SOFTWARES USED IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT

ENGINEER AMMAR ABBAS

INTRODUCTION • There are literally dozens of good project

management software applications out there, with Microsoft Project being one of the most popular mid-range project management packages, and the likes of Primavera being popular at the higher end. Free and open source project tools are also available to download or use via a web browser.

What does project management software do?

• At the most basic level, project management products will help your organisation to manage projects from start to finish, and allow employees at different levels to have an input into the process.

• Project management software has been around for a number of years now and as a result, it does far more than just manage the projects themselves.

• Project applications can also carry out scheduling, cost control and budget management, resource allocation, collaboration, communication, quality management and documentation or administration.

• The aim with these is to handle all aspects and complexities of larger projects and help keep costs down.

Benefits of Using Project Management Software• Collaborate on Projects Project management software gives employees a way to collaborate on projects by sharing documents, timelines and status updates.• Delegate TasksUse project management software to easily delegate tasks to the appropriate employees. • Stay on ScheduleProject management software lets project managers add a start and expected completion date to projects and tasks they include in the system.• Track ProjectsKeep track of the progress of projects with project management software. The software will let you know what's been completed, as well as by whom, and what still needs to be done

Benefits of Using Project Management Software

• Provide a SnapshotWhen training new staff members and introducing them to projects your company works on, project management software offers a snapshot of the project you can share to get new staff up-to-speed. The snapshot allows you to show employees the project from start to finish, give them background information and let them know how the project will move forward.• Communicate with Clients and VendorsProject management software enables businesses to share and collaborate with clients and vendors in addition to employees. Companies using project management software can provide their clients with usernames and passwords giving them access to project files. Clients can give feedback, make edits and review progress. CNN Money asserts that, because businesses need to be connected to vendors and clients, project management technology is essential.

WHATS IS PROJECT project management tools needs • project management tools needs to manage the following

types of data• Resources

Skills, experience and other attributesWorking calendars and resources availability

• Projects

• Tasks • describing the activities required to produce each key

deliverable, which are normally labeled as milestone tasks

• Assignments – work estimates needed to achieve each task, for each resource

• Cost rates needed to compute the actual costs and the value of work done, to be compared with the budget

CLASSIFICATION SOFTWARE• Estimating & Takeoff Software• Software for project planning

Types of project management softwarea desktop application, a web-based software or it can also be a hosted software solution that allows access from remote locations through Internet or Intranet.

Estimating & Takeoff Software

PlanSwift Construction : PlanSwift is an on-screen digitizing and takeoff system that is suitable for both commercial and residential GCs and sub-contractors in a number of industries, such as electrical, heavy/highway, plumbing, and custom and production homebuilders

Estimating & Takeoff Software• NAVISWORKS Navisworks ensures cost estimation at any point in time without having to wait for completely developed data.

Software for project planning

Software for project planning• MS Project 

1.  Progression of tasks2. Workers’ hours and salaries3. Costs of equipment and supplies4. Keeping progress on schedule5. Budget overruns

Primavera P6 Professional Project Management

• Balance resource capacity• Plan, schedule and control complex projects• Allocate best resources and track progress• Monitor and visualize project performance• Conduct what-if analysis and analyze alternative

project plans

RESOURCE

• http://smallbusiness.chron.com/benefits-using-project-management-software-2196.html

• http://www.ims-web.com/blog/how-your-projects-can-benefit-from-oracle-primavera-project-management

• http://www.trainingzone.co.uk/community/blogs/thalestraining/benefits-of-using-primavera-p6