Project Management Software

There’s a change order process to manage when there are requests for something new or altered in a construction project. A variation order is also instrumental in managing change. This is especially important in construction, where the project often undergoes many changes. What is a variation order? We’ll define the term and explain when to use one and who requests and approves it. Then we’ll break down the components of variation orders and illustrate how they work in a real-life situation by providing an illustrated example. What Is a Variation Order? A variation order is a formal document issued to modify the original contract terms, typically concerning the scope of…

Construction teams rely on clear updates to keep projects moving forward. A solid construction progress report helps track work completed, flag issues early and align teams and stakeholders. With effective construction progress reporting, you gain visibility into schedules, costs and performance so everyone knows where the project stands and what comes next. Let’s explore this topic so you and your team can generate more effective reports. What Is a Construction Progress Report? A construction progress report is a structured update that tracks how a construction project is performing against its plan. It documents completed work, current activities, upcoming tasks and an…

A well-organized construction site logistics plan keeps materials, equipment and people moving efficiently across the jobsite. From delivery schedules to storage locations and traffic flow, a clear construction logistics plan helps reduce delays, improve safety and control costs. In this guide, we’ll break down what is a construction site logistics plan, why it matters and how a strong site logistics plan construction teams can rely on supports smoother project execution. What Is a Construction Site Logistics Plan? A construction site logistics plan outlines how people, materials, equipment and vehicles move through a jobsite. It defines site access, storage locations, t…

Construction projects generate significant waste from demolition, excavation and material use, which can impact budgets and the environment. A well-structured construction site waste management plan helps teams reduce waste, control costs and stay compliant with local regulations. By outlining how materials are handled, reused and disposed of, teams can improve sustainability and efficiency across all stages of construction. Understanding what is a construction site waste management plan helps contractors streamline operations while meeting environmental standards. It supports responsible sourcing, ensures regulatory compliance and promotes better collaboration among sta…

A project is like a car; it starts somewhere and moves somewhere else. No one would think of taking that trip without a dashboard to monitor their speed, gas levels and other important data. The same is true with a project, which is why we’re going to write about dashboard examples. First, we’ll answer the question: What is a dashboard? Then we’ll move on to what is typically included in a dashboard and illustrate some dashboard examples. For each, we’ll list the type of metrics that they monitor. We’ll end with a few free downloadable dashboard templates for a hands-on idea of how they work. What Is a Dashboard? A dashboard in project management is a visual tool that p…

A Gantt chart is a project management tool used to view project tasks scheduled over a time period, and provides information on overall project progress. The post What Is a Gantt Chart? appeared first on project-management.com. View the full article

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…

What Are Deliverables In Project Management? Projects produce deliverables, which are simply the results of project activities. Project deliverables can be big or small, and their number varies depending on the project. They’re agreed upon by the project management team and stakeholders during the project planning phase. Put another way, there are inputs and outputs in any type of project. Inputs are what you put into the project, such as data, resources, etc., and the outcomes are the deliverables. Again, those deliverables vary greatly. For example, a project deliverable can be either a product or service or it can be the documentation that’s part of the project closur…

The project manager is on the ground, running the team and keeping the daily operations of a project running smoothly. But who looks after the project manager? In project management, that position is called a project director. Project management tends to be a hierarchical methodology that has numerous tiers of command. If you’re looking for a job or need to fill an open position, you’re in luck. The below job descriptions are very precise. Let’s take a look at a project director and learn what they do. What Is a Project Director? A project director is a person responsible for leading a team of project managers, which can also include contractors, sub-contractors, softwa…

Projects need a variety of resources to be executed and delivered successfully. In most cases, these resources come from a sponsoring organization or project sponsor. What Is a Project Sponsor? A Definition A project sponsor is an individual who offers financial resources to fund a project. Besides securing the project financing, a project sponsor might also propose the project’s business case, establish a project vision and set the project governance guidelines. The project sponsor is also usually responsible for the project’s return on investment and the impact it has on the organization. Once the project is approved, the project sponsor supervises the project manageme…

A RACI matrix assigns clear roles for each team member for the duration of a project. Every member of the project team is assigned a clear role and expectations: The post What Is a RACI Matrix? Definition, Examples, Uses appeared first on project-management.com. View the full article

The Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM) “traces ” the project’s deliverables by establishing a thread for each requirement—from the project’s initiation to the final implementation. The post What is a Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM)? appeared first on project-management.com. View the full article

Retainage in construction is a key practice that helps keep projects on track and ensures work meets quality standards. By holding back a portion of payment until project milestones are completed, owners and contractors stay focused on timely delivery and problem-free execution. Using retainage in construction promotes accountability, encourages careful workmanship and supports smoother project management, helping teams avoid delays, minimize disputes and maintain consistent progress from start to finish on every construction project. What Is Retainage in Construction? Retainage in construction is the practice of withholding a portion of a contractor’s payment until a pr…

Whether it’s investors or customers, stakeholders are important to every project. But what is a stakeholder? There’s more than one answer to that question. Let’s take some time to define what a stakeholder is, examples of stakeholders and free stakeholder templates that can help with stakeholder management. What Is a Stakeholder? A stakeholder is either an individual, group or organization that’s impacted by the outcome of a project or a business venture. Stakeholders have an interest in the success of the project and can be within or outside the organization that’s sponsoring the project. Stakeholders are important because they can have a positive or negative influence …

There’s always plenty of project management paperwork to create, get approved, file and archive. All project documents are important, but the statement of work (SOW) is easily one of the most important because it’s made at the outset of a project and outlines everything that needs to go into your project. Using effective project planning tools and a thorough and well-written statement of work (SOW) will set you up to successfully lead a project over the finish line on schedule and within budget. What Is a Statement of Work (SOW)? The statement of work (SOW) is a legally binding document that captures and defines all the work management aspects of your project. You’ll no…

For any company to profit from a product, there must be a strategic plan in place to produce just enough to meet that need. Create too few products, and there’s a missed financial opportunity. Create too much, and money is wasted in production and warehousing. Aggregate planning is a technique to create an equilibrium between demand and capacity. It’s something every company that is producing something needs to know. Let’s take a look at what aggregate production planning is and some aggregate planning strategies. What Is Aggregate Planning? Aggregate planning is a method for analyzing, developing and maintaining a manufacturing plan with an emphasis on uninterrupted, c…

Discover the principles and benefits of agile project management. Learn how to implement agile methodologies for efficient project delivery. The post What Is agile Project Management? An Ultimate Guide for Flexible & Smarter Teams appeared first on project-management.com. View the full article

Projects that employ contractors or work with suppliers and service providers need to manage their procurement process. This is usually started by an invitation to tender that the organization initiating the project will send out. Why do they send an invitation to tender, what is it and who uses it? We will answer those questions below. We’ll also outline what goes into a thorough invitation to tender and then illustrate the process with an example to make it clear. What Is an Invitation to Tender? Let’s start with a definition. An invitation to tender is a formal document issued by a company or organization to invite suppliers, contractors or service providers to submi…

Before defining an issue log, let’s define project issues. An issue is any roadblock or unintended impact that directly affects your project’s timeline and or performance. It’s different than a risk, which can be defined as a potential problem or future issue that might happen in your project. An issue is something that has already come up in your project, and you need to identify and track that issue immediately. What Is an Issue Log? An issue log is a simple list or spreadsheet that helps managers track the issues that arise in a project and prioritize a response to them. We have created an Excel Issue Log template you can download for free. It’s an easy way for you to…

Technology projects move fast and things change on a dime. Having a clear and structured plan is essential to aligning IT initiatives with broader business goals. That’s where an IT roadmap comes in. An IT strategy roadmap is a planning tool that outlines how an organization will evolve its technology over time, covering everything from infrastructure upgrades and software development to cybersecurity improvements and cloud migration strategies. Before we get to all that, though, we’ll define what an IT roadmap is, what should be included in one and how you can create one that supports both long-term vision and short-term execution. To help you get started, we’ve also in…

Asana is one of the most popular tools for teams looking to organize their work—but what is Asana, exactly? Is it a task management software or a full project management solution? The answer lies somewhere in between. Asana helps teams plan, assign, and track tasks while also managing complex projects through timelines, workflows, and dashboards. It’s designed to improve collaboration, eliminate confusion, and keep everyone on the same page. In this guide, we’ll explain what Asana is, how it works, its key features, and what pricing options are available for teams of all sizes. What Is Asana? Asana is a task management tool founded in 2008 by former Facebook executives.…

Businesses go through a lot. Managers must always be aware of the internal and external factors that can impact their business growth such as economic fluctuations, new competitors, new market trends and more. One of the most common threats to any company is called business disruption. Business disruption happens whenever a radical change occurs and affects how companies compete in a given industry. An example of business disruption could be the development of a new technology that renders the current methods useless. In this case, what can business managers do? Execute a business impact analysis (BIA). Business impact analysis is an important tool to help plan for the …

Projects are expensive. There are labor costs, material costs, overhead and operational costs. When a contractor bids on a construction project or a manufacturer takes on a job, they need to have an accurate forecast of the price for the project to make a profit, which is why job costing is so important. Making accurate estimates of construction costs requires an understanding of job costing, knowing what a job cost sheet is and what needs to be included in that costing sheet. We’ll go over all, plus explain when to use job order costing and provide an example of a job cost sheet to make sure the definition is clear. What Is Job Costing? Job costing or job order costing…

All businesses must make money in order to remain solvent and stay in business. The need for profitability is clear—how you get there is the tricky part. One way is to deliver more value to your customers while creating less waste for the business. This is commonly called lean project management. What Is Lean Project Management? Lean project management is just like traditional project management in that it follows a structured project life cycle, uses formal project management documentation, and aligns with core principles, procedures standards for project initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closure. However, what sets it apart is the integration of Lean m…

The popularity of applications to help teams organize their tasks, resources and more has reached a point where every major software company has a list-making product. So it’s no surprise that there’s a Microsoft Lists, but is MS Lists the best list-making app on the market? To find out, let’s define what Microsoft Lists is, look at its features and explore how to use MS Lists. We’ll also get into details about pricing and plans, pros and cons and how Microsoft Lists compares to other products by Microsoft. What Is Microsoft Lists? MS Lists grew out of SharePoint lists and facilitates tracking and organizing tasks. Project teams use it both personally and professionally…