Project Management Software Archives - Page 2 of 8

Is There a Project Management Methodology for One-Person Projects?

If you are an employee of a small organization or of a research institution, or just a freelancer, you are likely dealing with one-person projects. You are the team, you are the project manager, so you are responsible for all project documentation, communication, and, of course, project work.

Before you start looking for the right project management software and methodology, make sure you were assigned a project and not just a task or a set of interrelated tasks to accomplish a goal. A project has a definite beginning and end, and its aim is to create a unique product or service. It also has definite resources and usually its timeframe is defined by the organization. If indeed you were assigned a project, it is useful to approach it from a project management perspective in order to complete the work in an efficient manner, taking advantage of the knowledge, tools, and techniques of project management.

All projects have scope, deliverables, resources, and budget. For one-person projects, you are in charge of planning, executing, and monitoring your work, and you are accountable for the project’s outcome. Almost any project management methodology can be applied to one-person projects, with some exceptions. For example, applying Scrum is arguably not possible because there is no Scrum Master or Product Owner. But if you have volatile project requirements, an agile management approach is likely to fit your project, so you can use Scrum or other agile process as a basis to create your own version of the methodology and tailor it for your specific project. (more…)

By Cristina Neagu|2022-11-18T10:20:07+00:00June 13th, 2013|Project Management Methodology, Project Management Software|Comments Off

RationalPlan 4.4 – Integration With Google Drive and Dropbox Storage Services

RationalPlan Project Management Software version 4.4 is ready for the public. Current version offers support for opening and saving files from/to Google Drive and Dropbox platforms. Plus it was added the possibility to handle Microsoft Project 2013 files along with a new look for the web-based module.

Important changes for this version:

Dropbox integration
Google Drive integration
added recurrent tasks
support for Microsoft Project 2013 files
new web based interface for Server
export projects to .xls format files
automatic email notifications on Server

On users increased need to have access to their projects from multiple places, version 4.4 added the possibility to open and save files automatically on external locations like those provided by Google Drive and Dropbox storage services. This is a huge advantage because users can now manager their projects without worrying if their data is safe on their local hard-drives. All they need to do is to keep their files stored on any of the above two hosting solutions. Opening and saving is done as easy as working on local computers but with the advantage of data backup and availability, as long as you have an Internet connection. In case of concurrent access from multiple users on the same data, the Server products should be used. (more…)

By Tiberiu Ghioca|2022-11-18T10:20:07+00:00May 28th, 2013|Cloud Project Management, Microsoft Project, News, RationalPlan|Comments Off

How To Convince People To Start Using Project Management Software

schedule Educated management can start from childhood or at older ages. Earlier is the best. And management can apply to many things: money, work, time etc. Certain kids might have been forced by circumstances to start managing their allowance. This can be a big advantage for them as grown-ups when it comes to finance management.

But what about project management? Many users tend to think that everything can be done using spreadsheets because this is what they used since ever. OK you can do a lot of things with them but not all. When it comes to planning and scheduling projects there are some special requirements that must be addressed with more specific tools. But how to determine people to start adopting such tools?

Work must be done fast and easy

For many people, productivity software does not increase their productivity but rather reduces work effectiveness. Instead of spending the time in solving the problems users spend it with using the software. This is an important point to keep in mind and to make sure the right software is selected. The users need the work to be done fast and easy.

Give an example to users by starting using it

One solution to get the team adopt project management tools is for the manager to start using it. He can delegate tasks and include the coworkers in conversations about those activities. This way they will receive email notifications with assignments sent automatically from the PM system. Over time, maybe some of them will also begin to feel more comfortable in working directly on the assigned tasks instead of replying to incoming emails.

Identify benefits in using project management tools

Another idea is for the manager to identify and point benefits for them of using the tool. More exactly the users must find some benefits for their own and not just for the organization. It has to be a “win-win” situation: both for the person and for the business. “How will this tool make your work easier, your outcome better, your day to day tasks more smooth, save time, be on time, but not in these generic terms but very down to earth and specific to their goals, tasks, responsibilities and duties.” says Carlos Miranda Levy, a Social Entrepreneur. (more…)

By Lucian Ioan|2022-11-18T10:20:09+00:00February 6th, 2013|Business Management, Project Management Software, Time Management|Comments Off

How To Increase Productivity – Choosing The Right Project Management Software

Every person at some point in his life starts to feel the need to get more organized for a better productivity. Some have this revelation sooner, others later and a few of them will never have such needs… Depending on each individual a better organized work style may be reflected in the use of different productivity tools: pencil and paper, To Do lists, task management software and even project management software.

In what follows we shall exclude the classic tools like agendas, pencil, paper, white boards etc. and focus only on the software products. When it comes to organizing their lives things are simpler since the needs are not that big. There are many good solutions on the market to manage your personal list of daily activities and many are even free. All it needs is to be able to create simple items with a start date, completion status, a duration and maybe a priority.

Things get more complicated when someone needs to handle more details for his activities… And now we are talking about issue tracking systems or task management tools, tools that go beyond personal life and intersecting with the daily work from the job.

And at the top there are complex solutions that range from project management software to enterprise resource planning systems. This category of products only apply to business management and are used mainly by companies.

General recommendations when choosing productivity software

No matter what type of productivity tools one needs there is a set of general recommendations that should be taken into consideration. For start it is best to find a user friendly software. The easier it is to learn how to use it the faster you get more productive. Plus there is no need for trainings hence no additional costs. And if still the case, when in need for help a rich user community with active forums or social networks might do the trick for you. (more…)

By Lucian Ioan|2022-11-18T10:20:09+00:00January 16th, 2013|Project Management, Project Management Software|Comments Off

RationalPlan Project Management Software 4.2 – Increased Productivity And Ubuntu Adoption

Project management software provider RationalPlan just released their latest version 4.2. Current version offers increased productivity for managers by reducing the time needed to handle resource allocations. At the same time the company decided it is the right moment to expand on Ubuntu market. Hence the application now offers native integration with Ubuntu operating system.

RationalPlan is a fast growing project management solution that recently received the third place at the Project Management Election organized by Capterra. It was created to serve many types of users starting from novice project managers, users that need an environment to handle multiple projects and up to companies that need a server solution with concurrent access.

Important changes added to this version:

Timesheet view displays only the resources working in the current project
in Leveling panel the resources are displayed according to applied task filters
added a percentage work load chart for resources
Ubuntu operating system integration
added the notion of special working days for tasks
added a new report for task cost distribution
improved printing
added the notion of responsible user
improved Mac OS X integration

(more…)

By Tiberiu Ghioca|2022-11-18T10:20:09+00:00December 20th, 2012|News, RationalPlan, Resource Management|Comments Off

Clients And Access Rights to Project Management Software

Every project either small or big has its stakeholders. The way the communication between them is done can keep relations on a happy note or can put some hurdle between them. The second situation might influence both the current project and the future ones in a negative way and should be avoided.

Examples of project stakeholders include the clients, the user group, the project manager, the development team, the testers etc. practically anyone who has an interest in the project within or outside an organization. It is obvious that either part has a well established procedure or process when it comes to managing a project. But are the processes from the two sides compatible and if yes at what degree? If everyone is working using the same project management methodology or the same software solution then all it is fine. The problems start if this is not the case…

What project management solution side to choose?

There are three possible solutions that can be chosen:

each part uses its own solution
everyone is using the clients solution
or everyone is using the management team’s solution

As early as possible in a new client relationship, the manager needs to ask his client how he usually works. This is a very important factor in deciding which project to undertake. It is necessary to know if the clients are comfortable with the system because many clients will expect the manager to work through their software. Bottom line is that an easy communication will also indicate an easier management over the project. (more…)

By Lucian Ioan|2022-11-18T10:20:09+00:00December 10th, 2012|Project Management Software|1 Comment

Third Place For RationalPlan At 2012 Project Management Election

The project management provider RationalPlan obtained the third place at Capterra’s Project Management Election 2012. RationalPlan has been nominated as being one of the 55 contending project management software providers. These 55 nominees were chosen from a few hundreds of software solutions.

Providers were split into two:

The Traditionalists – those who identified a Traditional/Phased-Approach as the methodology that best fits their software
The Contemporaries – those who identified Agile or another methodology as the best fit (as well as those who indicated their solution is tailored to multiple methodologies)

The election started on October 9th and had four rounds, each round for a duration of one week. The candidate pool was narrowed down at the end of each one-week voting “round” based on which candidates had the most votes. Project managers could vote their preferred project management solution just once every day during the entire campaign.

After the first round we were classified as one of the first 10 players from The Traditionalists category so we were validated to enter the next round. The election continued with Round 2 where only the first 3 products from each category went to next round. Round 2 ended on October 22 when RationalPlan was chose as one of the six best project management software providers. Many were and few remained. After Round 3 which ended on October 29 only the best project management product from each category went to final round. RationalPlan was classified on third place.

“We received a great support and a lot of votes from our users that allowed us to obtain this place. The community was very active on social media like Twitter, Google Plus and especially on RationalPlan Facebook page. We thank all those that voted RationalPlan as their preferred project management software”, says Gabriel Toader, CEO at Stand By Soft. (more…)

By Tiberiu Ghioca|2022-11-18T10:20:10+00:00November 9th, 2012|Awards, Contests, News, RationalPlan|1 Comment

Top 6 for RationalPlan in the Race for the 2012 Project Management Election

Another week is gone and RationalPlan continues the competition for Capterra’s Project Management Election 2012 as one of the six best project management software providers.

Many were and few remained. In the previous round we were classified as one of the first 3 players from The Traditionalists category so we were validated to enter the third round. Thank you all for your support and votes! We hope that you will continue to vote us daily.

Now the election continues with Round 3 where only the best project management product from each category will go to final round. Round 3 ends on October 29 so give us a helping hand and vote RationalPlan as your preferred project management software. Voting is easy and fast and does not require anything from you except two mouse clicks: one for selecting RationalPlan in the The Traditionalists red column and the second one at the bottom of the page to Submit your vote:

Thank you and do not forget to vote RationalPlan for the Project Management Election 2012 every day!

By Tiberiu Ghioca|2022-11-18T10:20:10+00:00October 23rd, 2012|Contests, RationalPlan|Comments Off

RationalPlan in Round 2 of the Race for the 2012 Project Management Election

Last week we announced that RationalPlan has been nominated for Capterra’s Project Management Election 2012 as being one of the 55 contending project management software providers. In the first round we were classified as one of the first 10 players from The Traditionalists category so we were validated to enter the second round. Thank you all that supported us and voted for RationalPlan!

Now the election continues with Round 2 where only the first 3 products from each category will go to next round. Round 3 ends on October 22 so give us a helping hand and vote RationalPlan as your preferred project management software. Voting is easy and fast and does not require anything from you except two mouse clicks: one for selecting RationalPlan in the The Traditionalists red column and the second one at the bottom of the page to Submit your vote:

Thank you and do not forget to vote RationalPlan for the Project Management Election 2012 every day!

By Tiberiu Ghioca|2022-11-18T10:20:10+00:00October 17th, 2012|Contests, RationalPlan|Comments Off

RationalPlan in the Race for the 2012 Project Management Election

We are pleased to announce that RationalPlan has been nominated for Capterra’s Project Management Election 2012 as being one of the 55 contending project management software providers. These 55 nominees were chosen from a few hundreds of software solutions.

Providers are split into two:

The Traditionalists – those who identified a Traditional/Phased-Approach as the methodology that best fits their software
The Contemporaries – those who identified Agile or another methodology as the best fit (as well as those who indicated their solution is tailored to multiple methodologies)

The election will start on October 9th and will have four rounds, each round for a duration of one week. The candidate pool will be narrowed down at the end of each one-week voting “round” based on which candidates have the most votes. Project managers can vote their preferred project management solution just once every day. The election will end on November 6th when the winner will be announced.

So give us a helping hand and vote RationalPlan as your preferred project management software. Voting is easy and fast and does not require anything from you except two mouse clicks: one for selecting RationalPlan in the The Traditionalists red column and the second one at the bottom of the page to Submit your vote:

Thank you and do not forget to vote RationalPlan for the Project Management Election 2012 every day!

By Tiberiu Ghioca|2022-11-18T10:20:10+00:00October 5th, 2012|Contests, RationalPlan|Comments Off