Project Management Software

Is Notion the right tool for those looking for a project management dashboard? A Notion dashboard would be ideal for monitoring project progress. It’s an essential tool for task management, whether using a business dashboard or personal dashboard. There’s no argument about dashboards. They are an important part of any collaborative work environment. But is there a Notion dashboard? Let’s find out, and if there is one, let’s see what it can and can’t do. Only then will readers be able to make an informed decision on the time-tracking tool that’s right for them. What Is Notion? Notion is an all-in-one workspace designed for organizing and managing various types of informa…

Project management planning is made up of many parts. There’s the schedule, the stakeholder matrix, the managing of resources. Speaking of the latter, there’s the matter of how you’re going to procure resources that require vendors of goods and services. That’s procurement management. The procurement plan is part of the overall project management plan. Over the life cycle of a project there are likely to be many points where it will intersect with vendors. This process needs to be managed. To manage these relationships and keep the flow of those goods and services moving without interruption requires a procurement management plan. If it seems like we’re going too fast, …

When working in an agile or scrum environment, teams plan their work by creating a product backlog, a document that lists all the activities and deliverables that must be done to complete a project. Then, once a product backlog has been created, teams execute work in sprints, a short period of time from one to four weeks. Because of their short length, agile teams need to constantly prioritize the tasks defined in the product backlog through a process known as backlog refinement, or backlog grooming. What Is Backlog Refinement? Backlog refinement is the process of identifying and prioritizing the most critical product backlog items for an upcoming sprint, which is done …

Big things coming from small beginnings might sound like a cliche, but it’s rooted in truth. Project managers understand that before embarking on large endeavors, it’s best to test the waters. The phrase for that in project management is a pilot project. What is a pilot project? We’ll get to that and the industries that use a pilot plan before initiating big, expensive and complex projects. We’ll then explain how to execute a pilot project plan, what should be included, the benefits of doing so and much more. What Is a Pilot Project? A pilot project is a small-scale, preliminary study or test run of a new concept, process, product or service before full-scale implementa…

Do cross-functional teams lead to greater project success? It depends on who you ask. Some people believe cross-functional teams can be very productive, given they have clear governance, accountability, specific goals, suitable project management tools, as well as the organization to invest in and prioritize their success. Usually, cross-functional teams are created to spark innovation, break bureaucratic boundaries and reduce production cycle times by granting a more collaborative environment. Others argue that cross-functional teams just aren’t worth it. According to a study cited in the Harvard Business Review, 75% of cross-functional teams are dysfunctional. The stu…

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…

Projects are made up of tasks. Each of those tasks needs to be completed to meet certain quality standards. However, they also have to be done safely and, often, under specific conditions or regulatory requirements. A method statement is a document that ensures tasks check these boxes. We’ll explain what a method statement is, when it should be used and what should be included to help with writing one. To ensure that nothing is left out of this process, readers can also download a free method statement template to help them get started. What Is a Method Statement? A method statement is a document that outlines the step-by-step process for completing a specific task or a…

Whether you’re managing a project in construction or manufacturing, keeping costs down is paramount. The lower your costs, the higher your profits. It’s as simple as that. This is why cost control techniques are so important in project management and business administration. To understand cost control methods, let’s first define what cost control is and then we’ll explore the steps you can take to implement cost control. There are also a number of cost control techniques that can help, which we’ll also outline. Learn how strategic cost management techniques can help you better manage construction or manufacturing projects. What Is Cost Control? Cost control is a practic…

Just because a project is pitched doesn’t mean it’s the right project. Organizations have to explore the proposal and determine if it’s a good fit for them in terms of risk, reward, resources and so on. That’s why there’s a feasibility report. What is a feasibility report? We’ll answer that, show what should be included and even add a feasibility report example to show what it would look like in a real-world scenario. Then, we’ll add links to some related free templates to help with the feasibility study report. What Is a Feasibility Report? A feasibility report in project management is a detailed analysis that evaluates the practicality, risks and potential success of …

Different methodologies like PRINCE2 work for different projects, industries, tools and teams. These project management methodologies can be approached rigidly, or can be mixed, where a hybrid project management methodology of two or more are used to respond to the unique aspects of a project environment. Project managers who aren’t based in the United Kingdom might not be intimate with the PRINCE2 methodology of managing a project, which is the UK government standard. Although foreign to some outside of the United Kingdom, there’s still much to be gained from the PRINCE2 project management method, even if it isn’t adopted in its entirety. We’ll go over the main compone…

Key takeaways Embarking on the journey of enhancing your website’s visibility can be daunting, especially if you’re new to the realm of SEO. A fundamental step in this process is conducting effective keyword research, which serves as the cornerstone of organic growth by driving traffic to your site. To streamline this task, various free templates… The post Top Keyword Planning Project Management Template appeared first on project-management.com. View the full article

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…

Project management is a complex discipline requiring structured methodologies to ensure success. The Project Management Institute (PMI) has developed the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) as a global standard, providing a comprehensive framework for managing projects effectively. The PMBOK outlines essential concepts, best practices and industry standards that help project managers streamline their processes. Additionally, it serves as the foundation for PMI certifications, ensuring professionals acquire the skills needed to navigate diverse project challenges. What Is the PMBOK? The PMBOK is a globally recognized standard that provides best practices and guid…

Just as one wouldn’t drive a car without a dashboard as it provides valuable information on the vehicle’s speed, gas level and so on, no construction project manager should try to deliver construction projects without a construction project dashboard. A construction dashboard is one of the pillars of construction project management. Project management and program management both recommend using a construction project management dashboard and we’ll explain why. In the following blog, we break down what construction project managers should include in their construction management dashboard and even offer a free downloadable construction dashboard template to help get start…

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…