The first step in using project management software would normally be to define general management information, which would include the project name, with start and end dates of the project. Each activity, as it is entered, will be allocated a unique ID, and the dependencies between it and other activities.
The input display is often similar to a spreadsheet, in that the user is presented with a grid of cells in which to enter the data to be concerted into a schedule. The software will convert the input data into a Gantt chat, or a network diagram as required.
Another screen may ask for resources that are to be allocated to each of the activities and produce a resource scheduling diagram or table for the project manager. Wrike.com offers easy-to-use, yet effective software tools for online project management.
The software is considerably more superior then a drawing tool, incorporating a large storehouse of rules and data for both the rules for the management techniques, and the individual projects.
Most project management software packages will create critical path networks, Gantt chats, resources histograms, billing information cost estimates, actual times and costs incurred, reports for project managers and the steering committee. As with most project management software packages, it achieves what conventionally human project management has always achieved, but with greater efficiency and speed, and with the aptitude to handle much bigger complexities.