The first step of a project effort is a project request from a client or end user. I found this particularly useful in that it helps an organization anticipate what's coming and forecast project workloads.

I completed the Feasibility Study and then created the Project Plan, which guided me through the planning stage. What I particularly like are the included Project Templates. ProjecTrak includes templates for software development, commercial construction, Project Management Institute's PMBOK, Six Sigma, Project Office, and Rapid Application Development. I was also able to create my own templates to reflect the way I like to manage projects.

After reviewing the team members and their availability, I began assigning tasks. The Task screen provides each project team member with a complete description of what needs to be done along with timelines and dependencies. The team member updates each task with progress, issues, and time (either directly or through the weekly electronic timesheets). I found this to be particularly useful since one of my least favorite activities is going around each morning trying to find out where everyone is with their tasks. I also like that the system tracks tasks in various ways, such as by project phase, due date, resource, status, etc.

ProjecTrak Project Manager keeps tabs on project expenses, open issues (it actually allows opposing parties to negotiate and resolve the issues), and has a built-in project library. And even though I hate Microsoft Project, it's probably useful that ProjecTrak includes an integrated link for those people who just can't be weaned off of it.

The great variety of management reports impressed me. For example, the Project Budgeting report (shown in Figure B) presents rolled up time and budget information for projects across the enterprise.

FIGURE B


The Project Budgeting Report presents time and budget information. Roll over picture for a larger image.

I feel that ProjecTrak Project Manager is truly a best-of-breed package that offers the functionality required for modern project management. It clearly demonstrates what Notes and the Web can bring to project management, namely a standardized, group oriented way to access and interact with project information anytime, anywhere.

ProjecTrak Bug Tracker
As far as I know, ProjecTrak Bug Tracker is the only defect tracking software running on Notes. I'm glad it's available, since the workflow and notification features of Notes make it an ideal environment for this type of software.

You can sometimes do an effective job of managing bugs and defects using a simple spreadsheet or even sticky notes. But once a project grows beyond two or three team members, proper tracking software becomes essential.

I found ProjecTrak Bug Tracker to be a flexible and comprehensive system that's a valuable tool for organizations developing or managing projects or systems. The software lets you track, describe, and categorize defects and their fixes, and specify items like priority, severity, status, and so on. It allows for searching the history of issues previously reported, allowing technical support staff to quickly provide effective workarounds, and pinpoint common training and technical issues to be addressed by the development and training staff. Members of the technical support staff, product design, development, and quality assurance teams, and clients can use the system to document and track the progress of reported issues.