Top 5 Best Free Project Management Software for Windows - Desktop project management software

- Desktop project management software
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Other useful material for you: 64 free project management templates
Introduction to PM: What's So Great About Project Management

I. Contents of desktop project management software

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Are you looking for a free alternative to Microsoft project professional? If you want an effective project management software that will help you organize, track, and chart your projects without spending a dime then you will be delighted to know that we have come up with the Top 5 Free Project Management Software for Windows that will give you robust project scheduling and management features that are great even for professionals!

1. Open Workbench

Open Workbench is superior project management software that does not come out as half-baked or amateurish for a free software. One of its best features include the ability of the program to also read Microsoft project files – which are not a common feature to even the paid project management programs. This program is ideal for large scale projects with its robust functionalities such as project planning, resource management, project scheduling and project review.

• Our Rating: 
• Download Open Workbench
• Home Page
• Pros: Packed with world-class scheduling applications suited to large scale projects; superior project management software comparable to the paid programs.
• Cons: Not ideal for small scale projects due to its advanced functionalities; takes time to learn the program
• OS: Windows 2000, XP or 2003 Server Edition

2. OpenProj

OpenProj is another great free tool for Windows-based desktop project management which is a great alternative to Microsoft Project. It is equipped with efficient scheduling engine. It also supports all major project management features such as resource management, task handling, project scheduling, and work bench approach. It also has a similar interface as the Microsoft project.

• Our Rating: 
• Download OpenProj
• Home Page
• Pros: easy to install; interface is similar with Microsoft project; ideal for simple and moderately complex projects;
• Cons: Some features are not designed for the novice; some features are also available only for premium members and hence you need to upgrade.
• OS: Windows 2000, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 7

3. GanttProject

GanttProject is again a free tool that offers a plethora of task building, project charting and milestone implementation. It can also export and import functions to Microsoft project which makes it a really versatile program. It is ideal for small to medium sized projects.

• Our Rating: 
• Download GanttProject
• Home Page
• Pros: Supports milestone feature that it not available with other project management tools; quick and easy to install; can save files as .xml files which makes it easy to transfer to other programs such as Microsoft project.
• Cons: It can be overwhelming if you are not familiar with using graphs, charts and bars; does not have as much functionality as Open WorkBench
• OS: Windows 7, Windows XP, Mac OSX, Linux

4. DotProject

DotProject is a free web-based project management program that provides functionality for scheduling, planning and staffing projects. The Dotproject system fundamental units are companies, projects, tasks and users. It has an extensive functionality especially when using it for task management.

• Our Rating: 
• Download DotProject
• Home Page
• Pros: it is web-based; user-friendly; superior task management functionality
• Cons: lack some fucntionalities that other web-based programs have
• OS: 64-bit and 32-bit Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP. Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, Windows Home Server 2011

5. ReqMan

ReqMan is another free project management tool that is highly versatile and configurable. It has powerful features such as questionnaire module, planning and time module and a reporting module. It is a great option for businesses and organizations to meet their particular project requirements.

• Our Rating: 
• Download ReqMan
• Home Page
• Pros: web-based program; powerful features such as questionnaire module, planning and time module
• Cons: also a bit short in some functionalities
• OS: All flavors of Windows including Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, Windows XP

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II. Project management videos

1. Top 10 Terms Project Managers Use

2. Introduction to Project Management Fundamentals

3. Project Management

III. Project management ppt

1. Project management

Project management from Satish Yadavalli

2. Project Management Concepts

Project Management Concepts (from PMBOK 5th Ed) from Jeremy Jay Lim

3. Project Management Basics

Project Management Basics from Tito Sierra

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