This resource is a free list of tools for project management. Traditional project management tools are covered, as well as SCRUM, Agile, and Kanban tools that are available. The site ranks the tools, giving excellent information and links to the pros and cons of all the software options available.
Type of Material:
Reference Material
Recommended Uses:
This is recommended for homework, by individuals or teams with the potential for follow-up discussion in a lecture as an interactive activity.
This is recommended for professional use.
A very good tool for IT classes where project management would be a necessary tool - giving students options for free tools
Could be a good "demo" type of exercise, for students to choose one and demonstrate it in class
Could be given as an option for students to use on a simulated project exercise
Technical Requirements:
Firefox ver 85.0.1, Chrome
Adobe reader ver 21.001.20135
Microsoft 365 ver 16.0.13530.20440
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Learn about project management tools/software that are available today
Learn project management with very little upfront costs and in many cases can learn project management for free
Use the material to assess the learner's needs for project management software
Determine if free software is the right solution for your organization
Determine which free software project managed solution is best for your needs
Target Student Population:
Undergraduate or graduate Project Management class - especially IT related, but could be used in a systems analysis class as well
Professional
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
None
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
A very clear and concise grouping of different software, ranked by pros and cons
Very current software selections and links to all of the detailed features of the software
Excellent research has been done based on the needs of a typical project manager
The difference between project management versus work management is articulated and discussed.
The selection methodology is available on the site through a live link.
The 10 free project management software options are listed alphabetically and reviewed in the article.
Detailed feature descriptions are available through a live link and in the article to include such information as free plans and paid plans.
Limitations for free versions are listed (for example, maximum number of users, storage space available, free or paid).
Concerns:
This is a list of software, so a user experience could be very different - each link goes to screenshots, but you may not have all the resources necessary to fully understand the software
Would not likely be as flexible as an instructor would like - a faculty would have to be very clear about how homework would be submitted from various different types of software
Does not provide complete demonstrations - thus a student could get frustrated trying to find the best software for their use
Pop-up ads on the site can be annoying.
It is possible some of these are now out of date because of how rapidly technology changes.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
A great list of pros and cons for each software - based on features needed for project managers
Would be fairly easy to integrate into assignments, as long as the faculty is clear on how the software is used
You can learn a lot in a short period of time for students that are already aware of their needs in project management software
This could also make an assignment that highlights product differences and possible usage.
Links are available throughout the article to find more information on the products listed.
Pictures provide examples of some views available in the software.
Concerns:
Learning objectives are not defined, thus a faculty will have to give thought to that
A faculty will have to identify prerequisite knowledge, so a student knows how to assess the information on the resource
Assume a person will know what they need in project management software
Anyone interested in these products must have a working knowledge or least some knowledge about project management, time management, applications (apps) and other relevant IT.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
The interface is easy to use and easy to follow
The interface is very intuitive - any student would be able to use it and navigate it
Very visually appealing - with good graphics
Positive feedback from different users is provided under the comment section.
Pictures of different parts of the software are included for demonstration purposes.
The methodology updates effective 12/15/20 are provided so readers can see the comments about what was changed from the original article.
Concerns:
Not ADA compliant - would be even better for students if there are consistent options for learning (words, audio, visuals, etc)
Tutorials would be good, very reliant on the project management software site for those to be available
Some of the software would likely be much more difficult to implement within a class timeframe
Creative Commons:
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