Chapter 1 - Exercise 5

a) What functions does project management software that you cannot do easily using other tools such as a spreadsheet or database?

Today many project managers still use basic productivity software such as Word, Excel, Report writer, and so on to perform many project functions such as determining project scope, time, cost, resources and documentation.

Two main project management tools that cannot be done by productivity software are Gantt Charts and Network diagrams.

• Gantt Chart is a standard format for displaying project schedule information by listing project activities and there corresponding start to finish dates in a calendar format (Schwalbe, P25)
  
• Network Diagram primary purpose is to display the critical path. The critical path is the series of tasks that dictates the calculated finish date of the project. (Bunin, PRJ9)

b) How do three different tools you reviewed compare, based on the cost of the tool, key features, and other relevant criteria?

1. Microsoft Project
   
   Microsoft Project is the leader in project management software. Microsoft Project enables project planning, resource scheduling, multiple types of diagrams and reports, project costing, project control and project status update. (http://www.infogoal.com/link.php?n=603). Microsoft has different versions of its project management product ranging for single application to Enterprise Management solution which allows to standardize project management processes across an organization and communicate with project team members and other stake holders or partners over the web, intranet or extranet. (Bunin, PRJ10)
   
   Pricing for Microsoft Project range from single to client access licenses if using Project Server and Office Enterprise Project management


2. IQ Coordinator project management allow companies to increase communications by bringing together tasks, expenses, meeting notes and so on in a collaborative way online. Some key features of IQ Coordinator are Central Information repository, project roles, Gantt and Text charts. Pricing range from $25-$200 based on modules and the licenses are also shared.
   
   http://www.theiqgroup.com/index/IQ%20Coordinator/p/cat/76999/content/77625?session_id=8a230ad2c4d18572d39d4cbee95440ade4e89e36
   
3. VPMi PMO
   
   VPMi has two versions standard and professional. Both versions offer similar features such as task management, resource management, milestone tracking and project prioritization. However the professional version offers integration into Microsoft productivity suites, resource forecasting, and features such as risk management. Product comparison for both standard and professional can be found here. http://www.vcsonline.com/VCS/VPMi/VPMi_Comparison.htm
   
   There are 3 different pricing options for the VPMi software which includes Software as a Service (SaaS), Hosted and local implementation. SaaS cost $20/user and Hosted cost $30/user

The 3 software detailed above are all low-high-end tools. Each software caters for a difference audience and the purchase of software really determines on the project itself.

C) How can organizations justify investing in enterprise project management software?

Organizations should invest in enterprise project management software if they wish to:

1. Standardize project management processes across the organization
2. Communicate and collaborate with project team members and other stakeholders or partners over the web, extranet or intranet
3. Report projects in the organizations and roll-up scorecards
4. Understand resource and workload and availability across projects
   

(Bunin, PRJ10)