Project Management
Automated Support Tools for Project Management
Project management support tools have increased in sophistication and performance since the mid-1980s when the first PC-based tools arrived. The tools in this section support project planning, task assignment and monitoring, estimation tools, and scheduling tools (see Table 3-5). Key tool capabilities not considered here include word processing, spreadsheets, calendars, or interfaces to electronic mail (these are considered useful for all organization members). Other tools that are used by a project manager but are discussed in other sections of the text are for configuration management, quality control, and metrics.
TABLE 3-5 Automated Support Tools for Project Management
Product |
Company |
Technique |
CA-products |
Computer Associates International, Inc. |
Project planning |
DataEasy Project Management |
Data Easy Software Foster City, CA |
Task mapping |
Demi-Plan |
Demi Software Ridgefield, CT |
Critical path project planning and tracking |
Foundation |
Arthur Anderson & Co. Chicago, IL |
Project management Project planning |
IEW, ADW (PS/2 Version) |
Knowledgeware Atlanta, GA |
Project planning |
Life Cycle Manager |
Nastec Southfield, MI |
Project planning, task assignment, tracking |
Life Cycle Project Manager |
American Management Systems Fairfax, VA |
Project planning, task, assignment, tracking |
Maestro |
SoftLab San Francisco, CA |
Problem tracking |
microGANTT |
Earth Data Corp. Richmond, VA |
Project planning |
Milestone |
Digital Marketing Corp. Walnut Creek, CA |
Critical path project planning and tracking |
Multi-Cam |
AGS Mgmt Systems King of Prussia, PA |
Project planning and tracking |
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Product |
Company |
Technique |
PMS II |
North America MICA Inc. San Diego, CA |
Project planning, task assignment, tracking Critical path PERT |
Primavera Project Manager |
Primavera Systems Inc. Bala Cynwyd, PA |
Project planning, task assignment, tracking |
Project |
Microsoft Bellevue, WA |
Project planning, task assignment, tracking |
Project Workbench, Fast Project |
Applied Business Technology NY, NY |
Project planning, task assignment, tracking |
System Architect |
Popkin Software and Systems Inc. NY, NY |
Project planning |
Teamwork |
Cadre Technologies Inc. Providence, RI |
Planned completion date tracking |
vsDesigner |
Visual Software, Inc. Santa Clara, CA |
Project completion tracking Critical issues monitoring |