When kicking off any IT project, getting from beginning to end can be a challenge. Requirements change, budgets are tight and staying on schedule always sounds easier than it actually is. But project management templates can help.
The following collection of free project management templates come from all over -- consultancies, government organizations and universities -- and offer a range of approaches. We've also included some informative how-tos, including how to build a Gantt chart and how to craft a business case for your project.
Check out some of these free project management templates, resources, checklists and even software to see if they might make your next IT initiative a little easier.
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| Getting started: Tools, templates and checklists |
Source: Serena Software
Offering: OpenProj is free, open source
project management software and an alternative to Microsoft Project.
Source:Projectplace
Offering: A fill-in-the-blank
template that shows you how to build a project plan. Projectplace also offers other project
management templates on its website.
Source: The Office of Government Commerce (U.K.)
Offering: Free templates for building a business case.
Templates include a "fitness for purpose" checklist that covers the five key aspects every business
case should have: strategic fit, options appraisal, commercial aspects, affordability and
achievability.
Source:Project Management Docs
Offering: Project Management Body of Knowledge-based templates, covering the cycle from
project initiation to close. Some of the templates included in this list are:
- Project meeting agenda template and project charter (downloadable Word and .pdf documents)
- Communication management plan template (.pdf document)
- Cost management plan (.pdf document)
Source: CVR/IT Consulting LLC
Offering: A full list of project
management templates for free download for nonprofits, government organizations or personal
research.
Source: Key Consulting
Offering: A list of project planning
templates, graphics, resources and other information for project management -- including an
Excel project portfolio
management template.
Source: Cornell University
Offering: Detailed project planning templates covering
project initiation, project closing and more.
Source: PMIS Consulting
Offering: Free project management
templates for tracking business requirements, risks and the delivery plan.
| Creating a Gantt chart |
Source: Bright Hub
Offering: Articles addressing how to create Gantt Charts in both Excel and Microsoft Project
2007.
| Monitoring project status |
Source: ITtoolkit.com
Offering: Project
status report template covering the task, targeted end date and current status. Easy to read
and navigate.
Source: Cornell University
Offering:A project status
template that includes scope, budgeting and schedule summaries.