Have you ever felt like you were completely overwhelmed when 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 selecting 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 successfully completing 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 brand’s branding, the marketing strategy, planning the advertising campaigns and launching the site itself, all in one. Predetermined time frame.
According to a predefined methodology, the project management tools will help you manage the deadlines, resources, and budgets specific to the project in question.
Project Management Methodologies
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 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. Therefore, the process is 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 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 project’s final phase.
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
A young e-commerce entrepreneur usually starts a business alone, sometimes in pairs. In this case, a simple project management tool will suffice. 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 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 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. For example, 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 transform documents quickly, keep them in a secure place, and offer 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.
Also Read: Best Three Digital Project Management Tools
Top 7 Project Management Tools
1. Monday.com
On monday.com is an agile project management tool. On this application, you choose a template that you then adapt according to the project’s needs. 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, Smartsheet, 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 two people (billed annually).
2. Basecamp
Basecamp is a benchmark in the field of project management tools. It functions as a real network infiltrating the company’s entire structure or the team working on the project. You can create to-do lists there, access discussion threads grouping 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.
Basecamp Pricing: Basecamp offers a free, but limited version, or a monthly plan at $ 99.
3. Zoho Project
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, better to identify your priorities in the conduct of your project. Milestones, to-do lists, and tasks allow you to break down your project 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 several tasks. Finally, Zoho Projects easily connects to many other collaborative tools such as Slack, Jira, Google Drive or GitHub.
Zoho Project Pricing: Zoho free, it is possible, up to 5 collaborators and 2 projects. Otherwise, the prices range from 150 € to 1500 €.
4. Trello
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.
5. 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 collaborate with others, this is the ideal platform for this kind of project. It will also be a useful tool in the event that a freelance developer provides maintenance.
The rates on GitHub: a free version and another at $ 7 per month.
6. Asana
Asana is a collaborative work application that allows a team to pool their efforts to complete one or more projects. Very pleasant to use, the interface focuses on the concept 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.
Asana Pricing: four plans available, one of which is free.
7. Teamwork
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 complete, with tools for secure storage of documents, detailed and personalized reports, chat, CRM software and customer service.
Teamwork Pricing: the free version concerns a maximum of 5 employees. The other versions are $ 9 or $ 15 per month.
Also Read: Best Free Project Management Software