Session 4 - Research Project Management tools

Project Management Software

What does Project Management software do?

Project management software has the capacity to help plan, organize, and manage resource tools and develop resource estimates. Depending on the sophistication of the software, it can manage estimation and planning, scheduling, cost control and budget management, resource allocation, collaboration software, communication, decision-making, quality management and documentation or administration systems. Today, numerous PC & browser based project management software and contract management software solutions exist, and are finding applications in almost every type of business.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_management_software

For more information, read this article http://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-project-management-software-definition-examples.html

OR this one https://www.tutorialspoint.com/management_concepts/project_management_softwares.htm






There are many different Project Management Tools and/or Software available. I like to put them into the following categories, although some applications may fit into multiple.

Desktop (Standalone)

Desktop or Standalone Project Management applications are those that are installed on a single computer. You will find both Commercial applications, which can cost a significant amount of money, or Open Source, which are generally free.


Enterprise Server Based

These are applications, either commercial or Open Source, that are installed on a business or enterprise server. The advantage that these applications have over standalone, is the ability to collaborate and share information with the project team or project team leaders.

Online / Collaboration

There are a huge number of online Project Management Tools, varying in cost and functionality. Similar to those installed on a server, the main advantage is the ability to collaborate and share information within a project team.

Top Project Management Software

There are a number of lists that will show you some of the better Project Management Software. I have tried quite a few over the years, The following article is a good summary of the current options as it includes both commercial and free offerings.

http://technologyadvice.com/project-management/





Class Activity

In groups, you are to research a Project Management Tool/Application and report back to the class. Be prepared to do a short presentation including the following information

  • Name of application
  • Category/Categories (as above)
  • Cost (if available)
  • Main features
  • Pros/Cons
  • Its BEST feature 
  • Would you use it?


We will use the following list of popular Project Management tools (in no particular order):

 Microsoft Project
Wrike
Freedcamp
Basecamp
Zoho Projects
Podio
Asana
Mavenlink
Trello
Smartsheet

Producteev
Teamwork Projects


Open Source applications
https://sourceforge.net/directory/business-enterprise/project-management/os:windows/
http://blog.capterra.com/free-open-source-project-management-software/

or just put "open source project management" into Google



Here are some links that show comparisons between popular Project Management applications

http://au.pcmag.com/software/10283/guide/the-best-project-management-software-of-2017

https://financesonline.com/best-free-project-management-solutions-consider-2017/






http://technologyadvice.com/project-management/

http://www.softwareadvice.com/au/project-management/


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