Project Management Template

I came across this Free project management quick reference guide / template to help standardize the PM process, from initiation to completion. Download the file in Microsoft Word to get started. here:

Project Management Template


A project is composed of many smaller parts, called tasks. Each individual task, and the project as a whole, is subject to limitations in scope, time and budget. A project manager must ensure that the tasks are complete in time and on budget, and that the project meets requirements without extending the scope of the project beyond preset limits. A project management guide template, downloaded in Microsoft Word, can simplify the process by consolidating and organizing tasks, and prompting for necessary information.

Creative Project Management Tools

Creative project management tools can include any number of spreadsheets, Gantt Charts and project planning documents. Organize all of this information for inclusion in this project management guide template, to ensure that nothing gets left out. Start by downloading the template, and then customize the information for each new project. Save the completed guide after the project is finished, for evaluation and process improvements.

Project Tracking Systems

A project tracking system performs many tasks within a project management solution some of which include: tracking tasks, progress, time and budgets. It is able to let the project leader know if tasks are getting done in time, if the project is on track for completion, how much time is being spent on the project and if it is over, under or still on budget.

Successful project management relies on project tracking:



The biggest criterion for a successful project is to have it done on time, on budget and on schedule. Project management software helps project leaders achieve this through its many modules and different specialized uses. Project planning software is usually included in project management software as part of the package and helps the project manager to assign tasks and delegate duties so that the project gets done on time. The combination of project planning software and a project tracking system makes for a great combination for use by project managers.



Benefits of a project tracking system:



The online project tracking system tells you if you are on time or behind, and if you are under or over budget. It also notifies you of the progress of the project so you know how much of it has been accomplished and how much remains. You can use this online project tracking system to track your project budget, implement tracking for your project schedule, track resources, changes and issues. Having all of this information at your fingertips, on demand and in real-time, helps keep your projects and your team on schedule.



Time tracking:



Time tracking is one of the biggest benefits of project tracking systems. Using time tracking enables you to keep tabs on how much time has actually been spent implementing the project. This information can be used to evaluate productivity and to make changes to the project plan if need be. The schedule of the project can be most accurately developed if the team leader is aware of the pace at which progress is being made.



Project management is the process of overseeing planning, organizing, scheduling, leading, communicating and controlling projects to achieve their desired outcomes on time and within budget. A project planning software and a project tracking system both support and identify problems within projects and their basic causes. By using online tracking services you can easily stay on target and deliver successfully

What is Project Management

Project management is the discipline of planning, organizing, and managing resources to bring about the successful completion of specific project goals and objectives.

In a way the term project manager is often misunderstood and misinterprted.

Every project should have a start and a clearly defined end and once the project is completed there should be no further need for the project manager or the project team.

Wikipedia summarises this nicely:

A project is a temporary endeavor, having a defined beginning and end (usually constrained by date, but can be by funding or deliverables), undertaken to meet unique goals and objectives, usually to bring about beneficial change or added value. The temporary nature of projects stands in contrast to business as usual (or operations), which are repetitive, permanent or semi-permanent functional work to produce products or services.