Project Management Software

I build content plans for a living, so I know a strong editorial calendar is more than a list of dates. It’s your team’s shared roadmap — bringing structure, visibility, and momentum to every project. From one-off campaigns to full content pipelines, the right template makes that magic happen. These three editorial calendar templates can… The post 3 Editorial Calendar Templates You’ll Actually Use (Picked by a Content Director) appeared first on project-management.com. View the full article

Project portfolio management software differs from project management software in that the former has to oversee many projects while the latter only involves one project. That’s going to require specific project portfolio management tools that can manage all those projects at once. To understand which is the best project portfolio management software for your organization, let’s first list the must-have project portfolio management tools and why they’re so important. Then we’ll rank the top 15 project portfolio management software products, detailing each. What Features Make the Best Project Portfolio Management Software? Project portfolio management (PPM) isn’t drastic…

Explore SEO project management templates built for campaign tracking, team collaboration, and on-page/off-page optimization. The post 7 Must-Have SEO Project Management Templates to Launch Your Campaigns Right and Keep Them on Track appeared first on project-management.com. View the full article

For consultants, time is quite literally money. Whether billing clients by the hour, managing multiple projects or tracking time for internal reporting, having reliable and efficient time tracking software is essential. The right tool captures billable hours accurately, streamlines invoicing, helps manage workloads and provides insights into how time is spent across clients and tasks. The best time tracking software for consultants offers features tailored to their unique workflows, like flexible time entry options, client-specific tracking, integrated invoicing and robust reporting. With mobile access, automatic timers and easy integration with accounting tools, consult…

The best way to track projects is with cloud-based project management software that connects every task, timeline and team member in one platform. It allows managers to see progress in real time, track performance metrics and make fast adjustments without relying on outdated spreadsheets or manual updates. Teams can plan workflows, assign responsibilities and visualize progress across multiple projects using interactive dashboards and automated reporting tools. This software gives organizations complete control and transparency, helping them deliver work on time and within budget while reducing the risk of miscommunication. What Is the Best Way to Track a Project? The b…

Microsoft Project is a project management software that’s commonly used by 35,000+ companies around the globe, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best tool. This forces some to seek a Microsoft Project alternative for effective collaboration and lower prices. As projects grow in complexity and workforces expand globally, the need for online project management tools is no luxury. There is no lack of MS Project alternatives to choose from, with varying degrees of usefulness and project management features. Microsoft has thrown its considerable weight into the ring with Microsoft Project. While MS Project has become an industry standard in project management, it comes with prob…

Microsoft Project is used by many project managers, especially at large organizations where it’s legacy software. But MS Project can be difficult to use. So, how do you use Microsoft Project? Our guide goes through a step-by-step process to help you maneuver through the byzantine program. See if Microsoft Project is right for you. If not, it might be time to explore a Microsoft Project alternative. ProjectManager, for instance, is a Microsoft Project alternative that offers nearly all the same features as Project in a modern, easy-to-use platform. Collaborate with your team using Gantt charts, kanban boards, dashboards, roadmaps and more. You can even manage and track y…

Creating a clear plan of action is essential for staying organized and meeting deadlines. Whether you’re managing a small team or a complex project, a good plan helps everyone understand their responsibilities and stay on track. Looking at a work plan example can give you ideas for structuring your own process and aligning your team around shared goals. The following work plan examples highlight different ways to organize tasks, timelines and budgets. By studying these examples, you can see what works best for your team and apply similar strategies to your own projects. Each work plan example offers practical takeaways that you can adapt to improve collaboration and prod…

Smartsheet is a popular project management tool that describes itself as a “work execution platform.” This web-based application is best known for its unique use of project management spreadsheets. However, spreadsheets might not be the best project management tool to handle time tracking, resource management or task management, which makes project managers look for Smartsheet alternatives. Why People Seek a Smartsheet Alternative There are many project management software tools on the market that offer similar feature sets. If you’re looking for a Smartsheet alternative, look no further. We’ve taken a look at some of the best Smartsheet alternatives for you—but first, l…

Understanding stakeholders is critical to the success of any project. A stakeholder map helps project managers visualize who is involved, their influence and their level of interest in the project. By mapping stakeholders effectively, teams can prioritize engagement, anticipate challenges and allocate resources efficiently. Using stakeholder map examples can guide new managers in creating their own maps tailored to their projects. Stakeholder map examples vary depending on project size, industry and complexity. Some maps focus on influence versus interest, while others categorize stakeholders by role, department or communication needs. Examining different examples provid…

Microsoft Planner is widely used by teams looking for a simple task management and collaboration tool within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. But while it’s easier to use than Microsoft Project, Planner has its own limitations. So, how to use Microsoft Planner effectively? This quick guide walks you through the main features and views so you can get the most out of the software. Understanding how to use Microsoft Planner is key to deciding if it’s the right fit for your team. While it’s helpful for basic task lists and lightweight planning, it doesn’t provide the robust project management features that larger teams often need. That’s why it’s important to explore whether Pla…

In today’s fast-paced work environment, teams rely on project planning and task management tools to stay organized and hit deadlines. Microsoft’s suite of productivity solutions offers several options, and Microsoft Planner has long been a favorite for its simplicity and integration with Microsoft 365. With the introduction of Planner Premium, users now have access to an upgraded version of the tool that offers more advanced functionality for managing projects and tasks. Planner Premium builds on the foundation of basic Microsoft Planner by adding features designed for more complex projects, including task dependencies, milestones and workload views. While MS Planner Pre…

Construction cost tracking is a critical process for managing expenses and staying within budget on any project. By monitoring costs in real time, teams can identify overruns, make adjustments and ensure projects remain financially viable. Accurate cost tracking helps owners, managers and contractors make informed decisions throughout the construction lifecycle. Effective construction project cost tracking also improves transparency and accountability. It allows project teams to compare planned versus actual costs, forecast future expenditures and optimize resource allocation. With the right tools and methods, construction cost tracking becomes a proactive process that r…

Project management examples show how planning, scheduling and execution principles are applied across different industries. They highlight real-world strategies for completing projects on time, staying within budget and achieving the desired outcomes. By examining project management examples from manufacturing, construction, software development and other sectors, teams can learn best practices and adapt them to their own work. These project management examples also demonstrate how tools and methodologies are used to manage complexity, coordinate resources and communicate progress. Whether it’s a small internal project or a large-scale initiative, seeing how other teams …

A RACI template is a project management tool that defines roles and responsibilities across tasks using four categories: Responsible, Accountable, Consulted and Informed. By creating a clear structure for decision-making, a RACI template helps avoid confusion and ensures every task has ownership and support. When first introduced, RACI charts were drawn out on paper or whiteboards for team alignment. Now, digital versions are available in project management software, though many teams still rely on spreadsheets. A RACI template in Google Sheets is a simple way to build a shared responsibility chart, and variations such as a RACI chart template for Google Sheets or a RACI…

Setting clear objectives and tracking measurable results is critical for aligning teams and driving business outcomes. An objectives and key results template, or an OKR template in Google Sheets, provides a simple way to document objectives, key results and progress updates in one centralized location. Whether you are setting goals for a small team or coordinating across departments, this template helps keep everyone focused on priorities and working toward the same outcomes. In this blog, we’ll walk you through a ready-to-use OKR template for Google Sheets that’s flexible enough to fit quarterly, monthly or annual goal-setting cycles. We’ll also share tips on how to ada…

Running a construction site takes coordination, attention to detail and clear communication between all stakeholders. From the moment equipment arrives on site to the final inspection, every phase needs to be carefully monitored to stay on schedule and within budget. Managing crews, deliveries and safety protocols while keeping the project owner updated requires a structured approach that minimizes downtime and keeps productivity high. Learning how to manage a construction site step by step ensures that no part of the process is overlooked. By breaking work into clear stages, project managers and site supervisors can plan resources, track progress and deal with issues be…

ClickUp and Monday are two of the more visible project management software products on the market. But is that because they’re good at marketing or a good project management tool? We set ClickUp vs. Monday in a battle royale and may the best app win. Looking at the match of Monday vs. ClickUp, both contenders come out of their corners strong. ClickUp is a feature-rich, highly collaborative work management tool and Monday is a customizable work management tool designed to help teams work more efficiently by tracking projects and workflows. But are either of these true project management tools? ClickUp vs. Monday both have weaknesses. ClickUp might have many features, but…

Project-based businesses have many options for software products that claim to help them do their work more efficiently. Many of those are Microsoft products, such as Microsoft Dynamics 365 Project Operations. They could have come up with a more efficient name, but, more importantly, does it actually help businesses manage their projects better? There’s only one way to find out. Let’s put Microsoft Dynamics 365 Project Operations to the test and even explore modules of the software, such as Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Project Service Automation. We’ll detail the key features, advantages and disadvantages of using Microsoft Dynamics 365 Project Operations. As with all Mic…

Managing a project is a team effort. Throughout the lifecycle of your project, it’s crucial to maintain communication with team members, executives, clients and other stakeholders. In order to do so, you will no doubt be sharing different types of files that contain data about the project. Depending on the project management tools that you use, you could end up with files of various types—and this can cause compatibility issues. One example of this is an MPP file. Unfortunately, since MPP files were not designed to be shared outside of Microsoft Project, the project management software that they are created in, trying to open an MPP file extension can cause confusion a…

Interviewers don’t just want to hear what you’ve done — they want proof you can deliver results. Here’s a list of project manager interview questions, why they matter, and how to answer them with confidence. The post Project Manager Interview Questions and How to Prepare appeared first on project-management.com. View the full article

Productivity begins with a to-do list. It’s the first step toward organizing your work and getting it done. To-do lists are essentially a repository of tasks, but they can be much more than that, especially if you’re using a to-do list for project management. To-do list apps can describe the work, prioritize it and more. Using a to-do list app to manage projects keeps you focused and limits distractions so you and your team can complete work in a timely manner. To-do list apps take a scrap of paper that most of us jot our tasks down on and turn into a visual task management tool for working more efficiently. What Features Make the Best To-Do List App? Let’s review the k…

Creating an annual work plan is one of the most effective ways to align your team around organizational goals. By setting a clear path for the year, you provide structure and direction while helping teams prioritize initiatives. An annual work plan serves as both a roadmap and a reference point, making sure efforts are focused where they matter most and resources are used efficiently to maximize impact. Whether you are leading a nonprofit, managing a corporate department or running a government program, the process of making an annual work plan gives you clarity on objectives and outcomes. It also provides transparency for stakeholders who want to see measurable progress…

A safety checklist is a practical tool that helps teams maintain consistent safety practices on site. Used before shifts, inspections and audits, a good checklist improves compliance, reduces incidents and creates a clear record of safety actions. By standardizing inspections across crews and sites, a safety checklist makes it easier to spot hazards early and take corrective action quickly. The right safety checklist template saves time by providing ready-made fields for hazards, controls and signatures while remaining easy to customize for specific trades or tasks. Whether printed for toolbox talks or used on a mobile device for real-time reporting, a safety checklist t…

In my years of experience working in marketing, I’ve learned that the success of a campaign depends on how well a team organizes and executes that idea across different tasks. For this, I use a marketing strategy template to give structure to my campaigns, especially when timelines and deliverables start overlapping. In this article, I… The post 7 Best Marketing Strategy Templates to Hit Deadlines & Campaign Goals appeared first on project-management.com. View the full article