Project Management
Project Planning Tools
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Learning Objectives
Storyboards
Image of a Storyboard, Image by Ryzom, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Storyboards are a planning tool that displays images in a chronological sequence, usually to display a motion picture. However, it can also be used to plan the design process of how a user interacts with a product.
Site Maps
Image of the Google Site Map, Image by Ryzom, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Site maps are a planning tool that allows a user to visualise the hierarchical pages of a website and the number of clicks required to access each page. This tool is used typically for projects involving websites or web applications.
Flow Charts
Image of a Flow Chart of the process to go shopping, Image by Clinton Forry, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Flickr
A diagram used to explain a work flow or process. Flow charts shows a series of chronological steps and the relationship between each step.
Gantt Charts
Image of Sample Gantt Chart for Film Production, Image by HarryTruinkers, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gantt Charts are horizontal bar charts that list the tasks of a project and their approximate completition date. It also compares actual progress to estimated progress to allow project managers to clearly evaluate project performance.
Project Management Software
Image of Monday.com project management software. Image and rights reserved by Monday.com.
Exposure to the use of project management software is limited as they are usually high cost and financially out of reach for most schools, as a result they are not credited in exams or assignments. However, below are some sample project management software tools:
Microsoft Project: Microsoft project planning software that utilises cloud technology to allow managers to view the progress of projects in real time. The software features power virtual collaboration tools, simple user interfaces and seamless integration with office 365.
Monday.com: A simple online project management tool, this tool allows you to easily see the status of a project and where current responsibilities lie, budget tracking and more. OmniPlan Project management software for Mac, iPhone and iPad,
OmniPlan: allows for powerful features including integrated budgeting, network diagrams, split tasks and export/import functions to Microsoft Project.
