Overview
To select an appropriate project management too, define your team's specific needs by assessing project complexity, required features (like task management, collaboration, and reporting), budget, and existing tool integration. Ultimately, the goal is to find a tool that aligns with your team's workflow and methodology (e.g. Agile, Waterfall) and is easy for individuals to adopt and adapt as your needs evolve.
IT often receives requests for information about Project Management software in use at UA. Below are a few solutions available to the University of Alaska community for managing projects.
Comparison of Project Management Tools
Project Management Tool Comparison
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Microsoft Planner |
Microsoft Project |
Enterprise Service Management |
| Best Suited For |
- Simple projects that require basic task management
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- Large complex project, with many tasks, multitude of interdependent tasks
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- Small to large complex project, with many tasks, multitude of interdependent tasks
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| Strengths |
- Plan Templates
- Simple, unified work management experience
- Real-time collaboration, commenting, and sharing
- Grid, Board, Schedule, and Chart Views
- Integration with Microsoft Teams
- Assign responsible person(s)
- Progress Status
- Assign Priority
- Set Start, and Due dates
- Recurring tasks
- No additional cost, included with UA Microsoft contract
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- Various project tracking tools to monitor progress and identify delays or issues
- Allocate resources
- Manage project budget
- Creation of project reports
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- Project Templates
- Unified work management experience
- Real-time collaboration, commenting, and sharing
- Waterfall, or Card Wall plans
- Grid, Board, Schedule, and Chart Views
- Assign responsible person(s)
- Progress Status
- Assign Priority
- Set Start, and Due dates
- Recurring tasks
|
| Weaknesses |
- Does not support task dependencies with basic plan
- Reporting features are not as robust
- The following features are only supported with Planner Premium ad-hoc licnese
- View tasks in Timeline (Gantt chart)
- Task Dependencies
- Milestones
- View critical path
- Goals
- Task history
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- Steep learning curve
- Additional cost, ad-hoc license required
- Installed software, supports only Windows
- Compatibility issues can arise if team members are using different versions or tools
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| Example Use Cases |
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Need additional help or have issues
For support, requests may be submitted anytime using the appropriate Enterprise Service Management form. Requests generate a Ticket which will be worked in order received and urgency by IT Employees with the knowledge and permissions to assist with the request.
For immediate assistance please review the Contact Us page for the appropriate support group.