I've used Access to track material procurement activities. If you're into Microsoft, they have developed Project into a capable product for planning and tracking moderately complex projects. Primavera is a more solid product for larger, more complex projects, but one really should attend a training class for it. Whereas books and tutorials are more readily available for Project. Hopefully, you have some training/background in Project Management. If you are going this way as a career, I recommend the Project Management Institute www.pmi.org