Project Management Software

The secret to agile and scrum project management is simplicity, even in the face of complexity. And although scrum ceremonies are simple, they can be difficult to master. Scrum requires self-organizing teams that can quickly solve problems in agile environments. To provide transparency and regular communication amid such environments, scrum ceremonies are held. Scrum ceremonies or agile ceremonies are meetings that are unique to scrum and agile teams. What Are Scrum Ceremonies? Scrum ceremonies are meetings that ensure that the scrum master, product owner and development team are in-sync. These ceremonies, or scrum events, are held at key instances in the agile sprint cy…

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…

Download our project planning templates and follow our guide outlines to help ensure project success. The post Top Free Project Plan Templates appeared first on project-management.com. View the full article

Creating professional reports can be time-consuming, but the right template can make the process much easier. Whether you need to present data, analyze performance or share project updates, using a well-designed template saves you time and ensures a polished look. In this roundup, we’ve gathered these free report templates that are easy to customize and perfect for any purpose. From business reports to project summaries, these templates will help you create clear, organized and visually appealing documents in no time. But templates aren’t a perfect solution. Project management software offers a more efficient reporting method for those ready to upgrade. Not ready to make…

Scheduling tasks to meet deadlines, assign resources and estimate costs are fundamental to the planning phase in project management. One of the most important tools for project managers to accomplish this is project timeline software. We review the best project timeline software, listing pros, cons, pricing and more to help customers make an informed decision. Use this guide to help find the right project timeline software for your projects. What Is Project Timeline Software? Project timeline software is designed to help project managers, teams and stakeholders visually plan, track and manage the project schedule. It provides a timeline view of tasks, milestones, deadli…

Project management is a unique field. It exists in many industries because a “project” applies to almost anything that achieves a goal or produces a deliverable. This can include anything from software development to construction. Nearly every industry has projects of varying lengths and complexities—prompting a diverse list of project manager titles. However, project managers are not a monolithic group. They have a wide variety of skills, which include technical know-how, business acumen and leadership skills. Additionally, within the field of project management, there’s a range of project manager titles and roles, which we will explain further. /wp-content/uploads/202…

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…

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…

KEY TAKEAWAYS In project management, work is a maelstrom. Your team is receiving requests from a dozen different directions. Answer one email and there’s already three chats waiting for you. Every meeting generates four new projects. As project manager, you are the captain and you need to steer away from the storm. Incorporate some practical… The post The Best Way to Handle Incoming Requests appeared first on project-management.com. View the full article

We tested the best Gantt chart software options out there to help you make the right selection for your projects. But before we get into our list of the best Gantt chart software, we’ll first explain what Gantt chart software is, what the key features are and why it is so beneficial when managing a project. What Is Gantt Chart Software? Gantt chart software is a type of project management software that’s used to schedule projects and track their progress using Gantt charts and other complementary project planning, scheduling, monitoring and reporting features. This software can either be cloud based or stored in your PC. Gantt chart software is commonly used in the proj…

KEY TAKEAWAYS 5 Most Commonly Used Visual Project Management Tools There are many ways to visually represent your projects to make the communication better. Great visual representations help you compress enormous amount of information in a single sheet of paper. In this post, I will cover the top 5 visual representations in project management. Work… The post 5 Ways to Visually Manage your Projects appeared first on project-management.com. View the full article

Planning a project only gets you so far. You also have to monitor your progress and performance to track if you’re on schedule and within budget. Then there are your stakeholders whose expectations must be managed. That’s where Excel report templates come in. Project reports are tools that project managers use to extract valuable project data. Excel report templates are a great tool to determine how you’re doing and keep your stakeholders updated. Using Excel Report Templates for Project Management The great thing about Excel report templates is that they’re free to download. Below are 10 essential Excel report templates that you can use now to get valuable data on your…

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 Navigating the complex climate of project management with tight timelines and limited resources is tricky, and with the demands of the process, effective leadership becomes crucial for success. Leadership in project management is more than just assigning tasks. It also involves creating a vision, inspiring and motivating the team, making informed decisions, and… The post Leadership in Project Management: Why It Is an Essential Skill appeared first on project-management.com. View the full article

Smooth project transitions rely on effective handovers. Utilize these free project handover checklists & templates to ensure success. The post Project Handover Templates & Checklists for Effective Transitions appeared first on project-management.com. View the full article

What Is Logistics Management? Logistics management is the process of managing the activities that are required to transport goods from its source to the final customer. That process involves a series of logistics activities such as order processing, material handling, packaging, warehousing, transportation and customer service management. The logistics management process is used for tangible goods such as raw materials, finished products, equipment and machinery to food or other consumable items. A person who works in this field is called a logistician or logistics manager. Who Is a Logistics Manager? A logistics manager plays an integral role in overseeing the flow of …

What Is a Business Case? A business case is a project management document that explains how the benefits of a project outweigh its costs and why it should be executed. Business cases are prepared during the project initiation phase and their purpose is to include all the project’s objectives, costs and benefits to convince stakeholders of its value. A business case is an important project document to prove to your client, customer or stakeholder that the project proposal you’re pitching is a sound investment. Below, we illustrate the steps to writing one that will sway them. The need for a business case is that it collects the financial appraisal, proposal, strategy and…

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…

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…

Agile and Waterfall are two popular project management methodologies. Learn the differences between Agile and Waterfall and which one is best for you. The post Agile vs Waterfall Methodology: Differences & How to Choose appeared first on project-management.com. View the full article

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

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…

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…

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…

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…