Project Management Software

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…

A construction traffic management plan is an essential part of any project that takes place near roads, busy intersections or active job sites. It provides the framework for safely directing vehicles, machinery and pedestrians around the work area while maintaining efficient movement and minimizing disruption. As construction traffic management becomes more complex, well-designed plans help teams coordinate logistics, reduce congestion and prevent costly safety incidents. With multiple contractors, delivery schedules and changing site conditions, managing the flow of traffic requires careful coordination. A strong construction traffic management plan brings structure to …

Planning is the foundation of successful project management. By organizing and executing the right tasks, you guide your team toward achieving objectives and delivering final results. One of the most effective ways to visualize this process is with a clear roadmap that outlines priorities, milestones and deadlines. Many teams rely on Microsoft products to manage work efficiently. But does Microsoft Planner provide a roadmap view? While work can be completed without a formal roadmap, having a Microsoft Planner roadmap is a valuable tool for any large or complex project. It helps teams see the big picture, track progress and ensure tasks align with strategic goals. What I…

Microsoft Project Online Professional was a cloud-based project management solution that allowed teams to plan, track and deliver projects through online collaboration. As part of the Microsoft Project suite, it offered tools for scheduling, resource management and portfolio tracking across multiple initiatives. As of October 1, 2025, new users will not be able to sign up, with the software being retired on September 30, 2026. Project Online Professional integrated with Microsoft 365 applications and SharePoint, enabling users to manage projects from anywhere. Though widely used for enterprise project management, Microsoft has retired this product in favor of newer solut…

Trello vs. Asana is a likely matchup for anyone looking for the right project management software. They’re both well-known and popular project management tools. Trello is often thought of as the go-to for kanban boards, which visualize workflow. Asana, on the other hand, is a simple-to-use work management tool. The trouble is most people want more than kanban boards, which is Trello’s bread and butter, and they want Gantt charts, which Asana doesn’t have. Yes, Trello has project management features and Asana has a timeline and other tools to help manage tasks and teams. But why use one or even both of these project management tools when there’s one that beats them both a…

Discover free freelance management templates, plus expert tips and FAQs to help you choose the right one for organizing projects and managing freelancers. The post Best Freelance Management Templates to Track Work and Payments in 2025 appeared first on project-management.com. View the full article

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 …

A line manager plays a central role in translating strategic goals into day-to-day action. They bridge senior leadership and frontline teams by directing work, removing obstacles and ensuring tasks are completed to standard. Strong communication and practical decision-making help the line manager keep teams focused, motivated and productive while meeting operational targets. Successful line managers balance people management with process oversight. They coach staff, monitor performance, allocate resources and support continuous improvement. This role requires both practical knowledge of the work and an ability to manage relationships across functions so teams deliver rel…

Construction resource scheduling is essential for coordinating materials, labor and equipment efficiently across multiple job sites. The process ensures that the right resources are available when needed, preventing delays and budget overruns. Successful construction resource scheduling helps maintain timelines, optimize productivity and reduce waste, which is vital in an industry where every hour and cost counts. Modern tools simplify this process, allowing managers to plan, allocate and track resources effectively throughout each phase of the project. What Is Construction Resource Scheduling? Construction resource scheduling is the process of allocating and managing pr…

Construction projects are complex, involving numerous risks that can impact budgets, timelines and overall success. Construction risk management software helps teams identify, evaluate and mitigate these risks proactively. From small contractors to large firms, having the right tools ensures projects run smoothly and safely. These software solutions centralize risk data, track potential issues and integrate with other project management tools. They allow managers to make informed decisions quickly, improving efficiency, accountability and overall project outcomes. Choosing the right construction risk management software can prevent costly delays and keep stakeholders ali…

Microsoft Project Online Essentials was a simplified, cloud-based project management tool designed for team members who needed to collaborate on projects without requiring full access to Microsoft Project Professional. It was retired when Microsoft shut down its Project Online tool for new users on October 1, 2025. It will be completely retired on September 30, 2026. Project Online Essentials enabled users to view schedules, update tasks, track progress and communicate project status efficiently. Teams could manage tasks across multiple projects and ensure alignment with overall objectives. With Project Online Essentials, organizations gained a flexible, accessible way t…

Learning how to make a project schedule in Excel helps project managers plan tasks, set deadlines and track progress with accessible tools they already use. A project schedule in Excel organizes activities in a timeline format, showing task durations, dependencies and milestones. While limited for large projects, creating an Excel project schedule or downloading a project schedule for Excel is a quick way to get started managing smaller projects efficiently without investing in complex software. /wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Project-Schedule-Template-for-Excel.png Get your free Project Schedule Template Use this free Project Schedule Template for Excel to manage y…

Project budget tracking is an essential process for ensuring projects stay on target financially and resources are allocated efficiently. By monitoring costs, expenses and budget deviations, teams can prevent overruns and make informed decisions throughout a project’s lifecycle. Effective project budget tracking helps managers forecast costs, optimize spending and maintain profitability while keeping stakeholders informed of financial performance and any necessary adjustments to project scope or resources. Using project budget tracking software simplifies this process by consolidating financial data, tracking expenses in real time and providing automated alerts when cost…

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…

A production manager plays a central role in overseeing how goods and services move from planning to completion. This position bridges the gap between strategy and execution by ensuring resources, schedules and workflows align to meet production goals. Successful production managers coordinate across departments, work closely with teams on the ground and communicate with leadership to keep operations on track. Their work is not limited to the shop floor, but extends to planning, budgeting and reporting, making them vital to any organization’s performance. The production manager job description often highlights a wide range of responsibilities that require both technical …

AI for project management is changing how teams plan and deliver projects. Instead of relying only on manual processes, project managers can now use AI project management to analyze data, predict risks and recommend next steps. This technology helps teams save time, improve accuracy and make better decisions during every stage of a project. As more organizations adopt AI project management tools, they gain an advantage in speed and efficiency. AI tools for project management make it easier to balance workloads, manage resources, and stay on top of deadlines. Whether you are running a small project or managing a complex portfolio, using AI for project management keeps eve…

Project management professionals know the good, bad and ugly of Microsoft Project Server. On the one hand, it has powerful project management capabilities, but on the other hand, Microsoft Server can be expensive, difficult to use and not collaborative. However, MS Project Server integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft products, such as Microsoft Office, SharePoint Online and Microsoft Project. But is Microsoft Project Server the best project management software? Let’s put it to the test. We’ll explore its benefits and features, list where it falls short and review some of the best Microsoft Project Server alternatives on the market. After reading this thorough rundow…

If you’re working in project management, then you know about Monday.com. You’re probably getting a ton of online ads. The company has invested a ton of money in its marketing to people working on projects. But is there a Monday Gantt chart? Let’s take a look at this popular project management software and see if it delivers on one of the most essential project management tools. We’ll avoid the question as to why Monday.com named itself after the most hated day of the week and leave that for another time. What Is Monday.com? Monday.com bills itself as a work management tool. It says its purpose is to help teams and their organizations work more efficiently. It does this …

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…

Process costing is a key accounting method used in manufacturing to determine the total cost of producing large quantities of similar items. By accumulating and averaging production costs over time, businesses gain accurate insights into their cost per unit. This method is essential for industries that rely on continuous production such as chemicals, textiles, or food manufacturing. Process costing helps ensure financial transparency, supports pricing decisions and improves overall cost control across departments and production cycles. What Is Process Costing? Process costing is a cost accounting technique used when identical or similar products are produced in a continu…

IT change management is a structured approach to handling changes in an organization’s IT environment. Proper IT change management ensures that modifications to systems, applications or infrastructure are implemented with minimal disruption. By establishing standardized procedures, IT teams can manage risks, maintain compliance and keep services running smoothly. Understanding IT change management is crucial for organizations aiming to improve operational efficiency, reduce errors and enhance communication across IT and business teams while aligning changes with overall business goals. Implementing IT change management allows organizations to track changes systematically…

Google Sheets for project management is a flexible, cloud-based tool that allows teams to organize data, plan projects and track progress collaboratively. It’s a free and accessible option for teams of all sizes that need to create simple task lists, project timelines and budgets. With real-time updates and easy sharing features, Google Sheets helps teams stay aligned, monitor deadlines and communicate changes instantly, making it a useful starting point for basic project tracking and collaboration. Can Google Sheets Be Used for Project Management? Yes, Google Sheets can be used for project management. Teams often use it to create task trackers, Gantt charts and project …

Project milestone examples are essential markers that help teams track progress and ensure projects stay on schedule. Milestones signal the completion of critical phases, key deliverables or important approvals, giving stakeholders a clear view of a project’s progress. Across industries from construction to software development, project milestone examples provide structure and accountability, helping managers plan, allocate resources and communicate effectively with their teams and clients. Understanding project milestone examples allows organizations to identify high-impact points in a project timeline, set realistic goals and manage risks more efficiently. By using mil…

Looking for a simple way to organize your tasks, track progress, and stay on top of deadlines? An action plan template for Google Sheets can help. With this easy-to-use, customizable template, you can break down projects into clear steps, assign responsibilities and monitor progress in real time. Whether you’re managing a team project or planning personal goals, this template keeps everything in one place, saving time and keeping your workflow on track. An action plan template for Google Sheets helps bring structure to ideas by placing tasks, deadlines and responsibilities in a clear sequence. Its online format keeps information accessible, allowing contributors to stay …

Project dashboards provide a clear, real-time overview of a project’s progress, performance and key metrics in one centralized location. It helps project managers and stakeholders quickly assess whether the project is on track by visualizing data such as timelines, budgets, resource allocation and task completion rates. By simplifying complex information into easily digestible visuals like charts and graphs, dashboards enable faster decision-making, improve communication across teams and enhance transparency throughout the project lifecycle. Many teams use Microsoft products to manage their projects, but does Microsoft Planner have a dashboard? The Microsoft Planner dash…