Are you a project manager? Most people who are asked this question are likely to answer that of course they are not project managers. Project Managers are people who make sure buildings are put up on time, or roll out the latest big software package throughout a company, or plan and manage the building and delivery of oil rigs etc. etc. Well yes that is true, but nearly everyone at sometime or other will act as a project manager, whether it is is getting a school report in on time, planning a new bathroom or the next family holiday. So we can say that nearly everyone is a project manager.

So if everyone is a project manager will they all benefit from using project management software such as Microsoft Project? Well I think the answer to this question is a definite and resounding no. For the small projects that most people do, specialised project software like this would be a complete overkill. A clear case of cracking a nut with a hammer. It would probably take as long to develop a plan in the software as it would to actually do the project! For most people, a simple list of things to do and the order and time by which they need to be done would be fine.

Having said that though if you are a professional, delivering services for which your client requires you to deliver a plan before starting work or you’re about to build or undertake a large renovation of your home. Then project management software like Microsoft Project will certainly help you, but beware it will only help you with scheduling tasks, not with all the other aspects of project management!

Are you a project manager? What software if any do you use?