Free Project Management Software Reviews 2013 - PM Articles

Most people don’t just wake up one morning and say, “Hey, I want to be a project manager!”  Many individuals are thrust into project management initially out of a need for someone to fill that specific role on a new project or to take over an existing project where a PM is leaving, has been dismissed or needs to jump on another project.  And many fill the role for the first time in a smaller organization with no real PM infrastructure in place…it just happens.

My story is sort of a hybrid of these…I moved into the PM role in an larger organization 20+ years ago in a time where project management offices (PMOs) were not common place and full time PM roles where not that common either.  I filled a need on a government contract and the rest is history.  Read the Complete Article

Project management software helps project managers and teams complete client requirements and manage time, budget, and scope constraints. However, with so many available options, choosing the right tool can be confusing, and people may not know just where to begin. A comprehensive buyer’s guide by Reviews.com author Raymond Althof explaining what features cloud-based project management software should have can save anyone’s valuable time and money interested in purchasing this very helpful but mysterious tool.

Types of Project Management Software, like many software nowadays, can be classified as on-premise or online.

• On-premise: Typically resides in the company’s own server, which are located in the data center and managed by the company’s IT employees. An example of an on-premise PM software is Microsoft Project.
• Online: Many small and medium-sized businesses across different industries are now utilizing online project management software.

Read the Complete Article

If you are reading your web email by using only a web browser such as Chrome, Firefox, or Internet Explorer, then you are already using web-based software. The five points of clarification are installation, maintenance, connectivity, data storage, and security.

Hassle-free, zero installation

Regular desktop software packages are installed on individual computers. Most often, IT experts are needed to determine compatibility issues, configure directories and drivers, and install the program step by step. In contrast, web-based software is not installed. You only need to go to the website using a web browser that usually comes with the standard operating system of your computer. Then, you log in with your registered account to start using it. Installation, configuration, or compatibility problems are nonexistent.

Nowadays, many providers are even allowing users to try their applications for free for a limited time before making them decide to purchase the product or service. Read the Complete Article

It is a given that project managers are good with details, in handling events, tasks, and processes. However, many take for granted the other aspects like communication, decision-making, and leadership.

Introducing Susanne Madsen

Susanne Madsen is a project management leadership coach and the author of The Project Management Coaching Workbook – Six Steps to Unleashing Your Potential. She has over 15 years experience in managing and rolling out large change programmes of up to $30 million for organizations such as Standard Bank, Citigroup and JPMorgan Chase. Susanne specializes in helping project and change managers improve their leadership skills so that they can gain control of their projects and fast-track their career. She does this through a combination of training, coaching, mentoring and consulting.

Before Susanne got involved in coaching, she was managing big-profile projects. Read the Complete Article

What happens if you want to move up in the organization as a project manager and an opportunity to move to a more senior level opens up?  The obvious answer is ‘you go for it.’  But what if you’re very new to the organization? Or what if you don’t feel ready?  What if you are fairly new to project management and you know that you really need more experience? Do you go for it?  Do you lay back and wait till next time?  No question there are risks either way…what would you do?

This question recently came up in a project forum in which I participate.  An individual who was posting is driven to advance their PM career, but they have only a few months on the job.  What opened up is the perfect next step for them, but they were concerned that they may not be ready or may not be ‘deemed’ ready. Read the Complete Article