Welcome IDC 6110 classmates! Below is a list of project management tools that you may find helpful in this course and in your career as a project manager. With Dr. Hopper’s permission, I placed the tools you found for our Project Management Resources and Tools discussion on this page (and placed your name by your entries).
Feel free to post additional sources using the Reply feature at the bottom of the page.
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Writeboard
Writeboard is a free web application that allows you to collaborate and version control documents. Similar to Google Docs, you can use this tool among a team or stakeholders to work on vision statement, draft planning docs, etc. It’s also an easy way to create sign-up sheets and quick surveys.
SurveyMonkey
Though maybe not thought of as a project management tool, SurveyMonkey is a great way to create questionnaires and survey stakeholders and team members throughout the project management life cycle. For example, you can create a list of questions for stakeholders to answer on project expectations before holding a kickoff meeting. SurveyMonkey is free and also provides a variety of reporting features that will allow you to create quick charts to add to your project documents.
Google Apps
Google Apps provides this subsection of tools specifically for project management. Most of the applications are web-based and free, though some require a monthly service charge. You can search by features, and most products have been reviewed by users.
OpenProj
OpenProj is a free project management tool for desktops. OpenProj is also open source, which means developers can “look under the hood” at the code and even make add-ons and updates. The software is, essentially, a free, open-source version of MS Project. It is available for all platforms, including Mac and Linux.
Colabtive
Colabtive is an online project management tool, one that uses “cloud” technology (stores information on the on internet servers, not your computer). Colabtive provides basic project management tasks, such as creating task lists and milestones, as well as file management and instant messaging. The tool is geared toward small to large businesses, but the company does perform installations for larger companies for a price.
Project Management Wiki
ProjectManagementWiki.org is a wiki dedicated to project management. The stated goals of the website are to act as a knowledge base for project management and discuss how to integrate wikis into project management. The website seems interesting on the surface, but it is extremely underdeveloped. There are links to a few articles and some test projects, but the intent is there and the potential for this to be a great project management tool/repository of knowledge definitely exists. This article from AllPM.com discusses some of the benefits of using wikis in project management. Since ProjectManagementWiki.org seems to be a bust, check out The Trac Project for hosting space and wiki layouts dedicated to project management. (John Weaver)
Gantter
Gantter is a web-based project management application that is self-described as an online Microsoft Project. The layout seems simple enough and a lot of the necessary tools are there. There are a ton of preset templates and the interface appears to be compatible with multiple file types. No log in or registration necessary – I was able to play around with stuff by simply clicking the start now button on the website. (John Weaver)
Planzone
Planzone provides software so you can manage tasks, plan milestones, create reports, and manage documents and files. A free trial is available and it’s easy to use. The site provides helpful blog posts and a Firefox add-on.
(Kristine Rooks)
Intervals
Intervals () is a time and task management application that provides a calendar for planning project milestones and exports data to QuickBooks. It’s user-friendly and web-based so it doesn’t need to be installed. 30-day free trial. (Kristine Rooks)
Celoxis
Celoxis runs under SaaS, 14.95 month. Gets you 500mb storage, and what looks like very rich Microsoft Project look-a-alike interface. The tasklists and gannt charts are impressive. 30-day free trial. (Bill Allen)
Liquid Planner
Liquid Planner is a Saas application that starts at $25 per month:
Their interface looks quite elegant. 30 day free trial. (Bill Allen)
Manymoon
Manymoon is a project management application from Google. Sign up is easy if you already have a Google account. On entry into the app, the user is asked to name the project and then is given the choice to share the project with the team. Once the team is invited, the project manager can create and assign task, share documents, and organize team members. The program can be accessed from anywhere since it is located on the web. (Stephanie Singleton)
Smartsheet
Smartsheet is an upgrade to the typical spreadsheet. Users can add discussion, share documents, create and share task. Since the layout of the application is similar to a typical spreadsheet, users can start using the program with ease. The spreadsheet keeps a history of the changes on each cell, a summary report and allows alerts and reminders. (Stephanie Singleton)
Management Help
Management Help provides free articles focused on development of:
These articles are copious and easy to retrieve online. There are 650 topics in the library, that cover 10, 000 links, with recommendations for related books. Additionally, the topics stored on this site are practical and easily applied to real life, regarding personal, professional and organizational development. (Thembi Sutton)
Gantt Project
Gantt Project is a free download is an easy to use Gantt chart based project scheduling and management tool. Some features include:
Huddle
Huddle is an online project management tool that allows users to organize content for projects, connect with others, and share project ideas. This unique online project management resource allows you to create dashboards, so that your project information is easy to find. You can also create project workspaces and invite as many participants as you would like. Huddle also has simple text and description search functionality to make it easy to find information and allows you to archive completed projects. As an added feature, Huddle also gives you the option to export your projects to save on your own hard drive. Basic service is free and allows storage for up to 100MB. If you need to hold more projects of up to 2G, the cost is $40 month. (Adenike Brewington)
5pm
5pm project management is an online project management resource that has project organization, collaboration, and reporting features. You can create and maintain projects in one central location, share files by email, and 5pm even has an interactive timeline to help keep your project on track. You do not have to install any software and you can purchase month-to-month access to avoid a long-term commitment. There is a free 14-day trial and prices start at five users for 10 projects and up to 1G of space for $18 month. Unlike Huddle, there are limitations to the number of users you can include on a project. (Adenike Brewington)
TimeFox
TimeFox is an easy to use and simple project management tool for creative companies developed by Function Fox Systems, Inc. This web-based project management tool comes in three levels. TimeFox Lite, which I used as an independent consultant and loved, is a good tool for freelancers desiring to manage individual projects, track the time spent on select projects, and manage clients. TimeFox Classic is for small creative agencies. This allows managers to track resources (freelancers and staff) time spent on projects, manage customer information and projects and prepare invoices. TimeFox Premier is a complete suite that provides additional project management solutions including Gannt charts, reporting, in addition to the solutions provided in Lite and Classic. The company offers a 30-day free trial of the version most suited for individual or business needs. (Michelle Glaze)
Basecamp
Basecamp is easy-to-use project management tool that makes collaborating with team members and customers easy and efficient. I’ve used this project management tool as both and customer and as consultant and I found it to be very helpful in management projects and sharing project files. As a customer, I was able to download documents and share feedback with the virtual assistant company I used easily. As a freelancer, I could easily share files with my clients, review feedback and send document corrections and updates. It is also a good tool for customers wanting to request new projects, received and approve quotes and share background documentation. I loved this tool by 37signals, LLC. (Michelle Glaze)
Project Smart
This British-based site offers articles, white papers, methods, and several free templates related to project management. Contributions come from the global PM community but are subject to editorial review. This PRINCE2 PM methodology grew out of this knowledge.
The resources available here cover all areas of project management as well as an exchange of ideas in the Forums section. (Laurie Bennett)
CoMindWork
CoMindWord is an online project management tool that helps with project collaboration. This online tool allows users to create:
Interactive team assignments and schedules
This tool is free to get started and will allow you to create 200 records or one project for free. The cost is $49 each month for an additional 5000 records or approximately 25 projects. Click here for additional capacity charges and FAQs. (Andenike Brewington)
Activecollab allows users to set up collaboration areas on their website, and provides space for unlimited projects and organization for easy management.
Features:
