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.
Islandia, NY

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