Project management tools come as a type of office software that assists managers and team members in the planning, scheduling, monitoring and reviewing of projects. The first project management only supported manual entry and required hours of data entry and processing. The main purpose of this Project management tools is to assist with scheduling and resource allocation, but also to calculate various metrics like project profitability. Initial systems stored data in large databases which were difficult to manipulate.
This led to the creation of computer-aided project management (CAPM) software programs which significantly reduced the amount of time and effort needed for data input. CAPM software allowed easy access to project schedules, resource allocation, costs and other important details. The new program was much easier to use than paper-based methods.
The advent of OpenOffice in 2002 spurred the development of even more advanced applications for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and Linux which are now available free of charge on a number of websites. Project management tools are used in almost every business sector today, from construction to shipping, banking to health care and even engineering firms. Software programs are now being used even by individuals
Concepts
Let's start with an important concept: Project management software allows you to organize and track your project goals and tasks. For example, if you're managing a construction project, you'll need to keep track of how much time and money is spent on the project and whether it meets the deadline. If you're managing a sales team, for instance, you'll need to keep track of the number of leads and sales that each member generates.
The more complex the project is, the better it is to use a tool that allows you to input data related to your projects. For example, if you're a marketing specialist who has to organize a huge campaign for your company, it's best to use such a tool so that you can manage all stages of this project quickly and easily.
With such tools available today, many companies are able to create their own applications for managing projects effectively. Also, there are some specialized software products designed specifically for businesses. One such product is Microsoft Project software that allows users to create charts that reflect various aspects of any business process (e.g., the current level of revenue or profit).
Types
We have compiled the most comprehensive guide for the online project planner, and we are excited to share it with you. We hope it helps you find the right solution for your organization and budget.
We have created a list of questions that any project management software should answer to be competitive on the market:
1) What is your target audience?
2) How much control do you want to give to people who use your project management tool?
3) Do you need to collaborate with teams outside your company?
4) Do you have specific requirements regarding cloud storage and security of files?
5) Do you need other features, such as managing budgets and reporting tools?
6) How much time do you have before choosing a project management software?
There are dozens of vendors that offer project management tools; however, not all of them have tailored their solutions for specific industries. Here is our list of the top 10 products used in different industries:
1) Project Management Software for Construction
2) Project Management Software for Education Businesses
3) Project Management Software for Government Agencies
Functions
Online project management system is intended to assist in project management. It is designed to support a managing team and its project. These tools are used for planning, organizing and keeping track of projects, tasks, resource and documentation. The following are the various generic functions that most project management software offer:
- Task Management: The software provides a complete list of all tasks in an organized manner to the management team and other stakeholders so that they can manage their time efficiently, identify task deadlines, check the progress of each task and allocate resources effectively.
- Resource Management: The tool enables managers to identify the skills required for each task and manage their available resources accordingly.
- Employee Management: The employee management software tools provided by project management software helps in establishing a workflow structure that follows a particular order in completing tasks. It also allows managers to define entry and exit criteria for each stage of the project so that the team can move ahead successfully.
- Document Management: The software allows you to store all documents related to your project in one place, enabling easy access and retrieval at any point in time.
- Time Management: This feature allows you to measure how much time has been spent on each task, so that you can determine if there is sufficient budget left to complete