4 Tools To Help Project Managers The work of a project manager is quite literally spelled out in the name. One on those lines would assume the work is all about allotting tasks and completing projects. In a broad sense this assumption is not far from the truth however, a project manager does much more than these two tasks.

By Kavya Pillai

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Unsplash

The work of a project manager is quite literally spelled out in the name. One on those lines would assume the work is all about allotting tasks and completing projects. In a broad sense this assumption is not far from the truth however, a project manager does much more than these two tasks. In definition, a project manager is the individual responsible for delivering the project.This individual leads and manages the project team, with authority and responsibility from the project board.

Several times a project manager is working simultaneously on several projects with one or more than one team. In such instances tasks of a manager increase and makes it difficult to see a project through effectively. Here are 4 tools a project manager could use to make their work efficient.

1. Microsoft Project

Microsoft Project helps managers not just in planning tasks but developing, distributing resources and tracking progress. The MS project has an intuitive interface and is a highly regarded software solution to help assist your tasks. The software simply put is a database of simple automation possibilities and has three blocks; tasks, resources and calendar. The main advantage is Efficient organization of work using MS Project scheduling Complete and convenient tracking of all changes and project developments Highly customizable schedules to comply with specific projects Various possibilities for representation of projects, adding ideas, filtering data Prediction and prevention of risks Summary reports and efficient management of records

2. Trello

At work, multiple tasks, emails and notifications create chaos. It is imperative to be able to get your tasks organised according to their level of importance. Offices thrive when they keep every employee on the same page, touch base and allocate new tasks efficiently. Trello, simply put, helps gain this clarity for businesses. It is a free tool that tracks the progress of individuals and teams. It also integrates other prominently used tools like Google Drive, Slack and more to keep a clear track of work. Trello has an easy user interface which means, it won't take you long to learn how to use it. Teams like Sales, Marketing, HR and Operations, can design and customize Trello to fit their own needs and working styles. The tool's integrations help you manage cross-team collaborations efficiently without losing your time on repeating communications.

3. Evernote

Evernote is a tool that can help build a huge knowledge base for project managers. It can be used to create to-do lists and store all kinds of information about your projects in files and notes. In addition, Evernote can be supplemented by other tools needed by PMs. It is a cloud-based project management tool, which you can access from any device - smartphone, tablet or PC. There are several tools in Evernote, which in combination enable you to manage your tasks effectively. Evernote provides assigned access for different users. For personal tasks, you can use an individual notebook. If you work with a team and want to challenge your employees, then it is better to work on a pad with public access, allowing you to determine the levels of access for different kinds of colleagues.

4. SmartDraw

SmartDraw is one more tool for creating a variety of graphs, charts and presentations. With this app you can quickly and easily construct flow charts, PowerPoint presentations, mind maps and other images. The program offers more than 70 of these types of material. SmartDraw provides a set of templates for a variety of goals such as project charts, decision trees, genograms and many other types of visual data. It supports cloud service, so you can share graphs, charts and diagrams with the team. SmartDraw is much easier to use than Visio and comes in both MS and macOS versions.

Kavya Pillai

Former Correspondent

Science & Technology

How AI Is Turning High School Students Into the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs

As AI reshapes education, students are turning school problems into products and building the future economy.

Business News

Anthropic Is Now One of the Most Valuable Startups of All Time: 'Exponential Growth'

In a new funding round earlier this week, AI startup Anthropic raised $13 billion at a $183 billion valuation.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Growing a Business

Grow Your LinkedIn Audience 10x With These Expert Tips

See the methods top professionals use to grow influence and drive results.

News and Trends

How Lab-Grown Diamonds are Reshaping Jewellery Market

As sustainability takes the centre stage shaping the luxury market, lab grown diamonds (LGDs) are leading the way and not merely following the latest trends, says Ishendra Agarwal, Founder, Giva

Growing a Business

How Building Tech With No Tech Background Taught Me the Most Valuable Skill in Business

The most valuable skill in business today is translation — the power to bridge vision and execution, clarity and complexity, strategy and reality.