BossTalks.com Tag: project

myrrha on "Online project management tool + issue tracking"

myrrha — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 07:10:35 +0000

Hi! I would like to recommend Binfire. Binfire is a project management tool for teams which has cool features, and is generally user-friendly.

Please visit this website:
http://www.killerstartups.com/Web-App-Tools/binfire-com-manage-projects-online

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myrrha on "Online project management tool + issue tracking"

myrrha — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 07:09:59 +0000

Hi! I would like to recommend Binfire. Binfire is a project management tool for teams which has cool features, and is generally user-friendly.

Please visit this website:
http://www.killerstartups.com/Web-App-Tools/binfire-com-manage-projects-online

(read more)

Charlotte on "Online project management tool + issue tracking"

Charlotte — Mon, 23 May 2011 03:34:32 +0000

Hi All! Im here to announce you new WorkforceTrack Software which has Project Management Tool, CRM, HRMS, and Accounting Tools. Moreover, it can integrate with Applications as Google Apps, MS Project, Outlook, in accounting field - Quickbooks, Android and iPhone, Blackberry integration is also available. Its worth to check out: www.workforcetrack.com

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jkeppens on "Scrum startegy: the missed Project Manager"

jkeppens — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 01:43:18 +0000

Scrum doesn't need a Project Manager. In the projects I worked with, we typically give the Product Owner role to the PMs. It works fine as long as the PM takes onboard the responsibilities and limitations that come with the role.

1. he is the owner of the product back log. Basically he communicates to business and creates the user stories and adds them to the backlog. He is in charge of deciding what priority each item on the back log has. This means basically he is in a effect in charge of planning and deciding what features are developed when. (initial estimations are done with the dev team at projects I work with. We estimate in complexity points, which means you estimate how much work something is compared to another task you did. The PO then puts a time on this).

2. the product owner calculates each sprint what the available complexity points are for the team. This is done taking holidays, vacation, etc... in mind. Based on this calculated number, he makes a prioritized list of backlog items he would like done in the sprint. This is discussed with the team during the first part of the sprint meeting (at the start of the sprint). In the second part of our sprint meeting (we call it the technical sprint), our dev team typically does small analysis of the stories and divides them in tasks. We then estimate the tasks and if needed we split the tasks further (task max 2 working days or 13h actual work). Based on this we couple back to the PO what the real estimates are and he can decide to add a story or remove a story if needed. Very important: never overcommit! it doesn't work!

3. during the sprint, the team has their daily scrum meetings. All problems and questions that arise are relayed back to the PO by the Scrum Master. The PO is then responsible for providing answers on the questions. In our company we also relay things such as "we need 2 extra servers" to the PO and he talks to the responsible departments for it.

4. If for some reason extra important features are required, the PO has the possibility to halt the sprint and start a new sprint. This is an exceptional situation and should be used with care. Never start messing with the content of your sprint mid sprint: emergency break + new sprint.

Earlier I said that the PM should also take on the limitations of the PO role to make it work. With this I mean that:

1. he should stay away from the team as much as possible mid sprint. Asking "is it done?" a million times leads to frustration. If developers can concentrate for a longer period of time, you loose momentum and your velocity drops. If there are issues, the SM will inform the PO. You need a good SM that dares to say NO to the PO btw. An SM that always says "yes", will lead to contra-productive situations.

2. he should not try to (micro-)manage the project or play boss. Scrum leads to self-managing teams. It works quite fine. Interaction in the team is very important and a good mix between junior and senior members where the juniors receive coaching by the seniors is needed.

3. if working with a burndown chart, keep it away from your PO, unless he knows how to interprete it. A burndown chart is not rocket science and it surely isn't a straight line down. If the PO starts panicking when you are above the most ideal line (especially in Greenhopper where it's a straight line down, while it's actually a curved line with slow slope in the beginning and steeper at the end), it will lead to frustration, annoyance and mockery.

With kind regards,

Jeroen

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timesolve on "Online project management tool + issue tracking"

timesolve — Mon, 24 May 2010 00:38:37 +0000

Hi,
I would like to share my experience about Web Hosted Solution for Project Management.
Control your projects and budgets and bill faster with WorkSolv project management system integrated with TimeSolv time billing software. TimeSolv & WorkSolv can be accessed by all parties from any location through the internet 24/7.
For details one can contact them at:
http://www.timesolv.com/timesolv_worksolv.html
TimeSolv Corporation
3432 Denmark Avenue, # 105
Eagan, MN 55123

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scottcobb on "Experience a powerful collaborative MPP Viewer With ValleySpeak Project Server"

scottcobb — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 03:29:55 +0000

Experience a powerful collaborative MPP Viewer With ValleySpeak Project Server

ValleySpeak project server is a centralized MPP Viewer that enables viewing and sharing of Microsoft Project schedules with team members in real time without investing in expensive multiple Microsoft Project licenses. ValleySpeak project is a hosted MPP Viewer that enables team members to view their respective tasks as per the Project on their web interface.

Team members can also update their task status and on approval it gets reflected on the Microsoft Project files of the project manager. Only the project manager needs Microsoft Project. The team members can view their MPP tasks through the web interface.

ValleySpeak is easy to use and enhances project collaboration within the team. Project managers will appreciate this MPP Viewer because it extends data to help sharing Microsoft project files with remote team members. Because the hosted project management software is web accessible, resources working from other sites will be able to view and update project information in real time.

ValleySpeak project empowers the project manager with a powerful project management tool, that greatly enhances project execution efficiency. ValleySpeak Project server is a sophisticated MPP viewer with a host of additional features like Document and timesheet management, a roles based dashboard and portfolio management extend management capability of this MPP Viewer across the enterprise. Security and control concerns are addressed with this MPP viewer because the files always remain on the local host.

Salient Features of ValleySpeak Project server as a MPP viewer

Only Team Members of your choice have privileges to be able to make changes to the project status details
Team members use most updated schedule
Collaborate with Team Members in a central place to capture and discuss important topics and decisions
Built in calendar which helps keep track of the project meeting

Allow team members to report their work status on a daily basis and get it approved by the Reviewer/Project Manager
Keep projects on track and make sure critical issues don’t fall through the cracks
Reduce project execution risks by allowing Team Members to create and monitor risks
Get a canned view of project progress by generating several reports
Team Members and Project Managers do not need to install any software to get up and running
New improved Template work flow, where Project manager can save and share the work template

Use your own SMTP settings - Admins can now use their own SMTP settings to control email flow
Resource utilization report
Complete Portfolio reporting

ValleySpeak project Server a an MPP Viewer will be an indispensable part of any project management activity. The cost and time savings realized through implementing of ValleySpeak project server generally leads to huge project management cost savings

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Terryausten on "Online project management tool + issue tracking"

Terryausten — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 01:08:04 +0000

Hey,
we use Valleyspeak Project Sever http://www.valleyspeak.com this allows the team members to read the project schedule, and update the task status by an easy browser access.

Key Benefits
1. Provides 100% two way integration between Microsoft Project tasks and ValleySpeak Project Server
2. Provides comprehensive features like Timesheets, Issue Tracking, Risk Management, Document Management
3. Free and automatic upgrades so that you are always using the latest version of the ValleySpeak Project Server
4. Hassle free Pay as you grow model
5. No restriction of number of projects that one can manage through ValleySpeak Project Server
6. Option to migrate out with your data anytime, your data on resides on your desktop and is under your control at all times
7. Secure and Web Based with support for all major browsers for team members

We didn't have to download any software... It was easy to sign up and start using.
Best project management software which I have come across and happy working with it.

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haljordan5 on "Online project management tool + issue tracking"

haljordan5 — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:49:22 +0000

can anyone suggest any web apps that do project management, time and billing, and CRM?

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haljordan5 on "Online project management tool + issue tracking"

haljordan5 — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 01:16:25 +0000

can anyone make any suggestions?

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haljordan5 on "Online project management tool + issue tracking"

haljordan5 — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 07:39:32 +0000

Is there an affordable all in one solution web application that does project management, timesheet billing, and CRM?

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annasmith on "Scrum startegy: the missed Project Manager"

annasmith — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 04:43:37 +0000

I have found a software which Shares Microsoft Project schedules with team. Includes Project Portfolio Management, Issue Tracking, Risk Management, Timesheet Management, Document Management, Calendar Management, Forums, Reports and Project Dashboard.

A good hosted Project Management software that suits my EPM needs is called valleyspeak project server, which I found at http://www.valleyspeak.com. One of the main reasons why I like the software is the fact that I could continue to work in Microsoft Project 2007 while sharing my Microsoft Project plans with my teams.

ValleySpeak Project Server provides 100% 2-way integration with Microsoft Project 2007. While Project Managers can continue to plan and manage projects using Microsoft Project 2007 as usual, Team Members can now view and submit updates to the project plans in real time, simply by using any web browser.

Because it is a hosted service, I did not have to buy expensive software or deal with installation and maintenance headaches. The functionality that I have with valleyspeak to manage my geographically dispersed teams works well for me. We also evaluated Basecamp and some other solutions but were not impressed.

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green on "Online project management tool + issue tracking"

green — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 09:27:32 +0000

Can I build Gantt charts with Wrike? Can I create/update/view schedule for team members? What are the ways how can I see/control where we are standing at this moment in the project?
Do they have different plans? I can barely see us using 3Gb, and I would like to decrease those $49 per month... :-)

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Tempera on "Online project management tool + issue tracking"

Tempera — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 05:08:02 +0000

Hi!
We're using Wrike.com. It works for both: project management and bug+issue tracking. It’s very simple. To track a bug I create an email to somebody in my team, put wrike’s address into CC field, add a screenshot and some comments. The task on the bug is automatically put into the system and we track it together. The tool is cheap too, cause you get like 3 GB of storage for the same $49 per month.

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white on "Do Extreme strategies leave managers alone?"

white — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 15:26:39 +0000

I am not mixing these, I'm just trying to look at things with more wide angle then you do. Yes, we can divide any process into some parts, but they are stay interconnected. Development process is fine. However, didn't you ever see a very qualified person, a senior technical specialist, who lacks knowledge how to manage people or time? It's an essential knowledge, but not that much of technical geeks know how to do this right, if ever interested at all.

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andy on "Do Extreme strategies leave managers alone?"

andy — Sat, 24 Mar 2007 21:44:13 +0000

I think you mix up personal management and project maangement. As open-source projects and startup companies show there is no little need for project management if there are enough Senior developers and the projects have enough freedom from the business driving the project.

Developing software is a Craftsmanship type of business something between art/creativity and skills/knowledge. In the old days there were no need to manage a craftsman because he knew what and how to do it. As soon as we started to replace them with underqualified personel management became importent as well as quality assurance. I am convinced that any project is better of with a small set of highly skilled and experienced developers that with a army of junior developers and believe many senior developers still as juniors in my book.

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andy on "Scrum startegy: the missed Project Manager"

andy — Sat, 24 Mar 2007 17:30:36 +0000

Sorry, but software development does not need management. You need management for the company and its employees but not to develop software
First: Team Spirit: team spirit is built by developing great software, challanging tasks and good working environment. I start to gag when people talk about how to motivate developers. If you need to get drunk then go together to a bar and drink beer.
Second: Conflicting Situation: normally the business drives that and IMHO senior developer should be able to find a solution if the conflict is technical nature otherwise fire them. Any Senior Developer who thinks that his way is the only way is not Senior at all. Unfortunately there are many developers out there who think they are Senior but which aren't.
Third: People Management: many projects are composed of many developers and in bigger companies their are coming from different departments are so they are not managed by the PM or Scrum Master. In my opinion the developers' manager should not be part of the project and if the company is quite small then it someone from the upper management anyhow which are most likely not involved in the project.

Just look at JBoss, Apache or Linux where the is no people management made within the project and they still drive. Of course, that is only true for the development side of the projects.

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white on "Scrum startegy: the missed Project Manager"

white — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 17:37:20 +0000

Well, so who is expected to manage people if not PM? I know that Scrum people call it Scrum Master, who's defined as a mentor and the one who is responsible for making decisions. However, people management as an essential part of any project and somebody has got to be responsible for this, too.

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green on "Scrum startegy: the missed Project Manager"

green — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 17:36:02 +0000

Guys, let's imagine the following team - 2 senior developers, 4 developers, 1 junior developer. They are working on same project. Who lead be accountable for the project progress? Who will be responsible? Who will make decisions in conflicting situations? Who will be able to manage people and build team spirit? Andy, it's not one senior developer (who really can be project manager at the same time), but two.
I agree to stop giving names. But one person in a team has to be main, very senior -- you name it. But he will be moving the project forward.

Loose management sucks. It's better no management at all. But sometimes no management can screw up best team, best project and best idea.

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andy on "Scrum startegy: the missed Project Manager"

andy — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 08:47:38 +0000

I think that the PM normally does not manage people but the project. A PM is only necessary and crucial when the developers need a manager because they are not experienced enough. Any senior developer can manage himself and knows best what to do and how. I don't think the PM role should be rotated but the project should be split up into sub projects where someone is leading it. This also could mean that two developers share this position. I also don't like the process for the sake of the process. Scrum does not work because you like it but because the company is living it. If you forgot about the process you will find that the Scrum process if used in open-source projects quite a lot..

Well, today a lot of the software we are using are open-source software and therefore are commercialist by some means. The nature of open-source projects shapes the development team quite a lot but because it works so good maybe companies should try to adopt it. A few key features of open-source is that is have some strong technical leaders or visionaries, the developers are all senior or at least have the drive to become one and they all work in a very losely coupled team where management is done through motivation rather than authority.

-Andy

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white on "Scrum startegy: the missed Project Manager"

white — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 16:00:27 +0000

By the way, the open source product is not a commercial product, and vice-versa. I believe that at some point there is a very significant difference, especially concerning the people management.

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