Intro to Mircosoft Project

Chapter A: Guide to Using Microsoft Project 2013 Project Management Software Reviews Book Title: Information Technology Project Management Printed By: Joseph English ([email protected]) © 2016 Cengage Learning, Cengage Learning

Project Management Software Reviews Figure A-1 provides a screen shot showing the top ten project management software products based on a June 2009 review by TopTenREVIEWS™. That was the last year that a review was provided of non-online PPM software. Most PPM tools now offer totally online versions, including Project 2013.

Figure A-1

Top Ten Project Management Software Product Comparisons

The products listed in the top ten include:

1. Microsoft Project

2. MindView

3. Project KickStart

4. RationalPlan Multi Project

5. FastTrack Schedule

6. Service Desktop Pro

7. Milestones

8. MinuteMan

9. FusionDesk Professional

10. VIP Team To Do List

Notice that Microsoft Project is number one on the list. Also notice its steep price back in 2009 of over $500 for a single user. Remember that students can purchase Microsoft Project and other software at greatly reduced rates from sites such as www.journeyed.com. You can also download a free trial of Project 2013 Professional (not Project Online, which

cost $45 per user per month without an annual subscription, as of April 2013) and other software products or access them remotely via the Internet with your school’s software license. Check with your school’s IT department for more information.

Below are descriptions of the criteria for comparing the software products:

Collaboration: How information and issues are communicated with project team members, including e-mail, conference calls, meetings, web-based locations, and more. Collaboration should be easy to use.

Resource Management: Project management software should manage and control the resources needed to run a project, such as people, money, time, and equipment.

Project Management: The process, practice, and activities needed to perform continuous evaluation, prioritization, budgeting, and selection of investments are key. Proper project management capabilities provide the greatest value and contribution to the strategic interest of your company.

Ease of Use: All project management software has a learning curve, but the best have functions that are easy to find and simple enough for anyone to use from Day 1, Project 1.

Help/Support: Project management software should offer a comprehensive user guide and help system. The manufacturer should provide e-mail addresses or telephone numbers for direct answers to technical questions.

In addition to reviewing project management software in general, TopTenREVIEWS™ also compared online products in a separate category. These products require an Internet connection for use. Figure A-2 lists the top ten results for 2013.

Figure A-2

Top Ten Online Project Management Product Comparisons

The top ten products listed include:

1. Clarizen

2. Genius Project

3. Daptiv

4. Tenrox

5. Celoxis

6. Project Insight

7. AtTask

8. EPM Live

9. Liquid Planner

10. Easy Projects.net

TopTenREVIEWS™ only listed online project management tools in 2013, and their review was done before Microsoft’s Project Online was released. Tools in this list provide the ability to create Gantt charts, numerous reports and views, project dashboards, and integrate with Microsoft Project files. See End Note 2 or visit the websites for any of these products and use a free trial version. Also note that there are many other tools available.

Chapter A: Guide to Using Microsoft Project 2013 Project Management Software Reviews Book Title: Information Technology Project Management Printed By: Joseph English ([email protected]) © 2016 Cengage Learning, Cengage Learning

© 2019 Cengage Learning Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this work may by reproduced or used in any form or by any means - graphic, electronic, or mechanical, or in any other manner - without the written permission of the copyright holder.