Over the last 8 years, we have used various systems to manage our software development projects. From paper sheets, to diaries, to home grown task and calendar systems, to activeCollab, to Wikis, to various other things in between. Nothing has worked as desired! As Magnet has grown, we have faced a variety of issues with our project management systems – insufficient or too much details, resistance from the team, chaos once the system has grown etc. So we are setting out (again!) to find out the best project management solution for us. We are tilting towards building our own system, but are looking at various options again to find out what will work best.
- Simple – for the developers, managers, clients, QA, marketing
- Accessible – easy to bring up the app and use it
- Shared – team usage, collaboration, integration with other tools
- Process Adherence – automation as much as possible, workflow templates
- Reminders, Followup – automatic, Escalation
- Email / Thunderbird / Sunbird / iCal Integration
You may be using some project management system. What has your experience been with such? Any recommendations?
Have you tried Project Open available at http://www.project-open.org. They have modules specific for Software Companies. Request your feedback as I am planning to implement the same.
Nirav,
I’ve used many PM systems during my tenure on hardware, software and solution projects:
Here’s a very simple system:
http://www.37signals.com/
Here’s a complex system
http://www-306.ibm.com/software/awdtools/portfolio/index.html
My longstanding rule is to never advocate any tool, , however, I do have some practical advice you might apply to your search and deployment of a new system:
• Only implement a new tool, concept or practice if there is a high degree of certainty that it will add value to the business and your team is willing and able to use it.
• Be open to team feedback to discontinue using a new feature of a tool if it is driving them crazy.
• Practice the new features of a tool with a trusted team member who has a high tolerance for pain.
• Keep a watchful eye on the team to make sure nobody is drowning with the new tool.
You can learn quite a few fun facts and theories in project management classes. On behalf of the people around you, please do not put every theory into practice.
I have had very good experiences with MS Project Server 2003 and am currently in the process to setup my latest employer with MS Project Server 2007.
If you are an anything-but-MS shop, or do not want to deal with hosting your own app server – I also highly recommend e-project.com ppm6. It is very flexible and as slong as you have internet access you have access to e-project.
I have used project web access (Project Server 2003/7) and ppm6 with a PDA and both work reasonably well.
My 2 cents.
Good luck.
Ramesh, John, Alex: Really, thanks for the inputs. They actually bring me to a big question! Do we want a system that will cover all aspects of project management, or something simpler.
Am thinking…
Edgewall Trac would do. Add vanilla forum as needed.
This could suit most of the projects.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_project_management_software
Came across this in my travels. I hope it helps. Some really nice links to explore, if nothing for ideas for in house alone.
When you discuss project management with some managers, they initially think you are trying to implement a tool that allows you to be a better project manager. Actually, if it were a tool, you might have more luck convincing them to do it. Even though some aspects of project management, like the creation and management of the workplan, may utilize a tool, that is not where the value of project management is. Instead, project management is about skills and discipline. It’s about applying proactive processes and best practices. It’s about using common and understood templates. Don’t get me wrong–tools have their place. However, software tools are not the full answer.
Having said this and recognizing that software tools do help – I think you should take a look at PSNext from Sciforma (www.sciforma.com). In Europe its http://www.lebihan.com or contact me direct as I do provide some pre-sales support for Le Bihan in the UK and specialize in PM in general and PSNext albeit over the years I have used many software tools. I would not recommend either MS Project 2007 (too many individual tools mixed together in MS’s unique way) or Primavera (old technology tarted up) too complex – had its day and very costly.
Regards
Ken Cooper
The VIP Task Manager Pro is rather simple and accessible
http://www.taskmanagementsoft.com/products/taskmanagerpro/