Project Management Software

Project management is a unique field. It exists in many industries because a “project” applies to almost anything that achieves a goal or produces a deliverable. This can include anything from software development to construction. Nearly every industry has projects of varying lengths and complexities—prompting a diverse list of project manager titles. However, project managers are not a monolithic group. They have a wide variety of skills, which include technical know-how, business acumen and leadership skills. Additionally, within the field of project management, there’s a range of project manager titles and roles, which we will explain further. /wp-content/uploads/202…

The day to get organized is now, not later. Without having some organization for your project, you run the risk of sending an extensive and time-consuming project spiraling into abject failure. A well-organized project ensures that everyone knows what’s expected of them, what their authority is and what they need to do. Project organization provides the track on which to run a project. Without it, a project is in shambles. What Is Project Organization? The project organization is the structure of the project. It’s created separately, with specialists and workers from various departments. These personnel work under the project manager or project management office (PMO). …

A project plan template for Google Sheets makes it easier to organize, schedule and manage tasks in one place. By using this customizable spreadsheet, teams can track progress, assign responsibilities and ensure projects stay on time and within budget. It’s an accessible option for businesses that want a simple, cloud-based tool for managing projects without complex software. This project plan template for Google Sheets helps standardize project planning, allowing users to visualize milestones, dependencies and deliverables. With shared access and real-time updates, teams can collaborate effectively and make informed decisions throughout the project lifecycle. Why Use a…

When you’re managing a project, the triple constraint should always be top of mind. But there’s a fourth constraint that’s just as important, yet sometimes forgotten by some project managers as they go through the project planning phase—project quality management. What Is Project Quality Management? Project quality management is the process of defining quality standards for the deliverables of a project, as well as the quality assurance measures to guarantee those standards are met. However, quality can be an elusive word. In project management, quality is simply what the customer or stakeholder needs from the project deliverables. Project quality management can be simp…

There are many project risks that can affect your project and, as a project manager, you’re responsible for the risk analysis process. Risk analysis, or risk assessment is essential because it allows project managers to classify project risks and determine which of them should be tracked closely. What Is Project Risk Analysis? Risk analysis consists of using tools and techniques to determine the likelihood and impact of project risks that have been previously identified. Therefore, risk analysis helps project managers decipher the uncertainty of potential risks and how they would impact the project in terms of schedule, quality and costs if, in fact, they were to show up…

The scope of a project is the sum of all the work that needs to be executed. A project scope statement helps project managers define the boundaries of what will and what won’t be done. But scope statements aren’t just about work management. To write a project scope statement, you’ll need to understand the project goals, work breakdown structure and requirements, among other things. Then, once you’ve defined your project scope, you can create a scope document. What Is a Project Scope Statement? A scope statement is a document that defines all the elements of the project scope as well as assumptions, project requirements and acceptance criteria. Your project scope stateme…

Project specifications are essential documents that define the requirements, standards and expectations for a construction project. They provide detailed information on materials, workmanship, dimensions and quality, ensuring every team member understands the project goals. Clear project specifications help prevent misunderstandings, reduce errors and maintain consistency across all phases of construction. They also serve as a reference for regulatory compliance and contract management. By establishing measurable criteria, project specifications enable accurate cost estimation, scheduling and quality control, making them a critical tool for project managers, contractors …

Managing deadlines is one of the hardest parts of running projects, especially when teams are spread across multiple tasks and locations. Project time tracking gives managers visibility into where hours are going and helps teams stay focused on priority work. When every minute matters, the right project time tracking software keeps schedules realistic, resources balanced and projects moving toward completion without unnecessary delays. Beyond keeping teams on track, project time tracking also supports accurate billing and better forecasting. It helps managers spot bottlenecks early and shift workloads to avoid burnout or wasted time. The best project management time trac…

Construction projects manage many different types of resources. General contractors have to accurately estimate the amount of those items to keep their profit margin. They do this through the process of a quantity takeoff. What is quantity takeoff and when should this process happen in the construction project management cycle? We’ll address those questions, note who should be involved in the process, how to do it and why it’s so important. What Is Quantity Takeoff in Construction? Quantity takeoff (QTO) in construction refers to measuring and listing the quantities of materials, labor and resources required for a construction project. This detailed assessment estimates…

See if RACI Matrix in Agile is useful or not to clarify roles, improve collaboration, and streamline decision-making for better project success. The post Raci Matrix in Agile Project Management appeared first on project-management.com. View the full article

Imagine that you’re taking the lead on a new IT project that involves building a call center from the network to the servers. The call center itself will house hundreds of jobs and will bridge the gap between customer and product. There are many requirements for a big project like this and as a project manager, you keep track of them all. Requirements gathering is a step in the requirements management process, which consists of gathering, documenting and analyzing project requirements. We’ll start with a requirements gathering definition and then we’ll look into the process and tools you can use. /wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Requirements-Gathering-Template.png Get …

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

Projects are delicate operations. There is so much that can impact them; a storm cutting off the supply chain, equipment failure or a labor dispute are merely three possible situations in a seemingly endless succession of risks. The risk response plan that you create to deal with these risks, which describes risk identification, assessment, and mitigation response strategies, could mean the success or failure of the project. It’s no wonder so much of project management is focused on risk! Controlling risk, having a risk response plan and implementing risk response strategies are methods to better manage your project and deliver success. Another way is to have project ma…

A safety checklist is a practical tool that helps teams maintain consistent safety practices on site. Used before shifts, inspections and audits, a good checklist improves compliance, reduces incidents and creates a clear record of safety actions. By standardizing inspections across crews and sites, a safety checklist makes it easier to spot hazards early and take corrective action quickly. The right safety checklist template saves time by providing ready-made fields for hazards, controls and signatures while remaining easy to customize for specific trades or tasks. Whether printed for toolbox talks or used on a mobile device for real-time reporting, a safety checklist t…

Creating a project plan is one of the most important responsibilities of a project manager. This document should include everything the team needs to execute a project, such as its budget, schedule, scope, resource requirements, roles & responsibilities, among other things. However, creating project plans can be challenging for both beginner and experienced project managers alike. That’s why we’ve created this sample project plan to help project managers include what matters most. Once you’re ready, you can try ProjectManager. We’re online project management software with tools such as Gantt charts to filter for the critical path and baselines so you can track your p…

The secret to agile and scrum project management is simplicity, even in the face of complexity. And although scrum ceremonies are simple, they can be difficult to master. Scrum requires self-organizing teams that can quickly solve problems in agile environments. To provide transparency and regular communication amid such environments, scrum ceremonies are held. Scrum ceremonies or agile ceremonies are meetings that are unique to scrum and agile teams. What Are Scrum Ceremonies? Scrum ceremonies are meetings that ensure that the scrum master, product owner and development team are in-sync. These ceremonies, or scrum events, are held at key instances in the agile sprint cy…

A SIPOC diagram is a simple yet effective way to visualize how processes function within an organization. It helps teams understand the flow of work from start to finish, ensuring all steps are clearly outlined. This type of tool is often used to improve efficiency, support quality management and align teams around a shared understanding of business processes. Many organizations use a SIPOC diagram at the start of a project to define the scope of a process, establish accountability and identify potential areas for improvement. It offers a high-level perspective that helps teams quickly recognize where inputs come from, how processes transform them and who receives the fi…

Smartsheet is software that has built its entire platform on the familiar landscape of spreadsheets. While it does more than a traditional Excel spreadsheet, does it have the features that project managers and their teams need to track work and stay on schedule and budget? Of course, we’re referring to a Smartsheet dashboard. To find out if there is a Smartsheet dashboard and, if so, how powerful it is, we’re going to test drive the software. We’ll determine the value of its tracking features and review the pros and cons to make sure that potential users looking for dynamic project management software are steered in the right direction. What Is Smartsheet? Smartsheet is…

Ask a dozen people what agile is and you’ll get a dozen different answers. But it’s best defined by scrum as a model. Scrum is a way to manage a project within an agile framework and is made up of three roles: product owner, scrum master and team—all of whom are involved in sprint planning. The product owner is focused on the business side of the project, the scrum master is the expert, who acts like a coach. The team is self-directed and works as they see fit to meet the goals of the product owner. If you’re interested in the nuts and bolts of scrum, check our our guide. For this post, we’re going to take a deep dive into one of the events in the scrum framework, the s…

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…

A stakeholder is any individual, group or organization directly or indirectly affected by a project. That means they are interested in its success and can influence its outcome. This can include the project manager, project team, customers, suppliers, executives, regulatory bodies and sometimes the community impacted by the project. Stakeholder engagement helps manage these various influencers. To understand how to manage stakeholders, we’ll begin by defining stakeholder engagement and a stakeholder engagement plan. Then we’ll outline what should be included in the stakeholder engagement plan and how the process is played out in project management. Then download a few fr…

Managing stakeholders is one of the most important parts of running a successful project. Every initiative involves people with different levels of interest and influence, from clients and executives to suppliers and end users. A stakeholder matrix helps project managers see these relationships clearly so they can focus attention where it matters most. When you can visualize who needs regular updates, who should be kept satisfied and who might block progress, you can make better decisions and avoid costly surprises. Using a stakeholder matrix keeps communication targeted and efficient. Instead of guessing who to involve at different stages, you can prioritize stakeholder…

Stakeholder reporting is a crucial process that keeps everyone informed about project performance, progress and potential risks. A stakeholder report gives stakeholders transparency into goals, metrics and milestones, helping build trust and align expectations. When done effectively, stakeholder reporting supports decision-making, encourages accountability and ensures that all involved parties remain engaged throughout the project lifecycle. It also demonstrates a team’s commitment to open communication and continuous improvement across departments and project stages. What Is Stakeholder Reporting? Stakeholder reporting is the process of collecting, analyzing and sharin…

The words stakeholder and shareholder are often used loosely in business. The two words are commonly thought of as synonyms and are used interchangeably, but there are some key differences between them. These differences reveal how to appropriately manage stakeholders vs shareholders in your organization. For example, a shareholder is always a stakeholder in a corporation, but a stakeholder is not always a shareholder. The distinction lies in their relationship to the corporation and their priorities. Different priorities and levels of authority require different approaches in formality, communication and reporting. It’s important that these terms are well-defined to av…

As building codes evolve to respond to conservation, a new way to build has gained popularity. Sustainable construction is a new paradigm changing an industry that has been around since antiquity. Construction project management is responding to climate change and the need for renewable energy and natural resources. Understanding this trend toward environmental benefits requires understanding what sustainable construction is, what are sustainable construction materials and how this impacts the construction process and construction projects. We explain the push for green building and the need to be cost-effective below. What Is Sustainable Construction? Sustainable const…