Since I cannot very well look over their shoulders all day 24x7 or ask them what they're doing each 5 mins, I depend on project tracking software to give me the info I need. The program I am now using is a bit outdated, so I am window shopping for a rather more complicated package -- which ought to be much easier now that I know precisely what to search for.

The first thing I look out for in project tracking software is simplicity of use. I need a programme with a simple interface that may take me mins to get into the swing of, not days. All the functions and menus should be obviously labeled and easily accessed so I haven't got to go hunting around for whatever I need. I know this appears like a glaring feature to request, but you would be surprised at how complicated some of today's project tracking software really is!

By using project tracking software the project manager can easily detect variances between performance and the plan and take preventive or corrective actions for the success of project and their company. For the achievement of goals, manger can make changes on task assignment, by using it. It makes easy for a manager to assign a right task to the right person. It allows tasks to be categorized according to various criteria's, including problem area, priority and expected resolution time, which increases the ability of management to delegate tasks to the right workers, which in turn improves the productivity and progress of the company.

Create a timeline for every project. Aside from making plans and reports on every project, a project tracking software would also play a kind of organizer function for the user - it would tell him just what needs to be finished when, as well as let him create a sort of calendar of activities for each activity.

The above mentioned functions are the ones that are usually inherent in all project tracking software programs. There are other products, though, that feature added functions that could help the user with his projects. Among these other functions are budget and resource tracking per task, a project dashboard for the user to have a bird's eye view of all the projects under his command regularly, and tracking for changes, issues, and risks associated with each project.