SOFTWARE ROUNDUP: Project Management - Brief Article

Training & Development, Oct, 2001

Project management software comes in all shapes, sizes, and, most important, prices. The main benefit of using PM software is to increase managers' efficiency, rather than to instruct them on how to manage projects effectively. The complexity of the project determines the level and scope of the software that's best suited for your organization.

Mid-range PM products are geared to multifunctional projects being managed for executives and clients. That software, unlike more basic and static offerings, simulates the project and updates it every time a change is made to the system. It's also capable of figuring relationships and the amount of time needed for each project component into the equation. Further, it allows for budgeting employees, external consultants, vendors, travel expenses, and equipment.

Here's a look at three examples of mid-range PM software products. The roundup chart includes contact information, a brief description of key features, and system requirements.

* Source/The Hampton Group

Product               Key Feautres

SureTrak Project      * framework for brainstorming and
Manager 3.0           anticipating problems with the
Primavera Systems     Project Kickstart Wizard
3 Bala Plaza West     * activity codes for grouping,
Suite 700             filtering and summarizing
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 activities based on phase, location,
800.423.0245          responsibility, resource, and other
www.primavera.com     customizable codes
                      * customization of reports and
                      layout
                      * layouts and reports savable in
                      HTML for Web publishing

Microsoft Project     * Task and resource information can
2000                  be categorized and viewed in any
Microsoft             grouping.
One Microsoft Way     * Graphical indicators can take the
Redmond, WA 98052     place of data for spotting
452.882.8080          potential problems.
www.microsoft.com     * Charts are provided for outlining
                      team members' tasks across multiple
                      projects.
                      * The critical path within
                      individual or across all inserted
                      projects can be calculated to see a
                      single critical path for the
                      overall master project.

TurboProject          * Is compatible for sharing
Professional 4        information with Microsoft Project
IMSI                  98 users.
74 Roland Way         * Users can upload, distribute,
Suite 340             view, print, and share project
Novato, CA 94945      files with entire team via the
800.833.4674          internet, regardless of whether
www.imsisoft.com      they have the software.
                      * Layouts and reports can be saved
                      in HTML for Web publishing.
                      * Resources can be grouped by
                      hierarchy and criteria such as
                      department, category, skill, and
                      job description.
                      * Data can be exported directly to
                      Microsoft Excel.

Product               System Requirements

SureTrak Project      * 16 MB of RAM
Manager 3.0           * hard disk with 40MB of free space
Primavera Systems     * VGA or higher resolution monitor
3 Bala Plaza West     * Microsoft Windows 95, 98, or NT
Suite 700             * CD-ROM
Bala Cywyd, PA 19004
800.423.0245
www.primavera.com





Microsoft Project     * 32 MB of RAM
2000                  * hard disk with 204MB of free
Microsoft             space
One Microsoft Way     * VGA or higher resolution monior
Redmond, WA 98052     * Microsoft Windows 95, 98, 2000
452.882.8080          or NT
www.microsoft.com     * CD-ROM
                      * Pentium 75 MHz or higher
                      processor
                      * mouse





TurboProject          * 64 MB of RAM
Professional 4        * hard disk with 22 MB of free
IMSI                  space
74 Roland Way         * Microsoft Windows 95, 98, ME
Suite 340             or NT
Novato, CA 94945      * CD-ROM
800.833.4674          * Pentium II 266 MHz
www.imsisoft.com      * mouse