You’re managing a cross-functional team on a tight deadline. What project management tools do you use?

Jira, confluence, and Zephyr, in combination with MS teams and Agile framework as a process, would do wonders. However, the most important aspect to manage is people's motivation to adopt the tools and to follow the process. The best way to handle this is to empower people give them accountability and show them how these tools will aid them in achieving effective results.

As a manager overseeing a cross-functional team with a tight deadline, I find tools like Asana, Trello, Azure DevOps or Jira effective. These platforms enable me to track tasks, facilitate collaboration, and manage deadlines efficiently, ensuring streamlined communication within the team.

Choosing the right project management tools hinges on your team's specific needs and project complexity. For high-stakes, tight-deadline projects, opt for tools that offer robust task tracking, resource allocation, and real-time collaboration features. Tools like Jira and Asana are excellent for agile environments, while MS Project suits more traditional project management approaches. Always integrate feedback loops and ensure tools comply with IT standards for audit readiness. Successful project management is not just about tools but also effective communication, stakeholder engagement, and adaptability to project changes. Balance tool utility with best practices for a comprehensive approach to project management.

You need to reduce friction. Whatever tool you chose, you need to be sure that it is helping the team members more than it is helping the management. It is in the only way people will use the tool productively. Can you use a chat bot to automatically update tasks details, or show what's pending and who is assigned to what? People will love it and will definitely use it.

It is not just one tool for every category (pm - communication etc.) - it is mainly to change the mindset and culture from a silo based approach to a more integrated approach without many borders between departments. Any combination of tools make sense, not one fit for everyone. Mine could be Jira, ServiceNow, MS Teams, Share Point, in order to manage communication, work together, and manage cross functional projects, but the list is not limited, and tools never saved anyone, without a proper mindset, tools can assist more for speed, time and quality.

Para gerenciar equipes multifuncionais com prazos apertados, é crucial utilizar ferramentas eficientes de colaboração e gestão de projetos. Plataformas como Trello, Asana ou Monday.com oferecem funcionalidades para atribuição de tarefas, acompanhamento de progresso e comunicação em tempo real. Ferramentas de comunicação como Slack ou Microsoft Teams facilitam a troca de informações instantânea. Além disso, o uso de calendários compartilhados, como o Google Calendar, ajuda na coordenação de atividades. Ferramentas de videoconferência, como Zoom ou Microsoft Teams, também são essenciais para reuniões virtuais eficazes

In my current role, Jira is the tool that I use for epic, story, feature, bug, etc. It allows me to easily track dependencies and is easily integratable with a number of other tools we use like Aha and Miro. The only downsides are that jql queries aren't intuitive and there's also no functionality to create milestones. I did learn a trick through...I can create a release and title it as "Milestone X" and it will show on my roadmap. But that can also cause confusion with current releases.

I believe in using the right tool for the right job. For a 60 day turnaround on a decommission of nearly 200 campuses, we used MS Teams Planner. For a 5 month divestiture/merger, we used mix of Sharepoint (task tracking) and MS Teams (for comms and documentation). For a 3 month investment project, we needed to capture how much labor we invested, we used MS Project Web Access with timekeeping. Having an arsenal of tools helps deliver the best result for the request at hand. Additionally, if we need to share information with people outside the organization, we have used Smartsheets to collaborate and track work. The more important part is to have the processes stabilized behind each tool so that the use is consistent and predictable.

La herramienta que más he utilizado es Jira para la gestión del proyecto, también con el plugin para Ágiles Lo ideal es integrarlo con herramientas de desarrollo del ciclo del software como Jenkins para pruebas

Cross-Team communication is maybe the largest challenge when meeting a tight cross-team deadline. As much as people hate meetings, don’t underestimate the value of the 15-min daily standup. It’s still the most efficient way to share near real-time feedback. Tools such as Slack help with realtime collaboration but there isn’t anything like picking up the “phone” to remove organizational hurdles. Something about having that VP prioritize the meeting and therefore the importance of the deliverable.

I like Agile approach, using tools like JIRA to manage the tasks, empower the team members to support each other and deliver the projects. For collaboration I like Mural.

"Considero as ferramentas de colaboração essenciais para a eficácia no gerenciamento de projetos, o dado informado reflete muito bem minha abordagem e valores nesse contexto. A comunicação fluida e o compartilhamento de informações são pilares fundamentais para o sucesso de qualquer equipe, algo que venho priorizando ao longo da minha carreira. Em resumo, concordo plenamente com a abordagem apresentada no texto e reforço a relevância crucial das ferramentas de colaboração no meu modo de conduzir projetos, sempre visando a excelência na comunicação e na entrega de resultados."

Collaboration is often an overused phrase. Simply put though, Jira is an excellent tool for a development and agile environment while things like Slack and Teams are great for instant communication. However, there are many up and coming tools. For VC there is Webex and GotToMeeting alongside traditional zoom and Teams. Asana and Trello for projects, CodingTeam and Quip for developers alongside Jira.

O imediatismo do mundo corporativo, com a dificuldade de comunicação entre as gerações e as equipes multidisciplinares, são um gargalo a ser trabalhado arduamente com ferramentas e metodologias nos projetos. Abordagem assertiva com metodologias ágeis, pode ajudar a otimizar os esforços. As reuniões e feedback tem o poder de alinhar as expectativas, e direcionar foco pra as demandas urgentes mantendo o ritmo de evolução das etapas.

By thoughtfully considering all of the options and implementing proven best practices, you can effectively equip your cross-functional team with the best collaboration tools for the job, allowing them to navigate tight deadlines and achieve exceptional results. Keep in mind that while the tools are important, cultivating a culture of open communication and active collaboration is ultimately what drives success.

For team collaboration I prefer using SharePoint online where you can creates Teams and Projects and the data can be exchange with among eachother. It gives u the complete VersionTracker and share all documentation related to the Project the documentations can be kept in the Folder for e.g. if want to keep a track of all Drawings then simply create a Folder for the Particular project and share all documents. Anyone want to view it can simply do it by accessing it, at the same time the Folder can be shared externally.

Definitely I do recomend to use teams, now a days is very common in the industry and helps a lot to keep all the team communicated and also close communication with vendors or clients. I don't know any other tool with many collaboration tools like chat, calls, video, screen sharing.

En proyectos complejos Jira da soporte a la colaboración del equipo. Adicionalmente también es necesario facilitar la comunicación con otras herramientas como Teams …

Having a good view of the breakdown of the work is key. Being able to build the pieces and bring them together is a key for a good product at the end of the process.

As ferramentas de visualização são indispensáveis para o gerenciamento de projetos, especialmente em equipes multifuncionais e prazos apertados. Elas facilitam a comunicação, acompanhamento do progresso e a tomada de decisões. Ações práticas: - Criar um gráfico de Gantt no Microsoft Project para visualizar o cronograma do projeto. - Desenvolver um fluxograma no Lucidchart para mapear o fluxo de trabalho e identificar gargalos. - Utilizar, Tableau, Power BI ou Azure DevOps para criar painéis interativos que monitoram o desempenho do projeto em tempo real. As ferramentas de visualização são aliadas poderosas para o sucesso do projeto. Ao utilizá-las de forma eficaz, você poderá aumentar a produtividade e melhorar a comunicação nas equipes.

Smartsheet and MSTeams planner in Gantt chart view is always my go to for visualization of current status of project. Visio is the one which can be used to design end to end workflow and help in drafting process.

In the data visualization arena, Segment and Mixpanel play key roles, converting raw data into actionable insights. Segment unifies diverse data, while Mixpanel refines it with powerful analytics like cohort analysis and funnel tracking. Together, they craft a visual narrative of user behavior and engagement metrics, guiding decisions with a profound understanding of the user journey. This partnership isn't just about tools; it's a commitment to shaping meaningful stories from digital footprints.

A key project management tool for managing a cross-functional team on a tight deadline is a visualization tool. These tools enable you to create and display diagrams, charts, and graphs, facilitating the illustration of project goals, scope, schedule, dependencies, and progress. Effective use of visualization tools can aid in problem identification and resolution, process optimization, and result presentation. Popular visualization tools include Gantt charts for scheduling, flowcharts for process mapping, mind maps for brainstorming, and dashboards for real-time progress tracking.

Visualization tools are essential in project management, especially for teams with tight deadlines. They help in creating diagrams, charts, and graphs, which illustrate project goals, scope, schedule, dependencies, and progress. Popular visualization tools include Gantt charts for tracking timelines, flowcharts for process mapping, mind maps for brainstorming, and dashboards for real-time progress tracking. These tools aid in identifying and addressing problems, optimizing processes, and clearly presenting results. When selecting visualization tools, prioritize clarity, accuracy, and interactivity to effectively communicate complex project details and facilitate collaborative decision-making.

For Visualization Tool my preference will always be Visio... it can be easily integrated with Microsoft Project and others Applications. Visualization tool helps you plan you Projects, create works flows, organization charts, Build Processes for all Aspects of the Project. At the same time you can add the Project area which is completed for e.g. when you are building a Date center, you can simply add the Particular device as you progress. And you can share it with Management along with the Project Report to display the progress.

Unlock the potential of your team and take your project to new heights with the power of visualization tools. By harnessing their capabilities, you'll streamline your workflow, boost productivity, and exceed expectations.

Ferramentas de visualização desempenham um papel fundamental no gerenciamento de projetos, fornecendo uma representação visual clara e compreensível do progresso, metas e tarefas. Ao escolher uma ferramenta de visualização, é importante considerar a facilidade de uso, a capacidade de personalização, e a integração com outras ferramentas de gerenciamento de projetos.

Automation tools are vital in project management, streamlining workflows and enhancing efficiency, especially for repetitive or intricate tasks. Key types include scripts for routine tasks, macros for complex processes, bots for automated interactions, and APIs for system integration. Select tools that are relevant, reliable, and customizable to your project's needs. Properly used, these tools save time and effort, enabling your team to concentrate on strategic project aspects.

Automate as much as possible but you can't automate what you dont understand. So document processes, optimize and than automate. Never automate before exactly knowing hwo the processes are working.

Economizar tempo e esforço em gerenciamento de projetos pode também ser feito com a adoção de bots em sistemas de mensagens instantâneas, configuráveis através de plataformas "no code" ou "low code". Estes bots, fáceis de personalizar sem a necessidade de conhecimentos em programação, permitem a automação eficiente de tarefas rotineiras, desde o agendamento até o monitoramento de atividades, liberando a equipe para focar em aspectos mais críticos do projeto. Facilitam ainda a integração com outras ferramentas, melhorando a comunicação e a eficiência operacional, além de relatórios em tempo real.

Prominent options include Zapier, MS Power Automate & Integromat. Why Zapier? Zapier excels in simplicity, enabling seamless integration between various apps. However, its free tier has limitations, and complex workflows might require a premium subscription. Why MS Power Automate? It seamlessly integrates with Microsoft 365 and offers advanced automation capabilities. Yet, its complexity may be overwhelming for users seeking straightforward automation. Why Integromat? Integromat stands out for its advanced automation features, including scenario-building capabilities. However, its interface might be less intuitive for beginners. What to Keep in Mind: App Compatibility Automation Needs Cost Considerations Scalability

"One of the significant issues in the software industry is verbosity—much talk, little action. Having engaged with top-tier companies and the Big 4 for the past 30 years, I've observed that before indulging in fantasies, companies need to: 1. Backlog definition and management commitment. 2. Clear process definitions before project kickoff. 3. Grasp data governance for practical, not Excel-confined, processes. 4. Face reality – no truly agile projects with predetermined hour deadlines. 5. Quality testing commitment. 6. CI/CD implementation. Once a critical mass achieves this, then we can continue the conversation."

Today, vendors are constantly seeking to improve their tools through automation and integration with a wide variety of features, directly benefiting users. When considering implementing an automation tool, it is crucial to address three essential points: the organization's specific needs, the benefits that automation can provide, and professionals' clear understanding of what they want to automate. This is because improper implementation can result in numerous execution errors and compatibility issues, turning what should be a potential solution into an obstacle to efficiency.

Ferramentas de automação liberam tempo para tarefas estratégicas e reduzem erros, impulsionando sua produtividade. 3 ações práticas para otimizar seu trabalho: 1. Tarefas repetitivas? Automatize! Zapier, Integromat ou Microsoft Power Automate: automatize envio de e-mails, integração de dados e criação de relatórios. 2. Fluxos de trabalho eficientes: Jira ou Azure DevOps: defina etapas, responsáveis e prazos para cada tarefa do projeto. 3. Relatórios e alertas em tempo real: Tableau, Power BI ou Google Data Studio: acompanhe o andamento do projeto com relatórios e alertas automáticos. Simplifique, automatize e maximize seus resultados!

Ofcourse, automation tool is key factor in project management. As many things to do on regular basis during project span. Indeed Automation tool is helping to speed up achievement of the project timely. Many tools are available i.e. API, BOT, Scripts, etc. & this can be reusable/customizable too

ClickUp Workflow Automation stands out as a versatile and reliable automation tool that offers customization to meet your project's unique demands. Its seamless integration capabilities, report generation, and alert features contribute to a comprehensive and efficient project management experience. It helps me to automate routine tasks, saving valuable time by handling repetitive actions automatically. This allows me to focus on more critical aspects of my work.

Ferramentas de automação são essenciais para otimizar o gerenciamento de projetos, especialmente quando se trata de economizar tempo e minimizar erros em tarefas repetitivas. Ao escolher ferramentas de automação, é importante considerar a sua relevância para as necessidades específicas do projeto, a confiabilidade da ferramenta, e a sua capacidade de personalização. Além disso, é fundamental testar e validar os fluxos de automação para garantir que eles estejam funcionando corretamente e cumprindo os objetivos do projeto.

No se puede olvidar que un proyecto no solo es exitoso si se cumple en tiempo, requiere cumplirse respecto a las expectativas de las gerencias usuarias y en costo; todas las herramientas indicadas son relevantes y útiles; pero se requiere de un equipo afiatado, en el que cada quien entiende claramente sus responsabilidades y una buena PMO.

Ferramentas de feedback desempenham um papel crucial no aprimoramento da qualidade do projeto e na satisfação do cliente, permitindo coletar insights valiosos de diversas fontes. Ao escolher uma ferramenta de feedback, é importante garantir que ela seja oportuna, relevante e acionável, e que os insights coletados possam ser facilmente analisados e utilizados para implementar melhorias no projeto. Além disso, é essencial promover uma cultura de feedback aberto e construtivo dentro da equipe e com os clientes para garantir que o processo de coleta de feedback seja eficaz e produtivo.

Feedback tools are crucial for enhancing project quality and customer satisfaction. They enable the collection and analysis of insights from your team, stakeholders, and users. Utilizing surveys, polls, reviews, and ratings, these tools provide a mechanism to gauge project performance, pinpoint areas for improvement, and guide necessary modifications. Importantly, they foster trust and loyalty among customers and users. When selecting feedback tools, prioritize those offering timely, relevant, and actionable data, ensuring the feedback gathered directly informs and improves project outcomes.

Feedback on a project should be done even when a project is successful. This is to learn what we did well in the project and how it is possible to apply what we did in the successful project, also in the other projects that will be, so that they too will end successfully

Feedback é extremamente necessário em todos os momentos. Saber dar e receber feedback é fundamental para que uma gestão profissional tenha sucesso. O uso ferramentas para aplicar nos ajudam a ter um melhor direcionamento e também manter o histórico do colaborador.

Feedback tools are but a metaphor when there isn't an organizational culture actively working each day to enhance communication. Moreover, projects don't fail due to a lack of 'feedback tools'; more often than not, they falter because early warnings from those possessing essential knowledge were disregarded.

En lo personal la mejor herramienta es ver la experiencia del cliente con el resultado del proyecto. En líneas de producción es no tener errores en los equipos y que la linea funcione correctamente. En software es hacer un estudio de experiencia del cliente y ver sus reacciones, al igual que minimizar la cantidad de bugs

Ferramentas de Feedback são essenciais, pensando na qualidade. Para que os usuários finais possam dar Feedback sobre o desempenho do sistema, sobre design, usabilidade …

Ferramentas de feedback são cruciais para o sucesso de um projeto, pois fornecem insights valiosos sobre o cliente. Ações práticas : - Pesquisas Online: Utilize plataformas como SurveyMonkey ou Google Forms para criar e enviar pesquisas personalizadas para stakeholders e clientes, coletando feedback sobre diversos aspectos do projeto. - Feedback em Tempo Real: Use ferramentas como o Hotjar ou Userlytics para obter feedback instantâneo sobre a usabilidade do produto ou serviço, através de heatmaps, gravações de tela e sessões de feedback com usuários. - Análise de Redes Sociais: Monitore e analise menções ao projeto nas redes sociais, usando ferramentas como Hootsuite ou Sprout Social, para identificar pontos de melhoria.

Most of the feedback tools used by me are inhouse developed tools linked with appraisal system or third party tools Used to collect feedback for CSI.

I was about to add - exactly as per Damir's post below. We are all gifted with the best tools already. Listen, discuss, communicate, agree - regularly. I remember the days when the only other tools that we had were pen, paper and basic green screen document creation. They put a man on the moon with that. Don't rely on tools to do the thinking - tools can't see the people's eyes to indicate challenges within the team's ability to deliver.

Tools are all very well, but it’s really important to also ensure enough time is dedicated to communicating with your team and your stakeholders - it’s the people that will actually deliver the value

Apologies for the bluntness of the phrase, "A fool with a tool is still a fool." It's crucial to recognize that in scenarios with stringent timelines and high-priority deliverables, the mere reliance on sophisticated tools may not suffice. My advocated approach involves proactive and direct engagement with all pertinent stakeholders. This entails initiating phone conversations, arranging face-to-face meetings, and fostering a continuous dialogue through inquiries and discussions. I firmly believe that it is only through relentless communication and stakeholder engagement that one can adeptly navigate and successfully manage such demanding tasks. This is, of course, a perspective I hold based on my experience and understanding.

Consider just one simple thing - software is just software and you can input in it a lots of things and it can look nice, but it will not finish you project. It will just put all the project points in one place, so you and your team can follow up steps. Choose something with simple GUI and with simple surroundings, so team members can easily edit and follow.

Darryl, you hit the nail on the head, and I totally agree with you and Damir. Project management isn't just about tools. It's about best practices, methodologies, and those often forgotten, but oh-so-important soft skills. Tools alone won't cut it. These skills help with effective collaboration, decision-making, navigating the twists and turns, fostering collaboration, and bringing the project safely across the finish line. And finally, we can't forget about good old common sense. Sometimes, even with all the tools and methodologies, a project manager needs to rely on intuition, experience, and plain old logic to make the right decisions. It's like having a secret weapon in their back pocket.

I agree that tools help in different ways and as the article mentions; However, a clear process (visible, repeatable, achievable and auditable) for the team is the basis of the automation that will lead to the timely achievement of the objectives. I have read several great comments on this article, good opportunity to reflect about we make it.

É muito importante ter apoio tecnológico para viabilizar a conclusão das atividades em tempo, porém um fator super importante é a comunicação, um projeto desafiador com prazo apertado, muitas pessoas envolvidas, não há espaço para aceitar furos de comunicação.

Gerenciar Projetos, sejam em TI ou outra área, requer o uso de ferramentas que permitam acompanhar o desenvolvimento das atividades e a evolução das entregas. Para além desta questão da produtividade, também conseguimos dimensionar os esforços do time, quais são os impeditivos das entregas e uma solução. Quando o conhecimento em gerenciamento de projetos se funde com o uso de ferramentas adequadas e um método ágil que apoie essa gestão, sem dúvidas há o aumento da qualidade das entregas e desta percepção por parte do sponsor e stakeholders do projeto. Recomendo fortemente seguir as premissas do PMI para aprimoramento das técnicas e boas práticas.