Project timeline software: managing the processes of project timeline planning and project timeline tracking

Drawing timeline with software
Experienced project managers know that the key component to a successful project is a well-organized and balanced project timeline which can be created by using tool.  Complete timeline is the guarantee that the start and the finish will be on-time and the project plan will be successfully fulfilled taking into account the schedule and the budget. Project management timeline software allows to draw the project timeline through representing it as two consistent processes, including the planning process and the tracking process.

The project timeline planning process
A project timeline (project time line) is a one of several horizontal lines in the chart (each line is drawn at specific points in time) to relate the completion of two or more tasks to the start of other tasks. The beginning of the timeline is the start line and the end of it is the finish line. When project manager initiates a new project, he uses software to create the timeline and to schedule tasks. With software the manager can run the planning process and set job requirements. Each project has different time requirements. It depends on the scale, plan, goals, available resources and other requirements. Running the project timeline planning process, the manager schedules each task, assigns project resources and outlines the exact time requirement for each job.

The tracking process
In order to efficiently track the project, the manager runs the process which represents the amount of time spent on a task, the amount of effort spent by each team member and the total amount of all materials and resources spent during the project. Project timeline software helps the manager to measure job performance, estimate project characteristics and make correction of ongoing activities. During the project timeline tracking process the manager collects critical data on the project to ensure the project runs in accordance with the timetable.

VIP Task Manager is task and software that allows you to create timelines and task schedules in a few clicks. This software has Calendar tool where you can design timelines by using 'task grid' view. In VIP Task Manager the timeline is a time grid that displays tasks assigned to project resources at a specific time/date. Each task in the timeline can be scheduled by using such attributes as 'Due date', 'Start date', 'Finish date', 'Estimated time', and others. The software keeps history of all changes during the project so the manager can use task History Panel to be aware of task changes. The feature list of the VIP Task Manager includes the following major features:

• Task Tree. In the VIP Task Manager the timeline can be represented as a project tree that contains all tasks and sub-projects of a project. Task Tree displays sub-projects and tasks with due dates, start and finish dates, and other scheduling characteristics.
• Printing and Exporting. If manager needs to get a hard copy of the timeline, he can use Print Option in the software. In Task Tree tool of the VIP Task Manager the tasks on the timeline can be exported to HTML and Excel file.
• Tasks emailing. The VIP Task Manager sends tasks of the project timeline to all assigned resources by e-mail. This feature is extremely important for those projects in which team members are located out of the office, so they cannot access the project database and watch the timeline.
• Reporting. Tasks can be sent to Report Builder in which the manager can create a HTML or RTF report. TheVIP Task Manager project timeline tool lets customize the task report.

You can evaluate VIP Task Manager for free within 30 days. During this trial period you can get free online tech support. The software is based on client/server technology allowing you to create instant collaboration and communication between members of your project. The VIP Task Manager project timeline software stores the database on a dedicated server or a regular computer.

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