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A remarkable trend has hit the technology industry hard, with more and more enterprises opting for web-based applications in lieu of traditional software packages. This model is reflected in the field of project management, where online tools are multiplying like rabbits. No longer to teams have to rely on Excel spreadsheets, Powerpoint presentations, and Project’s limited tracking functions. These web-based project management tools can help an enterprise not only manage scheduling, budgets, resources, and communications, but they can also help identify best practices throughout the product development process.

One reason web-based applications for project teams has been so popular is its ability to connect users from anywhere in real-time. Many manufacturers have relationships with groups in China or Mexico, while many IT developers have teams in India. Using a web-based tool solves the time zone problem as well as the “versioning” problem, so every team member has access to the same information.

Open Workbench is a good example of a web-based, open source project management tool. It’s optimized for Windows, with similar functionality to Microsoft Project (a comparison page is available on the Open Workbench website). The code is available for customization, and like most open source tools, it is free to any number of users and any type of organization. They make a profit through training documentation, though user forums are also available at no cost. Open Workbench is also available in French and German, allowing international enterprises to collaborate within the same application.

Another key player in this industry is Mingle, a product of ThoughtWorks Studios. It is geared specifically towards Agile software development teams. The set up mimics a “card wall” or “sticky note wall,” so that it mimics the old standard tracking method of leaving notes for team members. The tasks can be arranged and color-coded according to their importance and time sensitivity. Though web-based like Open Workbench, it’s not open source, which allows for little independent customization. It’s also not free. At $59 per user per month, it could be an expensive tool for larger teams.

Another good option is Project Insight, who’s client list includes toy companies, software developers, ad agencies, and design firms. Their goal is to create features that, “satisfy experienced project managers and are easy enough for team member to learn and adopt.” The pricing model is slightly more affordable than Mingle, starting at $250 a month for the package plus hosting. Project Insight is also carefully integrated with MS Office products, allowing users to import existing Project files into Project Insight. The most interesting thing about their tool is it’s appeal to different development teams in different industries. For example, Razor USA, best known for the Razor scooter, has incorporated Project Insight into their team activities including design, development, and manufacturing. “The [Razor] product design and development team is in Los Angeles and the manufacturing is in Asia, so coordinating tasks and activities across the globe is imperative.” This web-based model allows collaboration in real-time.

Project management software is one of the early adopters of the trend towards web-based applications, and we’ll likely see more tools for enterprise following this model. As businesses continues to embrace the global economy, software will also need to adapt to meet the needs of international development teams.

Thursday, February 14th, 2008 Both comments and pings are currently closed.

By Haley January Eckels