information is not available when the user is offline.

Types of Project Management Software: Integrated

An integrated system combines project management or project planning, with many other aspects of

company activities.

For example, projects can have bug tracking issues assigned to each project; or the list of project
customers can become a customer relationship management module, with each person on the project
plan having their own task lists, calendars, and messaging functionality associated with their projects.

Five Popular Project Management Applications

1. Microsoft Project  
Microsoft Project is one of the more popular packages and it now offers a web interface and
deep Office, Outlook and Sharepoint integration.

2. Matchware MindView
MindView has an easy-to-use spreadsheet-like layout, and its mind map option lets you see your
project in visuals, reminiscent of brainstorming bubbles.
 3. Project Kickstart
Project KickStart is an easy-to-use project management package that integrates with other
applications like PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel, Word, Microsoft Project, and ACT!.

4. RationalPlan Multi Project
RationalPlan Multi Project has features to manage resources and budgets as well as multiple
projects. It has an interactive Gantt chart, normally available only in higher-end suites.

5. Basecamp
Basecamp is a low-cost web-based project management and collaboration package which is
gaining momentum.

onstruction Project Management

With Risky Project
You have created a detailed and well thought out project schedule of a construction
project. But then something happens:

 Contractor could not complete his work on time

 Necessary components did not arrive

 Budgetary problems has occurred

 The client has made new requests

 … and many more

Construction Project Management Case Study

What does your construction project schedule really look like if you take into account
all the risks and uncertainties that surround it?  

Construction Risk Management Workflow

RiskyProject Professional: 
1. Create project schedule of the construction project or import it from Microsoft
Project, Primavera, FastTrack, or other project management software. Comprehensive construction project
2. Create a detailed list of risks and uncertainties and assign risks to the project management with risks and
task, resources and costs. uncertainties
3. Calculate new more realistic project.
4. Determine:

A realistic duration for your project

What the project will cost with all potential risk mitigation efforts

What are the crucial tasks – tasks that have the most amount of risk.

What are the critical risks – risks that can have the most affect on your
project and need to be mitigated first
 What is the chance that project will be completed on time and within budget US $899

5. Track your accruals: forecast future project performance based on your actual Buy Now
data about activities and risk RiskyProject Tutorial
6. Report your results RiskyProject Documentation

RiskyProject Main Features

 Powerful Scheduling Engine - RiskyProject has its own scheduling

system. You define tasks, dependencies, constraints, resources, and costs. 
 Interface with other Project Management Software – Microsoft Project,
Primavera, MindManager, Project KickStart, FastTrack, and others
 Define different risks -at the project level and for each separate task or
resource. You also can define ranges for task duration, cost, start and finish
times. This information together with project schedule is used in the
quantitative risk analysis. 
 Risk-aware Gantt Chart – Uncertainties in task duration, start and finish
times are shown graphically in a special Gantt Chart. 
 Project Risk Dashboard 3x3 - An easy way to view results of risk analysis:
three main project parameters (cost, duration, finish time) with and without
risk; three most crucial tasks, three most critical risks. 
 Tracking Project - You enter the percentage of the task done on the
particular date. RiskyProject then calculates the projected task duration and
updates the risk profile of the task. 
 Deadlines - RiskyProject Lite allows you to define task or project deadlines
and assign different actions to them: cancel task, cancel project, etc.