2. Project planning tools

There are a variety of tools and techniques which a project manager can use to ensure that a successful IT project is delivered on time and within budget.

Many of these tools focus on scheduling skills, resources, tasks and time management.

These tools are often software based and are known as 'project management tools'.

Any software which helps the project manager to plan or monitor the project could be deemed to be a 'project management tool'. At the simplest level these tools range from a simple spreadsheet to keep a record of costs or a database to store lists of suppliers or even diary software to maintain a list of appointments.

However, when we talk about 'project management tools and techniques' we tend to mean things such as:

• Gantt Charts
• Critical Path analysis (CPA)
• Program Evaluation Review Techniques (PERT)
• Project Management Software

For the purposes of this specification we will look at Gantt charts and CPA in more detail over the next few pages.