Project Management Software

Asana is popular project management software, but does it have all the features project managers and their teams need? Let’s narrow the focus and spotlight one feature, the Asana dashboard. Does the tool have this feature and, if it does, how robust is it? A dashboard is essential for monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs), such as time tracking, work management and more. Is an Asana dashboard up to the task? Let’s find out! We’ll review Asana, see if it has a dashboard and explore alternatives that might better serve project teams. What Is Asana? Asana is project management software designed to help teams and individuals organize work, collaborate and stay on top…

When a project or product manager is in the planning stage, they’re scheduling tasks to meet a schedule and not exceed the budget. But if the customer needs aren’t met with the deliverables being created, the project is a failure. Equally or more important than meeting deadlines and avoiding cost overruns is acceptance criteria. Why are acceptance criteria important? We’ll explain by defining the term and detailing what should be included to help the development team produce successful deliverables. Then we’ll explain when this process occurs, who defines it and more. What Are Acceptance Criteria? Acceptance criteria in project management are the specific conditions, re…

Project templates are predesigned documents that help organize and manage a project from start to finish. They provide a standardized approach to common project tasks, helping project managers and teams stay consistent, efficient and aligned. These templates often include predefined sections, tasks, timelines and checkpoints that help guide the project through its life cycle. Download these free project templates to help with the project planning process, change management, project scheduling and more. But know that templates are only a bandaid and will prove frustrating in time. We suggest upgrading to project management software, but until one is ready, these free proj…

A project management dashboard is one of the essential tools for delivering projects as planned. That’s because a project dashboard is a visual representation of key performance indicators (KPIs) that provide a high-level overview of key project metrics. For those not ready to upgrade to project management software, there’s an alternative: Excel dashboard templates. Dashboard templates are designed to track a variety of different metrics that provide vital data for project managers and their teams. We have free dashboard templates that will help track budget, workload, progress and more. Monitoring this allows project managers to determine if the project is on schedule a…

Project management charts greatly help project managers plan, schedule and track progress on projects of all sizes. There are many types of project management charts and there’s one for each stage of the project life cycle such as project initiation or project closing charts, for example. There are also planning charts, diagrams and matrices for each of the key 10 project management areas such as cost, schedule, resource or stakeholder management. Luckily for project managers, there are many alternatives when it comes to choosing a project management chart to facilitate project planning efforts. In fact, using those charts is often a need for project managers. You’ll ne…

Monday.com is a recognized brand that has aggressively promoted its work management software to the general public. But is it project management software? One way to find out is by examining its features. For example, is there a Monday dashboard? Project dashboards are essential project management tools. They offer an overview of key performance indicators (KPIs) that help project managers and team members keep track of schedules, budgets and resources. Let’s see if there’s a Monday.com dashboard and, if there is, if it lives up to industry standards. What Is Monday.com? Monday.com is a work operating system designed to help teams plan, track and manage their work. It’s…

Have you ever looked at a bridge, building or structure of any kind and wondered, “how did they do that?” They did it with construction management. Construction is, of course, a project, one that tends to be long, complex and involves many different parties to deliver. In order to control all those moving parts, construction professionals use construction management for all project delivery methods. Let’s look at what construction management is and then go into some of the key elements. We’ll also discuss the process and offers some free templates to help in your next construction project. What Is Construction Management? Construction management is a professional servic…

Events are projects that must be planned, executed and tracked to be delivered successfully. Therefore, an event schedule is essential to ensure that all related tasks are organized and done within a predetermined timeframe. To have a successful event requires event scheduling, which means understanding the steps to creating one, what should be included and an event schedule template to lay it all out. For a more efficient and effective event, there’s also event scheduling software that we’ll get to later. What Is Event Scheduling? Event scheduling refers to the process of planning, organizing and coordinating the timing and logistics of an event. This involves determin…

The stage is set. Primavera P6 vs. Microsoft Project. Two heavyweights in the project management software division. Known as project scheduling software, project portfolio management, project planner and more, but which is the champion or is there a dark horse in the wings to steal the title? To make the Primavera vs. Microsoft Project fair, we’ll define both, explain what they’re used for and where one surpasses the other. These are both widely used project management tools, but that doesn’t mean they’re without issues. One of the main complaints is the cost and complexity. We’ll get into the stats and let readers decide which is better, Primavera P6 or MS Project, but…

Construction projects are notoriously difficult. They involve multiple teams, suppliers and more when building a structure. Ensuring the schedule is realistic and the project can be delivered on time requires techniques such as CPM construction. What is CPM construction? It stands for the critical path method in construction. What is critical path construction? That’s what we’ll learn, including how to make a CPM construction schedule and why general contractors want to use it. We’ll even throw in a free critical path template. What Is the Critical Path Method (CPM) in Construction? As noted above, CPM construction stands for the critical path method. It’s a project man…

Construction delivery methods matter. They are the means by which a construction project gets from idea to completion. That’s a long and complicated journey in construction project management, which is why knowing the best construction delivery method is so important. You can’t reach the end of your project if you’re not sure of the steps to get there, and construction delivery methods outline those steps. Before we look at the various construction delivery methods, we need to first make sure we’re clear on what a construction delivery method is. We’ll then explore how to choose the right construction delivery method for your organization and project. Finally, we’ll desc…

Construction companies have to do some heavy lifting, and that’s not just the steel and concrete they use to erect buildings, bridges and other structures. Many different types of materials and labor go into their work which requires their contracts to have construction specifications. There are many types of specifications in construction. We’ll explain what construction specifications are, why they’re so important and detail the different types. Then we’ll go a step further by offering free templates and software that can help with construction project management. What Are Construction Specifications? Construction specifications are the products, materials and work th…

The construction process is how projects in that field are broken into more manageable parts. Creating a building, bridge, warehouse or any structure is daunting when starting with nothing and having to create something complex. That’s where the building construction process comes in by working in stages that focus on specifics. These construction process steps make overwhelming projects possible. Let’s define those construction process stages and explain how to manage them. What Is the Construction Process? The construction process is the entire sequence of activities involved in creating a built structure, such as a building, bridge, road or infrastructure project. It…

There are many different types of construction. Most think of dwellings, but when driving past road crews tearing up the streets, that’s also an example of a construction project. In fact, there are many different types of construction projects. Let’s review different types of construction, defining and illustrating them so they are clear and understandable. We’ll also look at international building codes and how construction project management software helps deliver all types of construction more efficiently. 1. Residential Construction Likely the most familiar type of construction is residential. It refers to the process of building, renovating or remodeling homes and…

Construction projects are won through the construction bidding process. In a nutshell, construction bidding involves a project owner who wants to build a construction project and contractors who can provide construction services. Managing the construction bidding process and expanding your customer base without breaking the bottom line is a delicate art. Whether you’re a seasoned construction professional or new to the business, you can always learn more about submitting a construction bid! What Is Construction Bidding? Construction bidding describes the process of bid submission and approval between a construction company and its customer, but it can also describe how …

Scheduling a project is done in the planning phase. A project schedule gets into the details, including tasks and subtasks. A master schedule provides a more broad-stroke approach to scheduling, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less important. To understand the importance of a master schedule, we’ll define the term in project management, compare it to a project schedule and explain what it needs to include to thoroughly review the project. What Is a Master Schedule? A master schedule is a comprehensive high-level timeline that outlines the major phases, tasks and milestones of a project from start to finish. It serves as the central document that provides an overview of t…

Processes benefit businesses, enterprises and the field of project management, and one of the most important aspects of a successful process is seeing the process flow drawn out. A process flow diagram is a great tool to outline and clarify that process to everyone involved. But what is a process flow? We’ll explain, including the process flow diagram symbols and different types. Then, to further illustrate the advantage of using one, we’ll provide a couple of examples and throw in a free template to download. What Is a Process Flow? A process flow is a visual representation or diagram that shows the steps involved in a particular process. It outlines the sequences of t…

Contracts specify the terms of the agreement between an employer and a contractor for the execution of a construction project. Because these agreements are so diverse, there are many different types of construction contracts, each with its own benefits. One of these is called a cost-plus contract. What Is a Cost-Plus Contract? A cost-plus contract is a construction agreement between an owner and a contractor, in which the project owner reimburses the contractor for all incurred costs and pays an additional fee, which corresponds to the profit the contractor makes for executing the project. This means the owner is not agreeing to a set budget for things like materials an…

Once a project is approved, it’s likely that the execution will require goods and services outside the purview of the organization managing the work. The process of soliciting bids from third-party vendors and contractors is done through a document called a request for proposal or, more commonly, an RFP. It is through this channel that project managers collect interested parties and make a decision on who to contract with for the project. The best way to get familiar with this process is by using an RFP template, which allows you to fill in the blanks in order to produce a thorough RFP. We will provide some RFP templates you can use below, but first, let’s better underst…

In the context of product development and project management, requirements are the specifications or characteristics that a product or project deliverable must have to meet government regulations, achieve business goals, or satisfy the expectations of customers, project sponsors, or any other stakeholder group that’s vested in the project. To satisfy these requirements, there are lots of tasks that must be done in order to deliver a final project. That includes the features, functions and so forth. Tracing those features can ensure that none slip through the cracks, a process that’s best completed by using a requirements traceability matrix. If you’ve never heard of a r…

Construction is a field with a lot of disciplines. After all, it takes a lot of different craftsmen, engineers and more to assemble a building, bridge or any safe and integral structure. Every process is important to construction project management, especially construction engineering. But what is construction engineering and is it the same as civil engineering? Spoiler alert: it’s not. We’ll explain what a construction engineer is and how it differs from a civil engineer. We’ll then explore the different roles related to construction engineering management. What Is Construction Engineering? Construction engineering is the process of overseeing and managing a large-scal…

All projects are risky ventures and so is running an enterprise. Unexpected events, whether internal or external, can impact the schedule, budget and operations. Risk can have an even greater impact on larger, more complex projects or the organization that implements them, which is why enterprise risk management is so important. An enterprise risk management framework can mean the difference between a successful or failed project. Enterprise risk management software is critical to delivering a successful project. But first, one must understand the risk management process and risk management strategy. What Is Enterprise Risk Management? Enterprise risk management (ERM) i…

Construction contracts are legally binding documents between two parties outlining the terms and conditions of the working relationship between them, usually awarded after a construction bidding process. In this blog, we’ll explore the components, pros and cons of a cost reimbursement contract. What Is a Cost Reimbursement Contract? A cost reimbursement contract is an agreement between parties in a construction project that guarantees the owner reimburses the contractor for costs incurred while they work on the project. Reimbursement, however, is not unlimited. There is a ceiling. The contractor is not paid solely for the costs but is also guaranteed an additional payme…

Managing construction projects is complex and stressful. You may stick to your schedule and budget, but if your project doesn’t meet quality acceptance criteria, then you’re not just going to upset your stakeholders; you might face lawsuits. Quality means different things to different people, which is why you should adhere to construction quality control. It’s a quality management system that allows you to define what quality is, track it and make necessary changes to ensure those benchmarks are met. What Is Construction Quality Control? Construction quality control is a management system aimed at ensuring the final deliverable meets the standards and guidelines set by …