Project Management Software

Manufacturing requires a lot of attention to detail and coordinating various moving parts to deliver the final product. To accomplish those goals and meet a tight deadline and an even tighter budget, you need these 23 free manufacturing Excel templates. ProjectManager has dozens of free templates to download. We curated our template page to select 23 of the essential manufacturing templates for Excel that all manufacturers can benefit from. It doesn’t hurt that they’re free, either. 1. Production Schedule Template A production schedule is how you ensure that you get your product into the hands of your customers on time. But a schedule is similar to keeping a lot of ball…

Successfully managing businesses, teams and projects means meeting deadlines and staying on budget, and Excel tracker templates and spreadsheets can help you do just that. While not as dynanmic as project management software, free templates for tracking tasks, time and costs are a great way to start reporting on progress. Using Excel to Track Tasks Managers have more control over their projects and operations with Excel tracking templates. Because of their quantitative nature, Microsoft Excel spreadsheet templates are a great tool to track data-rich metrics. Whether it’s a KPI dashboard for an overview of progress or a timeline template to visually organize tasks in one …

Product management is a way to organize the development, positioning and pricing of your product. It helps you manage every step of the process that sees your product go from concept to market. As you might imagine, having project management software helps plan, manage and track this work, but if you’re not using such tools, there are product management templates that can help you steer the course. ProjectManager is award-winning project management software, but we understand that not everyone is ready to upgrade right away. For those of you managing product development projects, here are some of the product management templates we offer for free download on our site. …

Any successful business requires thoughtful planning and well-structured documentation to stay focused and achieve growth. With the right business planning templates, organizations can capture goals, strategies and financial plans clearly, ensuring every stakeholder has consistent, accurate information to guide decision-making. Below, you’ll find our top 12 business planning templates for Microsoft Excel and Word. These resources help streamline strategic planning, improve analysis and support better communication across teams. Use them individually or as a complete toolkit to build a comprehensive business plan that investors, leaders and employees can trust. 1. Busine…

Construction document management is critical to keeping complex building projects organized, compliant and on schedule. With multiple stakeholders, evolving plans and strict regulatory requirements, construction teams need a reliable way to store, track and share documents in real time. Effective construction document control ensures that the right stakeholders are working from the latest versions, reducing errors, delays and costly rework while improving collaboration across the project lifecycle. What Is Construction Document Management? Construction document management is the process of organizing, storing and controlling all digital and physical construction document…

Learn the top eight causes of project failure and discover techniques to prevent delays, scope issues, and wasted resources. The post Top 8 Causes of Project Failure & What You Can Do About Them appeared first on project-management.com. View the full article

Securing funds to build from the ground up requires planning beyond traditional lending, and that is where construction financing becomes essential. Whether you’re developing a home or a commercial property, understanding how a construction loan works helps you anticipate cash needs, lender expectations and approval hurdles. With the right preparation, borrowers can reduce risk, speed approvals and move confidently from initial concept through completion before engaging contractors, finalizing designs or requesting funds from lenders early in the process. What Is Construction Financing? Construction financing refers to short-term funding used to cover the costs of buildi…

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

Find the best project management tool for your small team with this comprehensive guide covering the best software for different needs and budgets. The post 6 Best Project Management Software for Small Teams to Cut Workload appeared first on project-management.com. View the full article

Learn how to break down the project management process into five phases: Initiation, Planning, Execution, Monitoring & Control, and Closure. The post 5 Phases of Project Life Cycle and Why They Matter in 2025 appeared first on project-management.com. View the full article

Construction projects come in all shapes and sizes, but all must be monitored closely. This is why a project has many construction documents. Building a structure is a complicated job and every aspect of it requires construction drawings to plan on paper before the build begins. The importance of construction documents and drawings in construction project management cannot be understated. They set up the project for success by detailing everything from the site to the design and even the project administration. But what exactly are construction documents and what types of construction drawings are there? What Are Construction Documents? Construction documents help proje…

Businesses need all the help they can get. These 38 free Word and Excel templates for business help with everything from cost-benefit analysis to timesheets. Business templates are a great way to work consistently and not have to reinvent the wheel each time you need to do repetitive tasks. ProjectManager is more than great project management software, it’s a depository of dozens of free Word and Excel templates for business that you can download right now. 1. Excel Timeline Template for Business Planning This Excel timeline template is a versatile Excel template for business that can be used to visualize all the projects your business will execute in the future, identi…

You identify them, record them, monitor them and plan for them: risks are an inherent part of every project. Some project risks are bound to become problem areas—like executing a project over the holidays and having to plan the project timeline around them. But there are many risks within any given project that, without risk assessment and risk mitigation strategies, can come as unwelcome surprises to you and your project management team. That’s where a risk management plan comes in—to help mitigate risks before they become problems. But first, what is project risk management? What Is a Risk Management Plan? A risk management plan defines how the project’s risk manageme…

Unexpected delays can disrupt output, drain resources and complicate decision-making, which is why teams rely on a downtime report to bring clarity to operational slowdowns. This guide walks you through how the document works, how to create one effectively and what details matter most. You’ll also find an example and a free template to streamline your tracking process. /wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Downtime-report-template-image.png Get your free Downtime Report Template Use this free Downtime Report Template for Excel to manage your projects better. Download Excel File What Is a Downtime Report? A downtime report is a structured record that captures when o…

Construction project management certifications help professionals strengthen leadership skills, advance career goals and apply industry best practices across complex builds. While construction document management remains critical to project success, earning the right certification also builds planning, cost estimating and management expertise. This guide highlights the 27 best construction project management certifications worldwide for 2026. What Is a Construction Project Management Certification? A construction project management certification validates the skills and knowledge needed to plan, manage and deliver construction projects successfully. Earning a constructio…

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 disputes are an unfortunate but common reality in the construction industry, especially on complex projects with multiple stakeholders, tight timelines and significant financial risk. From payment issues and scope changes to design errors and contract interpretation, disagreements can arise at almost any stage of the construction process. Knowing how to handle construction disputes early and effectively can help protect working relationships, control costs and keep projects moving toward completion instead of litigation. What Is a Construction Dispute? A construction dispute is a disagreement between one or more parties involved in a construction project reg…

Managing construction operations across projects, teams and finances quickly becomes complex without the right systems in place. Construction ERP software brings structure to that complexity by centralizing data, processes and controls. For growing contractors and developers, choosing the right platform can improve visibility, reduce risk and support smarter decisions as operations scale. What Is Construction ERP Software? At its core, construction enterprise resource planning software, most commonly referred to as construction ERP software, is an integrated system that combines financial management, project controls, procurement, resource planning and reporting into a s…

A PMO, or project management office, can be an internal department or an external group or agency that defines and maintains the standards for a company’s project management. There are three types: supportive, controlling and directive and each has varying degrees of involvement. However, all three can use PMO templates to support project programs and portfolios. ProjectManager is project management software that’s more dynamic than static PMO templates, but if you’re not ready to upgrade, our site is rich with free project management templates for Excel and Word. We’ve collected 33 free templates that are suitable for a PMO. These templates cover everything from Gantt c…

Throughout the life of a project, you must report on a wide variety of information. This information will be compiled into different reports and passed along to managers, investors, clients and other stakeholders. From there, reports can be used to make project decisions and adjustments. Using project report templates, like a weekly status report template, ensure these reports are created quickly and effectively. Why Use a Project Report Template? No matter how thoroughly a project is planned, the unexpected is bound to happen. Project reports document these changes, whether good or bad, and inform future strategies. Without regularly completing project reports, valuabl…

Making an action plan is essential for turning goals into results. Whether you’re launching a new initiative or improving existing processes, you need well-structured documents that outline tasks, deadlines and accountability. Using action plan templates ensures every step is clearly defined and supported with the information required to execute successfully. Below are our top free action plan templates for Excel and Word. Use them individually or combine them to build a complete execution toolkit your team can follow with confidence and clarity. 1. Action Plan Template for Excel When a project moves from ideas into execution, an action plan becomes the roadmap that gui…

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…

Failure is an unavoidable part of any project process: it’s the degree of failure that makes the difference. If a task fails, there are ways to reallocate resources and get back on track. But a systemic collapse will derail the whole project. Why Is It Important to Analyze Failed Projects? What good can come from failure? A lot, actually. Sometimes a project reaches too far beyond its means and fails, which is unfortunate but can also serve as a teaching moment. If project managers don’t learn from their mistakes, then they’re not growing professionally and will revisit the same problem in future projects, programs or portfolios. Project managers and organizations can l…

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