Project Management Software for monitoring ISO implementations

[Rick Goodson]

I like to use project management software for monitoring ISO implementations. Microsoft Project is relatively expensive and has more bells and whistles than needed sometimes. Does anyone know of an inexpensive (shareware is OK) program for simple projects that I can recommend to smaller organizations I work with who do not want to invest in multiple copies of Microsoft Project?

[Marc]

I typically use MSProject because I have it and if a customer has project management software at all it is always MSProject. However, you can even use Excel (or any spreadsheet) to set up a project schedule.

In part what you use will depend upon how much power you actually need. Do you need cost estimating? Man hour tracking and prediction?

You might want to stop by the PMI (Project Management Institute) web site -- www.pmi.org

I have several old programs for the Mac I used to use which, actually, were (are) nicer / simpler than MSProject (MacProject and FastTrack Schedule). MacProject is undoubtedly out of 'production'.

There is a version of FastTrack schedule for the PeeCee. Actually, FastTrack (see http://saleonall.com/cat/software/pr...neproduct.html) used to be my program of choice -- but they started raising the price (and had a steep yearly 'upgrade' bumb) and I finally just settled with MSProject.

[This message has been edited by Marc Smith (edited 02 October 2000).]

[Rick Goodson]

Marc, thanks for the reply.

They do not need to do any financial tracking for costing. Most of the need is to determine critical path and to monitor progress. In some instances they may want to estimate resource usage so as not to overload people.

[Marc]

I typically only use Project to track progress -- critical path. Actually I have a PIM for Macintosh which has a built-in Gantt chart maker - pretty neat, but I don't really have a use for it ( www.chronosnet.com ). Didn't look to see if they do a peecee version, but here's the link.

The bottom line is if you want the 'power' you'll pay. If a Gantt chart will do a spreadsheet can suffice.

I have used the standard Scheduler that is installed with windows as well as a system of recurring tasks, reminders, deadlines, schedules, etc. with Outlook. I use the Office 2000, professional edition and have had great success with it on this particular assignment. One of my customer's requests was that I use software that was already in house as much as possible. This is what they had - and on every machine. This made it real nice since I could program broadcast messages detailing schedule deadlines and reminders. And if thought out well, the printed copy material will be useful, informative, concise and easy to read. Everyone could participate in the discussions and schedule maintenance (updating completion dates, etc.) since all had and were already familiar with most of the software.

If you do some searching on the web you can find "Project" for about $175.00. It does not come with a manual but project has a good help system.

ASD...

MS Outlook's TASK feature provides basic project management features. So, if you have MS Office, you already have a free one. I also sometimes use EXCEL to put together "quick and dirty" project outlines.

Of course, I use MS Project for the complex stuff.

Jerry