XL-EasyGantt

A very useful free project scheduling and gantt chart product that runs within Excel.
We give it a cool category rating of 4.5/5

XL-EasyGantt by www.xleasygantt.com is by far the best free Microsoft Excel based project project scheduling and gantt chart tool that we have come across. Its strength lies in that there is no installation required and the schedule created by XL-EasyGantt is very easy to distribute.

It has a very user friendly design, easy to use and comes with useful common functions that allows a PM to create a project schedule quickly and easily. The Gantt Charts are plotted in real time as you enter the start and end dates of the project tasks using a date-picker.

Though already very easy to use, there is also help pages available by clicking on the help button.

It also allows you to track your non-working days and you can even download the holiday calender from www.xleasygantt.com website.

It is one of the tool that has caught much attention and has gained a lot of popularity in the short few months since its first release.

The current version is version 3. Follow the link to download.http://www.xleasygantt.com/default.asp

jxProject

http://www.jxproject.com

Rating 3.5/5

jxProject is a Java application that comes with an adverstisement supported free version and a commercial version. It is a simple project / gantt chart tool. This software requires the latest JRE from Sun Microsystems.

Main features include:

• Supported task link types: Finish to Start, Finish to Finish, Start to Finish, Start to Start,
• Resource User with positive/negative lag.
• Arbitrary constraints: Start After, Finish After, Start Before, Finish Before.
• Full Undo/Redo and Cut/Copy/Paste functionality.
• Full time resource leveling with user ability to enable/disable.
• A resource optimizer which automatically identifies gaps in resource schedules and moves tasks into those gaps.
• Tasks may be of fixed work, fixed duration, or fixed span. Task schedule driver is clearly indicated in the table.
• Familiar hierarchical parent/child task structure: summary task/task
  No limit to the number of links per task.
• Resource Assignments: Any combination from none, one, multiple or partial resources.
  Clear and traceable circular constraint violation messages allows user to locate dependency problems.
• Drag and Drop to move/copy tasks in the table/chart.
• Drag and Drop resources onto assigned tasks. [Multiple resources to multiple tasks in a single operation]
• Fully supports shift work scheduling such as first, second, third and/or swing shifts. Four day, ten hour days 4x10s.
• Resources inherit schedules from their parent calendars, overriding of parent schedules is fully supported.
• Each calendar has a timezone which is used consistently throughout all scheduling calculations.
• Supports scheduling of work time, time off, or paid time off.
• The user can define Full Time Equivalent (FTE) work hours for display/edit of actual work of resources.

Project in a Box

Project in a Box (http://www.projectinabox.org.uk/default.asp) community edition is a free standalone application that can be useful for PMs who follow the PRINCE 2 methods. Commercial editions for P2 Guidance Module and Professional versions for both PRINCE2 and customer methods are available.

We rate it 4/5.

The community edition has an easy user interface and you can naviate the processes in a tree structure. Based on authentic material licensed from the OGC (the owners of the PRINCE2™ manual) the applications provides easy navigation and understanding of the processes.

FreeMind

Freemind (freemind.sourceforge.net) is an open source Mind Mapping software. It is easy to use, and comes with a whole load of functions.

We rate it 4/5.

At times, Gantt Charts may not be the best way to map out the project tasks and some project managers like to view their activities in the form of mind maps. This is useful for high level initial project planning when the PM just want to sketch down his plans and key tasks and activities. Free mind is espcially useful for this aspect.

You can create multiple branches, link within the mindmap and create external URL or document links. You can also add in icons and even put the mind map up as Flash on your web site.

Personally I like this tool very much. I wish they have a Windows Mobile or Symbian version.

Cool.

dotProject

dotProject is built using free open-source applications and is produced and maintained by a small, but dedicated group of volunteers. It is programmed in PHP, and utilises MySQL for a backend database.

We give it a web based rating of 4/5.

dotProject aims to provide the project manager with a tool to manage tasks, schedules, communication and sharing.

It is used in a huge range of applications and environments, from small offices, single people trying to manage their own workload, companies, government departments, not for profit organisations, schools and so on.

dotProject is used to manage the day to day activities of project progression. It is for managing a defined workload, with a defined resource base who are co-operating to deliver a project.

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KPlato

KPlato is a standalone desktop project scheduling software that is provided free.

We provide a desktop category rating of 3/5.

Typical functions included are:

• Gantt chart with task list and resource allocations per task.
• Resource view with task allocations per resource.
• Accounts view showing planned cost with configurable cut-off date and periodicity.
• Tasks are organized in a work breakdown structure (WBS).
• Resources are organized in a resource breakdown structure (RBS).
• Accounts are organized in a cost breakdown structure (CBS).
  

Important features not included:

• Resource leveling. Resources are just allocated to the requested task even when allready booked to other task(s). The resulting conflict must be resolved manually by adding task links or constraints to avoid parallel scheduling of the tasks.
• Network view. In general.
• Project execution and follow up.

TaskJuggler

TaskJuggler (http://www.taskjuggler.org )a really nice and well presented interface. The best part is that it is Open Source and you save from having to pay huge license fee for products like MSP.

We give it a rating of 4.5/5

A good tool for project managers and it not only supports gantt charts, but cost management and what-if scenerios.

It is a modern and powerful project management tool with a new approach to project planning and tracking beyond what commonly used Gantt chart editing tools. It covers the complete spectrum of project management tasks from the first idea to the completion of the project. It assists you during project scoping, resource assignment, cost and revenue planing, risk and communication management.

You also have the options of doing your own coding and it comes with exporting to CSV files.