Project Management Software

Software is built on a variety of assumptions, and we need to understand what those assumptions are--and work around them in defining how we use the software. With so many options in the marketplace, how do you decide what’s good and what’s not? How do you navigate the promises of software vendors to know what you should be looking for, and how do you decide what will actually work for you?

The cloud is moving in and taking over. What does this mean for the typical project manager? And as importantly, what does this mean for the organization considering moving its projects into the cloud? Clearly there are some benefits, but there are also some potential challenges. In this column, we examine both sides of the issue in an effort to bring some clarity to project management in the cloud.

New board members will join nine returning members to help guide the organization’s growth in the coming year.

Project management tools can improve collaboration, team performanance and bottom-line results, but it doesn't always work out that way. Here are 10 all-too-common mistakes to avoid when implementing an online project management tool, along with some corresponding best practices to get it done the right way.

Assuming we have decent software, the essential strategy for making it work well is deciding how we want to work with it. In this article, we explore the considerations behind what we need to do to develop a good workflow for using software. What are the things we need to think about in using the software? What are the critical steps that actually enable us to define a useful software workflow? And why should we care?

Partnership will deliver enterprise project management solutions to the European marketplace.

It’s time that we face up to a fundamental reality: organizations grapple with making project management work successfully on a consistent basis. Yes, there are exceptions--and some notable ones--but on the whole they simply prove the rule. It's time for a different approach.

New survey finds 80 percent of North American IT departments use Microsoft Project to manage projects, citing minimal training needs and low implementation costs.

A project management office can operate on a continuum, from providing project management support functions in the form of training, software, standardized policies and procedures to actual direct management and responsibility for achieving the project objectives. Here, we look at some of the key responsibilities and features of a typical PMO.

On new development projects, the production stage can be the point of no return. Before it’s too late, a rigorous gating process can help to ensure that development activities, teamwide input and critical stakeholder priorities are all aligned with the overall project vision.

“Best of Breed” project management software finalists include @Task, Clarizen, Instantis, OpenAir, QuickArrow and Tenrox.

Project Management Professionals (PMPs) must earn 60 PDUs every three years to keep their certification. You can earn some of these PDUs by writing project management-related articles. Here's the lowdown.

LiquidPlanner has revised its online project management software, with a focus on app-style planning features and cross-project scheduling and prioritization. This, along with a “social project management” approach, allows for a truly collaborative vibe on project teams.

CollabNet updates its TeamForge platform and ScrumWorks project management application, focusing on scaling agile to the enterprise through flexible reporting, ease of use and other enhancements.

For anyone thinking about or faced with implementing a PPM tool, here are some tips to keep in mind to help you wade through the sometimes problematic process.

Is there any advantage to using Cloud-based project management tools to manage projects? Is it cheaper and more effective? Are the tools more feature-rich? And what about the disadvantages? Here is what some research has revealed…

So you want a career in project management? What will it take to be successful, and what about earning potential? This article will explore the pursuit of a career in project management, including looks at characteristics of successful PMs, what employers are looking for and salaries.

No project management solution, no matter how good, can work effectively if all relevant stakeholders fear the technology or don’t understand its benefits. Here are four steps to encourage team use of project management tools.

The Agile2011 Conference drew more than 1,600 attendees to Salt Lake City, where dozens of companies showcased new technology solutions and training offerings. Here is a recap from the busy exhibition floor.

Frustrated with the perennially elusive value of enterprise project management software? So are we. So seldom is nirvana actually attained. So what’s the problem, and what can we do about it? Can we bridge the gap? Read on.

John Baldwin, new CEO of on-demand PPM solutions provider Daptiv, shares his plans for the company, and where he thinks the industry is headed.

No company’s history and growth are more closely aligned with the project management industry’s rise over the past two decades than Primavera Systems. Twenty-five years after resolving to bring elitist scheduling tools to the desktop trenches, the software vendor’s co-founders share their thoughts about the past, present and future of the profession.

What advice has helped you survive this crazy profession? One writer weighs in on some valuable tips of the trade.

How can PMs harness the power of the cloud? There are many aspects of cloud computing worth noting from an organizational perspective, but this article will focus on two technologies that can be especially useful to project managers: software as a service and commoditized computing.

Microsoft Project remains the de facto leader in desktop project management software, but several alternative solutions are winning over fans, emphasizing their flexible, user-friendly features for planning, estimating, executing and collaborating. Here is a closer look at three such offerings: Clarizen, LiquidPlanner and Viewpath.

The Mac versus PC debate has been going on for some time with strongly held opinions on both sides of the monitor. More recently, the project management community has been debating agile versus so-called traditional techniques. And there are certainly similarities in how both discussions can be framed and, perhaps, resolved.

As we enter 2011, it's time for a refresher--it's the perfect time to explore the cross section of views and perspectives about PMOs. It's the perfect time to see what others are thinking regarding the state of PMOs, and this article will focus on starting a PMO, avoiding PMO failure, trends and the future of the PMO.

Recent alliances, acquisitions and implementations in the world of project and portfolio management.

If it’s the standardization and automation that attracts many in the construction field to project portfolio management software, how that ties into risk and reward keeps them coming back for more.

How does the CEO of a New Zealand-based creative design agency become a provider of project management software? Ask Julian Stone, director of ProActive Software Ltd. Stone created a project management tool for his Palm Pilot five years ago and shortly thereafter began marketing it internationally. But it’s tough for a small firm to build credibility, cater to would-be customers and find its niche in a universe dominated by much larger stars.

There’s no patented formula for creating the right PM practice. But here are five steps that your organization can take to improve on what it has (or had) and hopefully rise from the ashes with something that will work better than the last iteration.

Globally dispersed teams and stakeholders present daunting challenges to project, program and portfolio leaders. It is imperative that organizations develop a formal communication strategy that addresses distance, language, culture and access to information. In this undertaking, “the cloud” is a friend.

Here’s our February 2011 roundup of the latest technology solutions for project leaders, teams and organizations, including social-based requirements management … security-focused PPM … enterprise-level Agile integration … software lifecycle management … and more.

Agile projects benefit from the rapid pace of feedback achieved through frequent releases, but what happens when you’re working on a complex project with a long timeline and resistance to releasing early? As a compensating strategy, story maps based on project goals can leverage some benefits of a release even if you aren’t “going live” any time soon.

Recent alliances, acquisitions and implementations in the world of project and portfolio management.

Looking to increase productivity and streamline operations, more companies outside the traditional IT realm are ditching spreadsheets and turning to project management tools that focus on metrics and team communication. In doing so, they’re differentiating themselves from competitors and better accommodating their distributed workforces.

Recent appointments, promotions, openings and awards in the world of project management.

CRM tools are becoming much more common. Can they assist a project manager as well?

When it comes to leveraging social media techniques on projects, the most important place to start is frame of mind. It’s not about mimicking Facebook in the workplace, but rather removing barriers to communication and information-sharing. Project leaders who do will improve team camaraderie and productivity.

Organizations do a lot to implement what is viewed as project management. But do organizations have an organizational project management capability? To understand whether we do or not, we have to understand what this actually means, explore where organizations are today and evaluate how close we actually are to the attainment of this goal.

A veteran Belgium-based project manager and current learning specialist at IBM shares his experiences on major projects in China and France, as well as the challenges of securing executive buy-in and working with different cultures.

Recent alliances, acquisitions and implementations in the world of project and portfolio management.

Even in a down economy, there will be organizations that view the current economic situation as an opportunity, and find innovative ways to increase market share and expand profits. Here are three keys to maximizing resources and increasing profitability.