The Project Manager's Tool Bag web site includes project management tools & tips, free project management templates and a sample project tutorial demonstrating a full complement of completed project management templates. It is compiled by an experienced project manager, with an approach based on applying common sense and straightforward documents to successfully implement projects on time and achieve the desired results.

The intended audience is either a new Project Manager, perhaps in a smaller organization, or an independent Project Manager who does not have the benefit of a company supplied toolkit and/or methodology.

Larger organizations most often have their own established set of practices and procedures; however, the content on this site may be a refreshing read for them as well.

Let’s start with the basic premise that most of the significant things we do can really be considered a project. Whether that’s building a new house, developing a new set of purchasing procedures, implementing a new computer system etc., (the list is potentially endless) these types of endeavours can benefit from applying basic project management techniques. Indeed, failure to do so often leads to less than satisfactory results, or even dismal failure.

To many people, the mere mention of the term project management makes them cringe. It conjures up visions of performing large amounts of dull, tedious, boring exercises and doing reams of documentation that just doesn’t matter. This attitude isn’t entirely unwarranted, especially for those who have worked in large bureaucratic organizations.

Too often in those environments the work associated with the management of the project becomes the main tasks that get done, while the real work doesn’t always get accomplished. As an example, many project management software applications come complete with tons of functionality, but, they can also be way too complicated and unwieldy for most people. Trying to learn how to use such project management software, then keep the plan accurate and up to date, becomes a frustrating, full time job all in itself.

The result is a strong desire to avoid following those seemingly cumbersome techniques.

“Let’s just get on with the job” – that becomes the all too common approach, and it is a pitfall.

The problem is, just exactly what is “the job”?

The reality is you absolutely do need to plan out a project in sufficient enough detail to accomplish the intended goals. The key is to understand just how much detail is necessary to keep everyone on task, and on track, without having the management processes themselves become an unnecessary burden. 

All projects, at a minimum, must deal with the following considerations:

• Why are we doing this and what is the overall goal.

• When do we need to be finished.

• What tasks must be done to get there.

• What tasks are not to be done.

• When do the tasks need to be completed and in what order.

• Who is going to actually do the tasks and where.

• What resources and money (budget) is needed.

• What risks are there likely to be along the way.

• How will we keep things on target and monitor progress.

You can’t paint every project with the same brush, but there are some basic practices and tools which should be considered for every project.

The different pages on this site address these issues with:

• Suggestions on basic computer software tools to use

• A complete set of document templates

• A sample project tutorial to see how the various templates can be used

• A review of Change Management considerations

• Free template downloads

You are encouraged to read through the site, and hopefully pick up some useful tips & tools to help effectively manage your projects.