Have you ever felt like you were completely overwhelmed when it came to managing one of your projects? To get lost in an inefficient organization? If so, you probably need a project management tool.
These software or applications allow you to review the organization of a project to better achieve it within the framework of various constraints. There are different project management methodologies, which I present to you in this article.
This knowledge will help you choose the right project management software since each one is based on one or the other of these methodologies.
You can then choose the option that suits you from the selection of the best project management tools that I offer.
What is project management?
Project management, or project management, is the set of techniques, processes and strategies aimed at the successful completion of a project, from the evaluation of the opportunity to its delivery.
Take as an example of a project the launch of an online store. This will involve building the site, choosing the type of product sold, designing the branding of the brand, the marketing strategy, planning the advertising campaigns and launching the site itself, all in one. predetermined time frame.
The project management tools will help you manage the deadlines, resources and budgets specific to the project in question, according to a predefined methodology.
Project management methodologies
Two categories of methods are currently used in project management:
1. Traditional or cascade methods
The classic method of project management is to divide the realization of the project into several stages, each of which must be completed before moving on to the next.
Everything is planned in advance and must take place without deviating from the specifications. It is a widely used and proven method, but a little rigid in the sense that it leaves little room for the unexpected. This traditional method is not recommended when carrying out a project for a client.
2. Agile methods
Very popular in recent years, the Agile method is much more flexible. It consists of dividing the project into mini-projects. The process is therefore not linear and leaves room for possible adjustments to the delivery of each mini-projects, as the objectives of the whole project evolve.
3. The PERT method
The PERT method is a traditional method of dividing the tasks of a project in the form of a chronological network. It allows you to clearly visualize the progress of the mission, the connections between the different stages of project management and the possible risks if a task is not completed on time.
4. The Gantt chart
The Gantt chart is a tool used to represent the progress of a project over time. This is the same principle as back-planning. We represent the different stages of project management in the form of horizontal and temporal bars, superimposed on each other and pointing to the final phase of the project.
There are many other project management methodologies, but the ones presented above are the main ones.
How to choose a project management tool?
The elements to take into account in choosing a project management software are as follows:
- The number of projects you plan to lead
- The number of employees participating in the realization of the project
- The volume of documents you plan to share
- How often you will need to communicate within the team
The main functions of these tools are generally task management, team management, an email integration system and document management.
Task management
The central element of project management. The project management tool that you choose must be able to offer a space for managing tasks, their breakdown into sub-tasks, the possibility of repeating them over time, or of importing task lists.
Collaborative functions
A good project management tool must integrate collaborative work tools and communication systems. You must be able to interact easily with your collaborators, for example, freelancers with whom you work on your site. A chat seems essential or in any case a messaging system, the possibility of sharing documents, keeping the history of conversations and receiving notifications.
Ease of use
Simple project management tools are easy to learn. If you decide to invest in a complex project management application, pay attention to the grip. Training may be required on which your employees may spend time before they can perform well.
Compatibility with emails
Project management software that integrates emails is ideal. This means for example that if you change a task of some f ACON whatsoever, those concerned with this task will receive an email notification. By responding by email, your response is automatically placed in the notifications of the software itself. So you don’t waste time switching from one application to another
Document management
You must be able to transform documents easily, keep them in a secure place, offering enough space to store them. It must also be possible to comment on these documents within the application.
Finally, the project management software must offer a mobile version of its product, since as an entrepreneur, you will have to travel regularly.
The top project management tools
Monday.com, effective project management
On monday.com is an agile project management tool. On this application, you choose a template that you then adapt according to the needs of the project. You can integrate comments, calculations, files, and many other elements into your management. It is a very visual and intuitive tool. Its communication system is very fluid and it keeps the conversation history. It easily connects to other tools like Excel, Trello, Google drive or Slack. Monday is also available on mobile. It works great for tracking orders from an e-commerce site and can grow with the team.
Monday.com Pricing: This project management app works as a package, depending on the number of people and the level of functionality. Prices range from € 17 to € 39 per month for 2 people (billed annually).
Basecamp
Basecamp is a benchmark in the field of project management tools. It functions as a real network infiltrating the entire structure of the company or the team working on the project. You can create to-do lists there, access discussion threads grouping together all the messages on the same subject, open calendars representing all the stages of project management. It is also possible to launch groups of questions to which your collaborators answer. Finally, your clients can connect to Basecamp for direct feedback on the progress of the project. Basecamp is only available in English.
Prices on Basecamp: Basecamp offers a free, but limited version, or a monthly plan at $ 99.
Zoho Project, project management at its maximum efficiency
Zoho Project is a tool of the Zoho family, a powerful software suite dedicated to businesses. It’s the pinnacle of online project management, with loads of features. It is based on the Gantt chart, with tasks that you can link together, according to the PERT model, to better identify your priorities in the conduct of your project. Milestones, to-do lists, and tasks allow you to break your project down into small units. With timesheets, employees can enter their billable and non-billable hours, while Zoho automatically edits invoices. It is also possible to automate a number of tasks. Finally, Zoho Projects easily connects to many other collaborative tools such as Slack, Google Drive, or GitHub.
Prices on Zoho Projects : Zoho free, it is possible with the basic plan, up to 5 collaborators, and 2 projects. Otherwise, the prices range from 150 € to 1500 €.
quire.io , a visual collaborative platform
Quire is a free project management tool based on the Agile method. It offers all the features you might need to organize the launch of your online store or any other e-commerce related project. The management of tasks is done in the form of a kanban board, that is to say a system of cards that we move, edit and share, very practical for viewing and prioritizing your tasks. Quire has chosen to offer all of its functions for free until 2020, the time to study in depth the needs of their users. This offer is valid for up to 80 projects and 30 members, which is more than enough.
Aceproject, a web project management application
Aceproject is a project management application based on the Gantt chart. It offers you time management, billing or expense control tools. Your entire project will be secured in the Aceproject cloud.
Aceproject’s prices: the basic plan is free for up to three projects and three users, then prices go up to $ 199 per month depending on the number of projects, users and storage space.
Projeqtor, open source project management software
The main interest of Projeqtor , this project organization application, is in the subtitle: it is an open source project management software and therefore free, without limitation of functionalities. You will find all the features you need for a good project management tool. Quality oriented, as its name suggests “Quality based Project Organizer”, it is a simple but well made tool. It offers planning and resource management functions, and also offers a bug tracker, which allows you to spot the vagaries of the project.
Please note, the installation of Projeqtor requires a server, as for a website.
Trello, a collaborative space
Trello is a very practical collaborative application for project management. This tool is suitable for organizing the daily work of a small team as well as for managing large projects involving dozens of people. It is a visual and pleasant task manager on the kanban board mode. You create tasks in the form of cards that you can edit, duplicate, share but on which you can also add deadlines. Trello is free but also offers Trello Gold, with additional features such as powers-up (i.e. plugins that diversify the functionality of your project manager), personalized emoticons and stickers as well as more space. storage. Trello is accessible via the Internet and as an application on desktop and mobile.
Freedcamp, a free project manager
Freedcamp is a project manager offered in a free version which offers all the functionalities necessary to start a business. It includes a task, planning and document manager, a messaging system, a time tracker, a schedule and a discussion wall. If you switch to business or enterprise mode, you access other tools such as wikis, bug trackers, an invoice generator, reports or email integration.
The rates on Freedcamp range from $ 1.49 to $ 16.99 depending on your needs.
Collabtive, intuitive project management
Collabtive is another open source project management software ideal for small businesses or freelancers. In addition to the classic functionalities of a project management tool, Collabtive offers a multi-language interface, an internal messaging system and you can add many plugins to extend its possibilities.
GitHub, project management for developers
GitHub is a collaborative work platform for developers. At least that’s the origin of its creation, but the site also offers a project management service in English, perfect for developing a website or an application. If you want to develop your online store, or develop it in collaboration with others, this is the ideal platform for this kind of project. It will also be a useful tool in the event that maintenance is provided by a freelance developer.
The prices on GitHub: a free version and another at $ 7 per month.
Asana, a work management platform
Asana is a collaborative work application, which allows a team to pool their efforts on the completion of one or more projects. Very pleasant to use, the interface focuses on the notion of tasks. You can assign a task to one or more people, as well as a deadline. You can therefore define priorities and deadlines and create graphical project plans, for better visualization. A table in kanban mode allows you to create cards, corresponding to tasks. Stakeholders can communicate via a discussion thread specific to each card.
Pricing on Asana: four plans are available, one of which is free.
Teamwork, open-source project management software
Teamwork is a paid project management option, but it has a free version. In addition, the paid version includes a 30-day trial period. Teamwork allows you to plan the whole realization of your project, from the smallest task to the critical points of the project. The software is very comprehensive, with tools for secure document retention, detailed and personalized reports, chat, as well as CRM and customer service.
Teamwork rates : the free version concerns a maximum of 5 employees. The other versions are $ 9 or $ 15 per month.
Proofhub, a place for all your projects and collaborators
Proofhub is another project management software that caters to any type of project manager. Gantt chart, kanban tables, customizable workflows, roles to be defined to ensure that the right people take care of a particular task. Everything is there for the smooth running of projects.
The rates on Proofhub : two packages exist, at $ 45 or $ 150.
Now that you know more about project management tools, which one will you choose? Do you know of any other interesting tools? Tell us in the comments.
Planzone, collaborative project management software
Planzone is an online project management tool, designed to allow you to judge at a glance the progress of your project. A single platform brings together all the exchanges with your employees, with whom you stay connected at all times. The simplicity of this solution is suitable for people who do not have special experience in project management. A very present customer service advises you and Planzone offers decreasing prices according to the size of your business.
Tariffs on Planzon: from € 16 to € 25 per month.
