Project Management Software

Microsoft Project has its critics. The project management software is expensive, complicated and not collaborative. No wonder project teams look for open-source Microsoft Project alternatives. For one thing, it’s (mostly) free. But these products also give Microsoft products a run for their money in terms of features. Let’s look at several open-source Microsoft Project alternatives and see what they have to offer, where they succeed as project management software and where they fall short. Sometimes a consumer gets what they paid for, which is why we’ll also review a commercial Microsoft Project alternative and see how it stands up against Microsoft Project open source a…

Whether you’re running a small business, managing inventory or launching a new product line, a well-designed order form is essential for streamlining purchases and keeping operations organized. The right order form template not only helps capture customer information and item details efficiently but also reduces errors and speeds up the fulfillment process. In this roundup, we’ve selected various free order form templates from our site, which has over 100 free templates for Excel and Word that cover all aspects of managing projects across numerous industries. These ready-to-use formats save you time, boost professionalism and make collecting the information you need easy…

Organizations rely on clear documentation when evaluating employee performance, tracking professional development and setting expectations for the future. The performance review templates in this list provide structured documents that help managers conduct fair employee performance reviews while also giving individuals a framework to reflect on progress, identify skill gaps and plan their career growth. Whether used by HR teams, supervisors or employees themselves, these performance review templates support consistent performance management and professional development. Whenever you’re ready to start managing projects, give ProjectManager a try. ProjectManager is an awar…

Every project starts with a number, and getting that number right can make or break your margin. Strong quoting templates help teams move from rough conversations to structured cost breakdowns without losing clarity. We’ve gathered quoting templates that work across industries, whether you’re managing construction projects, client services, manufacturing jobs or internal capital initiatives. Instead of reinventing your pricing structure each time, these quoting templates give you a consistent way to present labor, materials and totals with confidence. Creating an accurate project quote for a client is a critical process for any project-based organization in industries li…

Clear project outcomes rarely happen by accident. Teams must capture stakeholder expectations early, organize them into structured documentation and align everyone around what the project should deliver. That’s where requirement gathering templates become valuable. They help project managers collect, structure and track requirements so planning decisions, deliverables and project timelines stay aligned from start to finish. 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 …

Reliable maintenance forms help construction teams, manufacturers and any business that depends on equipment reduce downtime, control repair costs and improve safety. The templates below support scheduling, inspections, service history and tracking so maintenance work stays organized, accountable and easier to manage. 1. Maintenance Schedule Template A maintenance schedule is a planning document that organizes recurring service tasks for equipment, facilities or vehicles at set intervals. It defines timing, responsibilities and required work so preventive maintenance happens consistently, reducing breakdowns, delays and avoidable repair costs. /wp-content/uploads/2024/0…

Competition for project manager roles is tighter than ever, and hiring managers often scan resumes in minutes, not hours. Strong project management resume templates give you a structured way to present your project lifecycle experience, budget ownership and stakeholder coordination clearly and convincingly. Instead of guessing what to include, well-built project management resume templates help align your experience with what recruiters and automated screening systems actually review. 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 fro…

Master project estimation techniques, like parametric, analogous, and bottom-up methods, with examples and tips to help you choose the right approach. The post 6 Proven Project Estimation Techniques, Examples, & Best Practices appeared first on project-management.com. View the full article

Explore the best RACI alternatives for managing roles and responsibilities more effectively across teams. The post 6 RACI Matrix Alternatives to Help Define Project Roles appeared first on project-management.com. View the full article

Daily affirmations have long been used to boost self-esteem. They compel people to start their days on the right foot. But while letting a smile be your umbrella might fortify your positive attitude, it’s not going to inspire your business ventures. Everyone must work, but for many of us, that job isn’t just a paycheck; it’s an opportunity to express ourselves and make something better. Entrepreneurs and go-getters often feel as if they carry the weight of an entire organization on their backs, and therefore could always use a little extra motivation. To all the entrepreneurs and go-getters out there, these 60 inspiring business quotes are for you. Now, get out there an…

Ugh, another work meeting. For some people, meetings can be boring and a waste of time, detracting from the real work at hand. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Work meetings can be much better when teams have fun with ice breaker questions and ice breaker games. Just as speeches get attention by opening with an ice breaker question or joke, a team meeting needs to open in a way that creates a team-bonding environment. So, what are the best ice breaker questions and games for meetings? Why Should Teams Use Ice Breaker Questions and Games for Work Meetings? Ice breakers are fun. Yes, meetings are about getting down to business, but opening one with an ice breaker helps…

In my years of experience working in marketing, I’ve learned that the success of a campaign depends on how well a team organizes and executes that idea across different tasks. For this, I use a marketing strategy template to give structure to my campaigns, especially when timelines and deliverables start overlapping. In this article, I… The post 7 Best Marketing Strategy Templates to Hit Deadlines & Campaign Goals appeared first on project-management.com. View the full article

Project scheduling tools help teams plan, track and execute projects efficiently by organizing tasks, deadlines and resources in one platform. With the right project scheduling tools, businesses can visualize dependencies, manage workloads and meet deadlines without confusion or missed steps. In 2025, these tools have evolved to include AI-driven automation and real-time collaboration features that improve visibility and productivity across industries. What Are Project Scheduling Tools? Project scheduling tools are software applications that help teams plan, assign and track project activities. They streamline workflows by providing timelines, milestones and dependencies…

Keeping billing organized shouldn’t require complicated accounting software. The invoice templates in this guide give businesses a simple way to document products, services and payment terms while keeping records clear for clients and internal tracking. Each template is free, professionally structured and designed to be easily printed for physical invoices when needed. ProjectManager is an award-winning project management software equipped with advanced cost management features that allow organizations to create detailed project schedules, estimate costs, create a budget, allocate resources and monitor costs in real time as work is executed. Get started for free today. …

Planning projects from scratch takes time, especially when using a complex and non-user-friendly software like Microsoft Project. That’s where Microsoft Project templates become useful, giving you a structured starting point without sacrificing flexibility. We’ve created free Microsoft Project templates that can be viewed and edited in Microsoft Project’s Gantt chart, task list and kanban board. The free templates below were originally created in ProjectManager, a project management software that lets you import, edit and export Microsoft Project MPP files seamlessly. Related: 20 Best Microsoft Project Alternatives for 2026 (Free & Paid) They’re completely free to …

Explore SEO project management templates built for campaign tracking, team collaboration, and on-page/off-page optimization. The post 7 Must-Have SEO Project Management Templates to Launch Your Campaigns Right and Keep Them on Track appeared first on project-management.com. View the full article

Project management examples show how planning, scheduling and execution principles are applied across different industries. They highlight real-world strategies for completing projects on time, staying within budget and achieving the desired outcomes. By examining project management examples from manufacturing, construction, software development and other sectors, teams can learn best practices and adapt them to their own work. These project management examples also demonstrate how tools and methodologies are used to manage complexity, coordinate resources and communicate progress. Whether it’s a small internal project or a large-scale initiative, seeing how other teams …

Project leadership is in flux and a good manager knows never to become complacent. Jennifer Bridges, PMP, shows you how your role is evolving. Here’s a shot of the whiteboard for your reference! In Review: 7 Ways Project Manager Roles Are Changing As Jennifer said, project manager roles are changing. The days of technical, scope, scheduling, budgeting, assigning resources and delivering deliverables on time have evolved to include soft skills such as conflict resolution, leadership, and even trends towards more business management skills such as business modeling and strategic analysis. These new skills are reflected in the new Project Management Institute (PMI) guide…

Project managers often wonder if they are measuring the right things on a project. It’s difficult to know how much time to spend evaluating past performance and how much time to spend on keeping the work moving forward. Of course, there are many indicators of project success, but what do you need to be measuring while the project is in motion? At various points during the project, you want to evaluate five points: schedule, quality, cost, stakeholder satisfaction and performance against the business case. You should be doing this informally anyway. A formal project evaluation is of use during the end of a phase or stage as it can give you a clear indication of how the p…

You can spend hours reading business books and browsing blogs about teamwork, but sometimes, teamwork quotes from history seem to say more than an entire book ever could. And since every team can use a little extra motivation once in a while, we set out to find the best teamwork quotes for you to share with your employees to get your team working at their best. In this blog, you’ll find: Inspirational teamwork quotes Motivational teamwork quotes Funny teamwork quotes Uplifting teamwork quotes Appreciation teamwork quotes Leadership teamwork quotes Don’t forget that, while employee motivation is key to success in the workplace, it’s not all you and your team need to su…

Learn the expert-approved best project management courses to gain certifications and grow your career at any experience level. The post 8 Best Project Management Courses: Expert Picks for 2025 appeared first on project-management.com. View the full article

Scheduling tasks to meet deadlines, assign resources and estimate costs are fundamental to the planning phase in project management. One of the most important tools for project managers to accomplish this is project timeline software. We review the best project timeline software, listing pros, cons, pricing and more to help customers make an informed decision. Use this guide to help find the right project timeline software for your projects. What Is Project Timeline Software? Project timeline software is designed to help project managers, teams and stakeholders visually plan, track and manage the project schedule. It provides a timeline view of tasks, milestones, deadli…

Plan smarter, not harder. Download 8 free content templates to align teams, streamline workflows, and drive better marketing results. The post 8 Content Plan Templates to Execute Campaigns Better in 2025 appeared first on project-management.com. View the full article

Here’s a fact: marketing budgets can make or break your company’s ROI, and it often comes down to how well you plan, track, and manage spending across campaigns. A marketing budget template gives you the framework to track spending and align campaigns with business goals. In this article, you’ll see how tools like monday.com support… The post 8 Free Marketing Budget Templates to Track ROI and Costs in 2025 appeared first on project-management.com. View the full article

A clear project scope is essential for delivering work on time, on budget and to stakeholder expectations. Scope templates help define what a project or program will and won’t include, ensuring everyone is aligned from the outset. By standardizing how scope is documented, these templates and documents reduce ambiguity, prevent scope creep and provide a reference point throughout the project lifecycle. In this roundup, we’ve gathered a range of scope templates designed to support various project and program needs. Whether you’re managing a small initiative or a complex multi-project program, these free templates, documents and Excel spreadsheets will help you outline deli…