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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Wrenches:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Thanks for asking this question. I too am in need of finding a better way to juggle many complex projects. I agree with the caution below. I have wasted a lot of time on software because of the geek in me.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Another alternative for project management is a well-crafted Excel spreadsheet. I use spreadsheets extensively as do many.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>One shortfall of spreadsheet workbooks is in the finding of and drilling down to the information you want. I do not favor large quantities of workbooks with few sheets, rather I prefer fewer work books with multiple, related worksheets. The problem is then navigating within the workbooks.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>I have solved this dilemma by creating a template that has a Table of Contents for each workbook on the first page. It lists three cells from each page: Client, Project and date. I have written macros to add new sheets with a given template already copied to the new page. Also I have macros that will take me directly to a given sheet and back to the TOC with a keyboard short cut. Oft repeated commands are also represented by macros.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>My macros are undoubtedly clunky by modern standards. I am sure there is a suite of utilities available for Excel. If you have a fair grasp of Excel, you could easily start managing projects today, knowing you will be refining the tool as you progress.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Good question!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>William Miller<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Chris Mason<br><b>Sent:</b> Friday, February 21, 2014 7:18 AM<br><b>To:</b> RE-wrenches<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [RE-wrenches] Project management tool<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>The term Project Management can be applied to a wide range of tools and methodology. If your needs are only to track tasks, I would use Wunderlist as it can be installed on every device and lists can be shared.<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>If you want a real PM tool, Microsoft Project is the midrange tool of choice. There are a ton of industry specific platforms that you could use but they are mainly for large enterprises.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>The problem with PM software is you need time to design and administrate the data. In a lot of projects there is a dedicated person who coordinates all the contractor and subcontractor tasks. It is a full time job. I would be careful about launching into a PM tool that you are not familiar with while already overwhelmed. It will suck up a load of your time and return you very little gain in efficiency.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>If you have a number of people to coordinate and you think PM software to be the best way, hire a consultant to select and implement the application.<o:p></o:p></p></div></div></div></body></html>