Activity 3: Software for Project Management

Software for Project Management
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Project management software refers to computer programs that are used to plan, implement, monitor and evaluate projects. The programs are usually customized to suit the nature of the project since various projects differ in terms of resources required, scope, duration, report generation and purpose (Biafore, 2013). All project management software have their strengths and weaknesses that the contractor should evaluate before settling down on a particular software to manage their project. Some project management software strengths and weaknesses are evaluated in the table below.
Software

Strengths

Weaknesses

1 Smart sheet
An online collaboration and project management program that has an interface resembling spreadsheet (Wan, 2013).

* It has a spreadsheet-like interface which is familiar and easy to use for many users.
* Flexible- it offers a flexible solution to users which cuts across personnel, project work and end products (Wan, 2013).
* Holistic- the software has additional features and can be integrated with other programs to perform extra functions.

* Though it’s easy to monitor employees and manage projects with this software, it does not have a project time tracker for employees.
* Convoluted reporting- the software has thorough report generation features but the method of report generation is somewhat complicated with many steps and takes a bit of time (MaCmahon, 2014).

Microsoft Project
This is a project management software used to keep projects organized. It is developed and marketed by Microsoft.( MaCmahon, 2014)

* The software has the capacity to manage multiple projects at a go with the aid of the Master Project Plan feature.
* It’s an industry standard project management tool used widely by project managers across the world. There is a lot of useful free online information and courses about Microsoft Project which helps users to learn more about it and how to maximize its utility(Biafore, 2013)..
* It offers a project timeline view for monitoring of project phases and an elevated pictorial view of the project and presentation. It is also quite easy to add project tasks to the timeline.

* MS Project appears not to focus on any specific industry though...