Several unique terms and phrases describe the features of software we review on this site, some easier to grasp than others. This list briefly defines terms relevant to Project Management Software.
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Ratings
CollaborationThe software should be easy for beginners and experienced computer users alike.
Project management software should have a lot of bells and whistles, including task and resource management tools.
The software should be easy to install and use.
Project management software should come with both a built-in help system and good online support, including resources like FAQs, email support and automatic updates.
The processes, practices and specific activities needed to perform continuous and consistent evaluation, prioritization, budgeting and selection of investments, which provide the greatest value and contribution to the strategic interest of the organization.
Collaboration
DashboardGeneral Collaboration includes:
(1) Dashboards, which let you view all clients and current projects, and gives quick access to multiple areas such as reports and risk analysis.
(2) Team Calendars and Timelines, which displays project timelines and schedules that can be accessed by teams and individuals.
(3) Email Integration, which lets the project management software integrate with Microsoft Outlook or other similar email programs.
Tools that allow you to receive or track concerns from team members, team leaders, managers and executives and the tools needed to manage those issues.
A discussion board covering a broad range of topics used by team members to voice thoughts, opinions and suggestions about projects or tasks.
Microsoft Project is standard project management software for many companies. For those changing to online project management, using online project management that integrates Microsoft Project makes the change easier.
Resource Management
Resource DetailsAllows you add contact information and attach documents and resumes, to resources.
Allows you to input the strengths and weaknesses of each team or individual member in order to match skills to tasks better.
Typically records the start and end time of tasks or just the duration, as well as detailed breakdowns of accomplished tasks.
Manage your materials through tracking system and alerts.
Keep track of key materials and objects so that you know where something is at any given time.
Imports your list of employees or materials directly into the project management software.
Add email addresses to your human resources.
Calculate or add costs to your resource, whether it’s a material resource or human resource.
Add notes about each resource.
Create groups for multiple resources, which allow you to assign permissions to a certain group and not only user by user.
Project Management
Task ManagementKeeping track of tasks and projects via “to-do” lists, computers and other means.
Allows those working on a specific task to give feedback to the project manager.
Allows you to set one task that occurs regularly at the same time (such as Friday maintenance).
The project manager can schedule a number of different variables.
Shows projects and tasks in a calendar layout.
Schedule timelines for tasks, subprojects, projects and resources.
Project milestones as plotted on a calendar.
A graphical representation of a task's duration against the progression of time. Gantt charts allow you to assess how long a project should take, lay out the order in which tasks need to be carried out, and help manage the dependencies between tasks.
The many reports available to the project manager.
Reports on which tasks are finished, overall project progress and such.
Measures individual and group task assignments and evaluates how best to effectively manage projects.
The projects cost, time, resources, materials and so on.
The ability to create reports based on custom criteria.
The process of managing documents and other information from creation and review to storage and dissemination. It also involves the indexing, storage and retrieval of documents in an organized method.
The ability to add a budget to your project and manage it.
Work scheduling where all major jobs are laid out in a diagram to show the proper sequence of work and the necessary time required for each. This provides a visual indication of which operations are most critical.
Pre-built programs that already include generic information.
Define the overall theme of the project, as well as its goals and purpose.
Usually pre-planned events where certain planned deliverables are provided. Milestones are used to organize the planning of long-term projects into smaller time intervals and to monitor the overall progress of the project.
The completed project plan, which allows you to judge your actual progress against a defined point.
Help/Support
General SupportProject management software should have:
(1) Phone contact number with convenient business hours and no fee.
(2) A printed or electronic manual of instructions on how to use the software.
(3) A knowledge base of in-depth online articles and documentation that addresses specific questions and procedures.
(4) 24-hour email support.
(5) User forums where software users can post questions, comments and running dialogue about the software.
Project management software should offer tutorials, which should be useful and relevant.
Some project management websites offer forums where peers can share questions, answers and experiences.
©2003 2008 TopTenREVIEWS, Inc.
FastTrack Schedule, FusionDesk Professional, Intellisys Project, Microsoft Project, Milestones, MinuteMan, OpenMind, Project KickStart, RationalPlan Multi Project, Service Desktop Pro, VIP Team To Do List, have all been reviewed with the latest versions of Project Management Software.
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