Project Management Software

Rather than, or in addition to, a spreadsheet program, also consider MS Project or similar scheduling and tracking software.

I agree that anyone facing a project beyond the capabilities of excel should strongly consider MS Project... but there is also a free alternative that I have never used...... but is getting good reviews.

Open Workbench is an open source desktop application that provides robust project scheduling and management functionality. Already the scheduling standard for more than 100,000 project managers worldwide, Open Workbench is a free and powerful alternative to Microsoft Project.

http://www.openworkbench.org/

OpenProject is another open source MS project type software.....

Hi Ramamurthy

I can only support the suggestion to use "OpenWorkbench" .

I have used it two years ago for some mech/engineering and production projects and find it very very user friendly.

Some functions need some figuring out, which helps with understanding the programs capabilities.

You will have to google for instructions/manuals, but there are some comprehensive (and also free) available on the net. Once you have worked with OW, you´ll probably have no desire to use MS Project.

Best regards,

Hangwaiter

I agree in principle. And gave you a GA. But the OP was interested in software. In my experience, playing around with the applications provides a better [empirical] introduction to Project Management software and the scope of capabilities.

Once the user becomes familiar with the applications' functionality he can then begin a more in-depth exploration of PM requirements, tools and disciplines

Activity schedule in bar chart using excel format is being used. You can also use the MS Project for scheduling and monitoring activities.

For monitoring accomplishments, a statement format of work progress and accomplishments is done and costumize using the excel format.

Aside from OpenProj, another great alternative to MS Project is dotProject. It is a web-based, multi-user, multi-language Project Management and open source. They have a very similar user interface with MS Project, but extending to include project management functionality.

A few features of dotProject:
Projects and Tasks
* Companies, Departments and Contacts
* ToDo lists
* Resources
* Gantt charts
* Reports
* History of all activities
* Calendar

Other alternatives can be found in this list. It lists project management tools with features compared in a table so you can determine which one is best for you.

Latitude is a great project management software package designed for surveyors and engineers. Its features include CRM, time tracking, project management, collaboration, document control, view maps surrounding the project site, etc. The document control feature will help you organize your files like spreadsheets, cad files, emails, letters and and drawings in one place.

It has a simple cash accounting system to create quotes and invoices of job costs. User timesheets can be exported to QuickBooks during payroll.