Project Management Software

Learn how to break down the project management process into five phases: Initiation, Planning, Execution, Monitoring & Control, and Closure. The post 5 Phases of Project Life Cycle and Why They Matter in 2025 appeared first on project-management.com. View the full article

Project scheduling can be hard, but software can make it more manageable. If you’re not quite ready to make the leap to an online project scheduling software, though, then project scheduling templates for Excel can be a decent substitute to get started. ProjectManager has dozens of free project management templates that you can download to assist in managing every phase of your project. Here are a few project scheduling templates to help you get started right away. But if you’re looking for project scheduling software that can take you to the next level of scheduling, then you want ProjectManager. Our cloud-based software can plan, monitor and report on your project sch…

Learn how to create a resource breakdown structure, with steps, free templates, and tools to plan resources and control project delivery. The post How to Create a Resource Breakdown Structure + Free Templates appeared first on project-management.com. View the full article

Construction projects are notoriously difficult, and they’re known for encountering delays. They involve many moving parts, teams, equipment and materials, so your construction schedule should be thoroughly planned. Tools that are embedded in construction project management software, such as Gantt charts and resource management, are key features to control the phases of a construction project. But they just facilitate the process. The construction schedule is the backbone of any successful project management for construction. What Is Construction Scheduling? Construction scheduling is the process of identifying all construction activities in a project, estimating the ti…

Projects gain momentum when people move in the same direction, which is why effective stakeholder collaboration and strong stakeholder communication play such a defining role in overall success. Teams often juggle shifting priorities, tight deadlines and diverse expectations, making coordinated participation essential from the start. When every contributor understands how decisions are made and how information circulates, engagement increases and risks shrink. This alignment gives the project a stable foundation and helps managers guide the work with clarity. What Is Stakeholder Collaboration? Stakeholder collaboration is a coordinated process in which project stakeholde…

Find the best project management tool for your small team with this comprehensive guide covering the best software for different needs and budgets. The post 6 Best Project Management Software for Small Teams to Cut Workload appeared first on project-management.com. View the full article

Unexpected delays can disrupt output, drain resources and complicate decision-making, which is why teams rely on a downtime report to bring clarity to operational slowdowns. This guide walks you through how the document works, how to create one effectively and what details matter most. You’ll also find an example and a free template to streamline your tracking process. /wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Downtime-report-template-image.png Get your free Downtime Report Template Use this free Downtime Report Template for Excel to manage your projects better. Download Excel File What Is a Downtime Report? A downtime report is a structured record that captures when o…

Pricing construction work accurately is one of the most important steps before any project begins. A well-prepared construction quote helps set expectations, protect margins and establish trust with clients from the start. By clearly outlining costs, assumptions and scope, contractors can reduce disputes, speed approvals and move confidently from proposal to contract without misunderstandings. What Is a Construction Quote? A construction quote is a formal document that details the estimated cost of completing a specific construction project or scope of work. It itemizes labor, materials and other expenses, defines assumptions and provides clients with a clear price refer…

Before a shovel hits the ground, UK construction projects rely on a cost plan to keep design ambition aligned with financial reality. Through disciplined cost planning, clients and teams gain clarity, manage risk and make informed decisions as proposals evolve. What Is Cost Planning in Construction? Cost planning in construction is a structured process used to forecast, monitor and control project costs as design develops. Led by quantity surveyors, it aligns scope, quality and budget through iterative estimates, risk allowances and benchmarking, ensuring the client’s financial objectives remain achievable from early concept through pre-tender stages while supporting inf…

When managing projects, users often face the decision of choosing the right Microsoft Project version. The debate of MS Project Standard vs. Professional comes up frequently because each offers different tools for project planning, scheduling and resource management. Understanding the differences between Project Standard vs. Professional is essential for selecting the right software for your team and business needs. In this comparison of Microsoft Project Standard vs. Professional, we’ll examine core features, usability, pricing and collaboration options. We’ll highlight distinctions between MS Project Professional vs. Standard, helping managers see why one may suit cert…

Teams that manage machinery or tools often struggle to keep track of what’s been serviced, what needs attention and which assets are falling behind on routine care. An equipment maintenance log brings clarity to that chaos by giving everyone a single place to reference past work and upcoming needs. It becomes a practical companion for anyone responsible for keeping equipment in steady rotation. /wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Equipment-Maintenance-Log-Template.png Get your free Equipment Maintenance Log Template Use this free Equipment Maintenance Log Template for Word to manage your projects better. Download Word File What Is an Equipment Maintenance Log? An…

Manufacturing requires a lot of attention to detail and coordinating various moving parts to deliver the final product. To accomplish those goals and meet a tight deadline and an even tighter budget, you need these 23 free manufacturing Excel templates. ProjectManager has dozens of free templates to download. We curated our template page to select 23 of the essential manufacturing templates for Excel that all manufacturers can benefit from. It doesn’t hurt that they’re free, either. 1. Production Schedule Template A production schedule is how you ensure that you get your product into the hands of your customers on time. But a schedule is similar to keeping a lot of ball…

You have a desired outcome, but what steps will you take to get there? Goal setting and tracking are important for both personal and professional success. Goals provide direction, purpose and motivation, while tracking helps with accountability and identifying roadblocks. Using goal-setting templates and goal-tracking templates will help deliver projects successfully and likely keep you much more organized along the way. There are over 100 free project management templates for Excel and Word available to download right now on our site. They cover every phase of managing a project and can be used across industries. We’ve cherry-picked the best free goal-setting templates …

Contractors bid for jobs. They have to outline what they’ll do, how long it’ll take and at what cost. Those estimates must be accurate or it can lead to a failed project or cut into the contractor’s profit margin. Using bid proposal templates is one way to ensure the bids are thorough and complete, covering all bases. ProjectManager has over 100 free project management templates for Excel and Word that can be downloaded now. There are over a dozen templates that can help during the construction bidding process. They are listed and linked below to help land work that serves the contractor and their client. However, templates are static documents. Project management softw…

Construction document management is critical to keeping complex building projects organized, compliant and on schedule. With multiple stakeholders, evolving plans and strict regulatory requirements, construction teams need a reliable way to store, track and share documents in real time. Effective construction document control ensures that the right stakeholders are working from the latest versions, reducing errors, delays and costly rework while improving collaboration across the project lifecycle. What Is Construction Document Management? Construction document management is the process of organizing, storing and controlling all digital and physical construction document…

Construction schedule setbacks rarely occur in isolation on complex projects, as usually, there are many challenges that happen simultaneously. When a concurrent delay emerges, project teams face added uncertainty, blurred accountability and heightened pressure to keep work moving. Understanding how these overlapping delays affect construction performance helps managers respond early, protect timelines and reduce disputes before issues escalate further internally. What Is a Concurrent Delay? Within construction scheduling, a concurrent delay describes a situation where two or more independent delay events occur during the same time period, affecting the planned project …

Behind every smooth construction project is tight document control. When shop drawings, material data and product samples start moving between contractors and design teams, things can quickly get messy. A well-managed submittal log keeps that flow organized, prevents approval delays and protects your project schedule from unnecessary disruption. What Is a Submittal In a Construction Project? In practical terms, a construction submittal is any shop drawing, product data sheet, material sample or technical document a contractor sends to the architect or engineer for review before work proceeds. Its purpose is simple: confirm that what will be purchased, fabricated or insta…

Construction costs are one of many metrics that a construction firm has to keep an eye on when executing projects. There are others, of course, such as the schedule, quality, safety and much more. But if the construction cost goes over budget, that’s coming out of the contractor’s pocket, putting profitability margins at risk. That’s why construction cost management is so important. Knowing exactly what construction cost management means and what construction costs are there can be the difference between project success or failure. We’ll go over those definitions and explain the construction cost management process so you can manage projects better. What Is a Constructi…

Projects don’t really end when the last crew leaves the site. Deadlines, final inspections, retained payments and handover documents all converge in one intense stretch that can either protect your profit or create unnecessary risk. Getting construction closeout right keeps your project timeline intact and prevents costly disputes after turnover. What Is Construction Closeout? Construction closeout is the coordinated phase at the end of a construction project where the focus shifts from building to verification, acceptance and transition. During construction closeout, the team confirms scope completion, validates quality against contract documents, reconciles costs, reso…

Keeping track of materials, products and supplies gets complicated fast once quantities start moving daily. That’s where well-structured inventory templates make a difference. Instead of guessing what’s in stock or scrambling before a reorder, you get clarity on inventory levels, costs and restock timing in one organized place. Whenever you’re ready to start managing projects, give ProjectManager a try. ProjectManager is an award-winning project management software designed to plan, schedule and track projects from start to finish. Build detailed project schedules, allocate resources, monitor costs and compare estimates against actual performance using a complete set of …

Financial clarity is one of the hardest things to achieve when managing a project. Before schedules are finalized or budgets are approved, leaders need to understand how costs, pricing and sales interact. Break even analysis provides that perspective by showing when a project stops consuming value and starts sustaining itself. What Is a Break Even Analysis? A break even analysis is a financial technique used to identify the breakeven point at which total revenue equals total costs. It compares fixed costs and variable costs against sales, price per unit and cost per unit to determine the number of units sold required to avoid a profit loss. By using contribution margin, …

Learn how Rfp rfi and rfq streamline procurement, improve vendor selection, and help teams make informed purchasing decisions. The post RFI, RFP or RFQ: What’s the Difference and When to Use Each? appeared first on project-management.com. View the full article

Manufacturing teams rely on various tools to keep production moving smoothly, and the andon board has become one of the most recognizable parts of that environment. Its purpose is to bring clarity to fast-moving operations and support immediate responses when conditions change. Understanding how an andon board fits into modern shop floors offers valuable insight into lean manufacturing practices and real-time communication. What Is an Andon Board? At its core, an andon board is a visual control tool used to communicate production conditions instantly. It signals normal operations, identifies abnormalities and prompts immediate action when attention is required. By presen…

Planning an event can range from a meeting at work to a convention and everything in between. It’s another project where you have to manage time, cost and scope (and don’t forget quality) to deliver on a deadline. Using planning templates can help you stay organized and keep to your budget and they allow you to schedule and create the kind of event that serves its purpose, whether that’s networking at a trade show or launching a team-building workshop. ProjectManager is award-winning software that can help you plan, manage and track your events. We’re also the online hub for everything project management-related. You can read weekly blogs, guides and download free event …

Making an action plan is essential for turning goals into results. Whether you’re launching a new initiative or improving existing processes, you need well-structured documents that outline tasks, deadlines and accountability. Using action plan templates ensures every step is clearly defined and supported with the information required to execute successfully. Below are our top free action plan templates for Excel and Word. Use them individually or combine them to build a complete execution toolkit your team can follow with confidence and clarity. 1. Action Plan Template for Excel When a project moves from ideas into execution, an action plan becomes the roadmap that gui…