SmartWorks Project Planner is a cost-effective project management software that helps plan, track, and analyze project parameters using Gantt charts, PERT charts, Network Diagrams, Risk, and Cost graphs throughout the project lifecycle. It's a comparable alternative to MS-Project.
SmartWorks Project Planner is an excellent software tool for planning, managing, and tracking projects. The software provides a high degree of flexibility to split projects into well-defined tasks using an intuitive spreadsheet-like interface. As a result, project managers can quickly define calendars, set task dependencies, mark milestones, assign resources, and set priorities with ease.
In addition, the software includes a range of powerful features that enable managers to maintain a risk database, manage costs, view Gantt charts, and import plans created in MS-Project. One notable feature of the software is Earned Value Management, which provides an accurate assessment of a project's current state as well as anticipated project performance.
The Resource Dependent Calendar feature allows users to define the working days within a project, and set the number of working hours in a day. The software also includes Drag-and-drop attachments for quick and easy uploads of necessary documents.
Using the Project Creation Wizard, managers can quickly and easily create new projects. The software also allows creation of new tasks by breaking larger projects into smaller ones with a Summary view displaying project health based on the number of tasks and their duration.
Users can add multiple resources and assign task owners to individual tasks. The software also allows seamless changes to task status in terms of percentage completion to mark progress. A Printable Gantt chart is also available as equivalent to the plan.
For a more in-depth project analysis, managers can utilize the Critical Path in the Gantt Chart feature for dynamic calculation of critical path and task slack. The software also comes with Tasks filters for easy viewing of specific tasks, and Network Diagram to view the project flow in a visual manner.
The software provides an automated reminder for lagging tasks, and Estimation view projects the completion schedule based on the current status. Customizable warning mail configuration support is also present to alert managers about lagging tasks or tasks which are about to miss their deadlines. A built-in risk management with mitigation and contingency features, as well as a global risk database, further provides better resource allocation that help managers carry out their tasks more smoothly.
Overall, SmartWorks Project Planner is an well-designed, easy-to-use software tool that offers a full range of features needed by project managers, and is highly recommended for businesses of all sizes. A free 30-day trial version of the software is available to try before fully committing to the purchase.
In addition, the software includes a range of powerful features that enable managers to maintain a risk database, manage costs, view Gantt charts, and import plans created in MS-Project. One notable feature of the software is Earned Value Management, which provides an accurate assessment of a project's current state as well as anticipated project performance.
The Resource Dependent Calendar feature allows users to define the working days within a project, and set the number of working hours in a day. The software also includes Drag-and-drop attachments for quick and easy uploads of necessary documents.
Using the Project Creation Wizard, managers can quickly and easily create new projects. The software also allows creation of new tasks by breaking larger projects into smaller ones with a Summary view displaying project health based on the number of tasks and their duration.
Users can add multiple resources and assign task owners to individual tasks. The software also allows seamless changes to task status in terms of percentage completion to mark progress. A Printable Gantt chart is also available as equivalent to the plan.
For a more in-depth project analysis, managers can utilize the Critical Path in the Gantt Chart feature for dynamic calculation of critical path and task slack. The software also comes with Tasks filters for easy viewing of specific tasks, and Network Diagram to view the project flow in a visual manner.
The software provides an automated reminder for lagging tasks, and Estimation view projects the completion schedule based on the current status. Customizable warning mail configuration support is also present to alert managers about lagging tasks or tasks which are about to miss their deadlines. A built-in risk management with mitigation and contingency features, as well as a global risk database, further provides better resource allocation that help managers carry out their tasks more smoothly.
Overall, SmartWorks Project Planner is an well-designed, easy-to-use software tool that offers a full range of features needed by project managers, and is highly recommended for businesses of all sizes. A free 30-day trial version of the software is available to try before fully committing to the purchase.
What's New
Version 4.9: N/A
Version 4.8: Support Earned Value Management (EVM), Enhancements to Resource allocation