Project management software - Definition and Overview

Microsoft Project 2000 showing a simple Gantt chart

Allegedly, the first software support tool for project management was developed by Datasaab for their computer D21 in the early 1960s. It was tailored to support the PERT model. Nowadays project planning software is widely used and abused.

The software industry research company, Gartner (http://www.gartner.com/), periodically publish the "Project Management Software Magic Quadrant Report", a review of major packages (2002 report in pdf here (http://www.spectrum.com.br/artigos/projetos/Niku_Gartner.pdf)).

Problems with project management software

• Few packages are built around a sound project management method. What is even worse, e.g. Microsoft Project encourages counterproductive behavior by inexperienced project managers by offering as the default start-up view the Gantt chart. This encourages too early focus on task identification and scheduling vs. proper formulation of project objectives and final deliverables. So, such packages implicitly force upon an unsuspecting user an unsound project management process.
• Many packages also offer e-mail integration, which encourages automatic assignment of tasks and due dates. This universally leads to counterproductive, date-driven behavior (see: critical chain) and may contribute to improper setting of team members' performance expectations.

Proprietary non-internet packages

Critical path support

• TrackerOffice (http://www.trackeroffice.com) - A groupware solution which leverages Microsoft Outlook / Exchange
• Tracker Suite (http://www.trackersuite.com) - A groupware solution which leverages Lotus Notes / Domino
• Microsoft Project -- a part of Microsoft Office, [1] (http://www.microsoft.com/office/project/default.asp)
• Primavera -- a high end solution, [2] (http://www.primavera.com/)
• Artemis -- a high end solution, [3] (http://www.aisc.com/)
• Asta Powerproject -- mid-range solution, [4] (http://www.astadev.com)
• Projetex - Project management software for expert teams (http://www.projetex.com)

Critical chain support

• ProChain (add-on to Microsoft Project), http://www.prochain.com/index.asp
• Sciforma, http://www.realization.com
• CCPM+ (http://www.advanced-projects.com/CCPM+.htm) (add-on to Microsoft Project), http://www.advanced-projects.com
• Asta Powerproject -- mid-range solution which includes Buffer Management [5] (http://www.astadev.com)

Open source software

• http://www.tutos.org/ A powerful web-based multilingual tool to manage the the organizational needs of small groups, teams, departments .... It contains calendar, mailbox, bug-tracking, project/product management, task management, document management,
• http://webcollab.sourceforge.net A light-weight, easy collaborative web-based system for projects and project management; suited to tracking multiple projects and innumerable small tasks across an organisation of any size. Avoid reminder notes stuck all over your desk.
• GanttPV -- project scheduling software for Windows & Mac, scriptable w/ python. http://www.pureviolet.net/ganttpv/
• PHProjekt -- an open-source, internet-based groupware suite, http://www.phprojekt.com/index.php
• DotProject -- open-source, internet-based, in early development, http://www.dotproject.net/index.php
• MrProject -- was a part of GNOME but MrProject has been renamed as Planner (See next entry). There is no new development on MrProject and all new development is now done on Planner.
• Planner -- a GNOME tool for planning, scheduling and tracking projects and is released under a GPL license. This evolved out of the MrProject code. The current developers of Planner include the original developers who now work for Imendio http://www.imendio.com/ . Planner uses an XML file format or PostgreSQL database to store the project details and is written in C programming language. See http://www.imendio.com/projects/planner/ for more details on where to get the code or how to join mailing lists.
• KPlato -- a project management application KOffice suite (in early stages of development), http://www.koffice.org/kplato/
• Project/Open -- open-source, internet-based "Project-ERP", with an emphasis on project collaboration and financials, http://www.project-open.com/
• Gantt-Project -- written in Java for all OS http://ganttproject.sourceforge.net/
• Many more listed in the external link part of this page

Guideline of choosing them

• large developer group: >5 members
• large user group
• both online(web-based) and offline(local machine) work model
• multiuser, multigroup, multiproject,multilingual
• recuring tasks support: example: monthly task define
• To track multiple projects and innumerable small tasks
  • tasks and their dependencies: multiple dependencies: n to n dependence.
  • Gantt graph
  • Tree view for project and nested tasks and subtasks
  • Task completion statistics: status reports
  • archived projects/tasks
  • project calendars & reminder

• resource management
  • resource constrains
  • resource usage tables
  • project accounting statements

• extensible: easy to add new components or be plugged into existing components
  • bugtracker
  • email notification
  • forums
  • wikis

Proprietary internet-based

• Project Arena -- http://www.projectarena.com
• Celoxis -- http://www.celoxis.com/
• ProjectWeb -- http://www.infograph.com/web-project-management.htm
• Basecamp -- http://www.basecampHQ.com
• Infowit Creative Manager -- http://www.infowit.com/
• Project.Net -- http://www.project.net
• eProject -- http://www.eproject.com
• Projectplace -- http://www.projectplace.com
• TrioProject -- http://www.trioform.com/project_management_software.htm
• ValleySpeak Project Server -- http://www.valleyspeak.com/ps.html
• CoP -- http://www.s-m-c.de

External links

• Directory of project management software -- http://www.infogoal.com/pmc/pmcswr.htm
• Open Directory "Top: Computers: Software: Project Management" -- http://www.dmoz.org/Computers/Software/Project_Management/
• http://www.linux.org/apps/all/Office/Project_Management.html
• http://sourceforge.net/softwaremap/trove_list.php?form_cat=130 sourceforege software map: Topic-> Office/Business-> Scheduling

Books

• Eric Uyttewaal. Dynamic Scheduling With Microsoft(r) Project 2000: The Book By and For Professionals. ISBN 0970827601
• George Suhanic. Computer-Aided Project Management. ISBN 0195115910
• Richard E. Westney. Computerized Management of Multiple Small Projects. ISBN 0824786459

See also

• list of project management topics
  • Project accounting