Project planning tools: just nice graphs or much more?

Karolina Eriksson

Linnéa Lindgren

Abstract

This study was conducted in order to illustrate and examine past and present project management tools, their use and development. We have chosen to examine one project management tool designed to meet the new demands placed on project management tools. These demands were raised as the work methods changed and the market has become increasingly complex.

The study shows that project management tools provide significant benefit, as long as they are built on proper foundations, and used properly. In order for a project management tool to achieve its full potential, it should be designed for a working methodology, and meet basic usability criteria in terms of efficiency and effectiveness. In addition, users must be familiar with the methodology and the tool's features. A project management tool is important for a project's results, but it is not a single cause for success. Instead, what basically determines a project's results is primarily the people involved and their achievements.