Can you suggest a Project Status Management Tool?

There are a number of options from free to integrated applications depending upon your starting point.

Free.
Outlook task tracking.
SharePoint Services, free with MS Server solutions and there is a Project Template available free as well.
Excel Spreadsheet.

Integrated.
If you are running something like MSCRM and want to integrate that there is an add in module for Project Management, Timesheet and Expense management offered by CRMAddins, see http://www.crmaddins.co.uk/crm_project.htm.

I am sure that there are lots of other offering that fit the whole spectrum between the free and integrated, MS project has been mentioned, if additional collaboration is required then you add Project Server and the list can go on.

I am sure a Google search will flood you with endless offerings, so best of luck in working through them.

If you seek a stand alone solution, you may want to consider MS Project (http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/project/FX100487771033.aspx). While it may have its detractors, it is nevertheless a competent Project Management tool that has stood the test of time.

If the situation permits a more radical change, might I offer Surado CRM (http://www.surado.com) as a solution. It features a built in Project Management node that offers activity/task management, resource allocation, task completion status monitoring, unified calendaring as well as integration to MS Project (should the need arise) on top of innovative CRM functionality in a single package.

Of course depending on the situation, introducing a CRM may be redundant/unnecessary OR it might be perfect because there was an underlying/existing need.

Depends on how sophisticated you want to be and for how many people?

if it is for a large group of people I'd suggest a PSA - or Professional Services Automation Solution. I know of a couple of these that are built on the Microsoft Dynamics platform and integrate with Microsoft Office. If you want more on this then let me know.

If on the other hand this is for a small group of individuals then Microsoft Project and Microsoft Project Server tied into Outlook would be the way to go initialy I would suggest. Here's some info on EPM from Microsoft.

"Easily manage projects great and small The EPM Solution helps align work and people with business priorities to effectively manage work from ad-hoc projects to complex programs.

" http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/epmsolution/FX101935291033.aspx?ofcresset=1

Check out Alert Software, www.alertsoftware.com. It manages projects, scheduling, billing, customer support, and tracks incidents. It can be used standalone and is full integrated with Microsoft CRM, Dynamics GP financials, and Quickbooks. We are resellers of Alert Software, Microsoft CRM, and Microsoft Dynamics GP (formerly Great Plains), so feel free to contact me with questions.

Scrum is another possibility. There are some free scrum tools available. It was created to manage software development projects using Agile, but is applicable to many other situations, especially if the completion date is fixed, but the scope of the project may change while work is in progress.

I agree with the other suggestions offered here, if the need justifies the exploration and effort most seem destined to require. However, I feel compelled to point out that in many situations, shared spreadsheets are often used for simple project management to good effect. If those involved are already familiar with building and using spreadsheets with conditional statements and date-related calculations, Excel, OpenOffice.org and/or Google Docs & Apps may be all that's needed -- AND already in place...

Existt a simpll but powerful tool OOPM (One Page Project Manager), implemented as a Excel sheet. It's extremely simple tool that show immediately a project status.
You can find and download it at www.onepageprojectmanager.com

Rosario Rizzo
www.rinorizzo.com

I suggest that you look at BPA Project. BPA Project is a simple solution that allows you to track project steps, milestones, resourses and their linked activities. It integrates with Outlook for e-mails and can send e-mails from BPA Project using preset templates. It manages Project documents categories, even down to version, with alerts to all users when Documents are updated. There are dashboards disolaying real time metrics on project processes. All of this is handled in MS Sharepoint. We are a BPA Partner e-mail us if you are interested

Have you looked at the DreamFactory Suite by DreamFactory Software?

The DreamFactory Suite is a Gantt Chart based Project Management Solution which has 8 integrated applications that dramatically enhance workgroup productivity. Easily manage projects, tasks and resources with shared Gantt charts, timesheets, calendars and more. We offer the Suite on 5 Platforms including: Salesforce's Force.com, Cisco Webex/Connect, Intuit Quickbase, Microsoft (Windows) Azure and Amazon Web Services.

For additional information please take a look at our website at http://www.dreamfactory.com . Please let me know if you have any additional questions.

About DreamFactory DreamFactory Software is the world's leading publisher of rich web applications for cloud platforms. Our products combine the agility of on demand delivery with the performance of desktop applications. The DreamFactory Suite delivers enterprise class project, document and data collaboration software to over 3000 businesses using Amazon Web Services, Intuit QuickBase, Microsoft (Windows) Azure,Cisco Connect, and Force.com

Another company to consider is Replicon, www.replicon.com

I recommend LiquidPlanner. LP is a powerful tool for project scheduling, task and team management. LiquidPlanner has integrated time tracking and a strong collaboration feature set. Here are some links to more information:

http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/tech-manager/?p=2688
http://thecriticalchain.blogspot.com/2009/05/story-of-my-never-ending-love-af...
http://www.liquidplanner.com

There is another option to look at, Aereus Network Tools (ANT) is a full functioning CRM with a powerful Project Manager, File Sharing, Datacenter and more all integrated into one application. Imagine SalesForce.Com and MS Project married together with Sharepoint, throw in Outlook features and Run wireless without an Exchange Server. That is what ANT can do. It's certainly not for everyone, but it is affordable and may be something to consider.
http://www.aereus.com/ant

Is this implementation or an integration solution?

I suggest you have a look at http://www.deskaway.com/
It is web based and does what you want.

Roland Moore makes a good point, especially if you are a small(er) company and can't afford a Mustang PM system or does not have the technical resources to run and support such powerful applications.
At our company we implemented Sharepoint Services as our (quasi) PM system to be able to track important tasks, share and ensure deadlines, and easily manage content. We did not use SharePoint’s out-of-the-box Project template, because, of course, we have our own specific needs. Therefore, we were able to build our own simple tool, easy to manage and teach even the least technical staff. By integrating with Outlook, Microsoft Office, our LMS, etc., we were able to supply a solution to which our PMs could be satisfied. We have succeeded.
There is no need for extensive budgeting, expensive training or high-end technical support when it comes to Project Management systems. On the other hand, if your company is large and has the budget and need for a powerful PM application, of course it's much better to drive a Mustang than to take the train!!!

Jyoti: Just look at the myriad of responses to your question. There are many excellent tools as you see. I'll add one more. If you're looking for a fairly simple tool, you might look at Smart Draw (www.smartdraw.com). The feature I like the best is that you can mind map your project and then, with the click of a button, turn it into a project management chart. Smart Draw is multifunctional software, so there are lots of great tools within it. Good luck as you sort through all the potential tools.

ICS Marketing Support Services Technology Suite has
the MarketSmart Project Management Portal, you get…

Real-time inventory management
Reorder alerts
Job completion alerts
Postage management
Email alerts Stock receipt notification
Job completion notifications

icshq.com

ResultSpace is worth a look as well.
http://www.sapient.com/resultspace/

Hello!

TrackerSuite.Net (http://www.TrackerSuite.Net) is another option you might consider. It is 100% Web based, and is available as either a hosted service, or it can be licensed and installed. It integrates with email to automate processes including project requests, status reporting, timesheet management and more. If you like, you can access for instant access to a demo here, http://www.TrackerSuite.Net/RFI , and make a hands-on evaluation for yourself.

Regards,

Joe MacNish
Automation Centre