Analytical skills for successful projects

As a project manager, possessing analytical skills for successful projects is the absolute core of required skills.

Analytical thinking can help you explore complex problems, make decisions and find solutions effectively.

So let’s take a closer look at the definition of analytical thinking and why it is so important.

What are analytical skills?

Analytical skills are those competencies that allow you to observe, investigate and interpret data in order to develop complex ideas and solutions.

You can apply analytical thinking in virtually any situation, such as in project management or in relationship problems, customer needs and more.

Analyzing a topic means having a strong understanding of it and being able to discuss it with some level of expertise.

People with strong analytical skills can often analyze a situation, topic or problem quickly and often work well in a team environment.

The analytical thought process

The application process for analytical skills usually involves the following steps:

  1. Issue or problem identification
  2. Information collection through observation
  3. Possible solutions developed after a thorough understanding of the topic
  4. Test solutions or new ideas based on what you understand
  5. Post-analysis or review of what solutions worked to evaluate and apply new learnings

A key element of analytical thinking is the capability to quickly identify cause and effect correlations; this means understanding what might happen during the problem-solving process and examining how new ideas relate to the situation.

Why are analytical skills important?

Analytical skills are important soft skills because they allow you to find solutions to common problems and make well-informed judgments about what action to undertake next.

Understanding problems and analyzing the situation to find feasible solutions is a key skill in every position and in every industry.

Developing this skill can improve to achieve business goals and support personal career goals.

Using analytical skills in daily work demonstrates an ability to think reliably and pragmatically, with decisions made based on analysis of meaningful data.

analytical skills project manager Twproject

Analytical skills examples

Here are some examples of analytical skills for successful projects:

  1. Critical thinking

Critical thinking is a major skill in any job position, from managers to CEOs, from contractors to the freelance workers. This way of thinking provides the ability to question an idea, assertion or opinion.

For example, if told that a certain task can’t be done or a certain goal can’t be achieved, critical thinking skills require asking deeper questions so you can understand why and what the causes are. Critical thinkers take the time to fully understand a problem in order to develop a feasible solution.

  1. Data and information analysis

Data and information analysis is one of the major parts contained in the analytical skills. After identifying a problem, it is important to know how to review and analyze the available data or information that will be essential to its resolution. To collect and analyze the proper data, it is important to first know the right questions to ask.

For example, if you are evaluating the performance of a work team, you might ask yourself: ‘What factors influence productivity?’, ‘What are the bottlenecks in current processes?’ or ‘Which tasks take longer than expected?’.

If instead you analyse customer behaviour, you might ask yourself: “Which products sell the most at given times?”, “What are the common characteristics among the most loyal customers?” or ‘Which marketing channels generate the most conversions?‘.

Asking the right questions helps to focus on the most relevant information and gain useful insights for strategic decision-making.

  1. Research

Research is an integral part of the analytical thinking process. Once a problem has been identified, it is important to conduct the necessary research for a solution. This can be as quick and easy as asking a co-worker who may be more knowledgeable or as laborious as searching through official channels.

The research process involves knowing what information is valuable or essential to solving the problem.

  1. Communication

It is crucial to constantly be in communication with stakeholders as problems are identified, solutions are developed, research is conducted, and results are discussed.

Once a problem or solution has been identified, communicating it effectively to stakeholders is essential to achieving the end goal. Transferring this information clearly and completely is a key skill in the analytical thinking process.

  1. Troubleshooting

After a problem, situation, or area for improvement has been determined and the research has been completed, it is important to find a solution. Analytical skills are then used to sort and organize the data discovered during the research phase to find a reasonable and effective solution.

How to improve analytical skills

Improving your analytical skills can help you achieve various goals not only in your career, but also in your personal life.

You can improve your analytical skills by following some of these tips:

  • Undertake a leadership role that requires using critical analytical skills.
  • Practice key analytical skills in your current role.
  • Attend classes and trainings that boost the use of analytical thinking.
  • Take part in activities that require the use of analytical skills.
  • Ask for advice or mentoring from industry professionals known for their analytical skills.
  • Improve subject matter knowledge, which is crucial for faster problem solving.

One trick is to also consider what analytical skills you possess and those in which you have room for improvement and potential.

Take note of specific times when you have used analytical skills to improve something or solve a problem, either at work or in your personal life, helps identifying strenghts and weaknesses.

This is clearly a process that evolves and grows throughout life.

Analytical skills can be learned and improved over time and through the right exercises.

Ultimately, analytical skills for successful projects are often defined as the capability of breaking down problems into parts to see connections or interdependencies.

Project managers who have these skills can plan efficiently and then drive projects to success.

Analytical skills are important not just for effective project management but also for advancing personal career goals. They enable you to validate your data analysis skills, proving your competence through professional certifications. These credentials signal that you possess the analytical capability to break down complex projects efficiently and effectively. Such validation can accelerate career advancement by demonstrating your robust problem-solving techniques and critical thinking abilities in handling real-world issues.

Furthermore, they can accurately predict outcomes and develop plans to achieve goals and objectives.

How a project management software can help?

A software like Twproject can guide you in breaking down the wbs of your project, in defining the dependencies between the various phases and in the analysis of the durations. In addition to this, constant and lasting use will make evident the real effort spent and will allow you, over time, to refine this breakdown also highlighting repeated criticalities that can therefore be avoided.

The wbs can also be further refined up to the insertion of all the daily activities (attached to-do lists), to help, not only the project manager, but also the whole team to manage the activities in an organized way.

Try Twproject and discover how it can help you improve your data analysis and optimise your project management.

Transform your strategies in action with Twproject!

One try is worth a million words.

Abandoning a project? Twproject helps you get clarity

When things get tough, abandoning a project can become a quick solution.

Still, a project does not deteriorate overnight; it goes through a transition period, a transitional phase that should be used to regain control.

This is an extremely challenging task that requires specific care, management, leadership, and, most importantly, good project management software to manage a phase that can be very problematic successfully.

When does a project become problematic?

A project is successful when it fulfills its quality, schedule, budget, and scope goals.

By contrast, a project becomes problematic when it exceeds the acceptable tolerance limit in terms of quality, budget, and scope.

In this case, an effort is required to define a possible recovery plan and a resolution to prevent total failure.

Not all problems that arise during the project life cycle are significant enough to make the project “problematic.”

In this case, project managers play a significant role in tackling the causes of the troubled project and effectively managing the recovery process.

When critical issues occur, the most common reaction is to ignore them or take reckless action, hoping to save the project.

Unfortunately, these actions often cause more harm than good and take longer than necessary to save the project.

Admitting that a project is struggling and establishing the right course of action to get it back on track is one of the most psychologically difficult challenges for a project manager.

Abandoning a project is not always a defeat

Many project managers perceive the early termination of a project as a failure.

However, recognizing that a project is no longer viable and choosing to terminate it may be the most wise choice.

Continuing to invest in an undertaking that is no longer worth the effort can cause increasing damage and problems.

Here are some situations in which it may make more sense to abandon a project than to attempt to carry on with it:

· Goals no longer aligned with business strategy

· Overly exceeded budget and delivery times

· Overburdened resources

· Lack of added value for stakeholders

· External factors that make the project obsolete, irrelevant, or unworkable.

Making difficult decisions is part of the game in project management. One of the most critical ones involves abandoning a project.

Knowing when an endeavor is no longer worthwhile is vital to avoid wasting resources, time, and money.

Twproject’s role in project evaluation

Twproject is a project management software that provides useful tools for analyzing project status in detail and making informed decisions.

Here are some of the features that can help in evaluating a project:

  1. Performance monitoring

Thanks to performance indicators (KPIs), you can check whether your project is meeting the set metrics. The data can be different depending on the type of project you are following, and Twproject allows you to customize it.

2. Cost analysis and budget management

One of the main reasons projects are abandoned is because they exceed budget. Twproject allows you to track all expenses and compare them to your initial budget, quickly spotting critical areas and allowing you to make prompt decisions.

3. Team workload evaluation

If a project is sucking up too many resources and causing stress on your team, it may be time to revise your work division. With workload management features, Twproject helps visualize the workload of each team member, avoiding imbalances and overloads.

4. Risk analysis

Twproject helps identify and assess the main risk factors of your project. If the risk level exceeds the expected benefits, it is a warning sign that stopping the work may be more beneficial.

5. Customizable, real-time dashboards and reporting

Having a clear and up-to-date view of project status is key to helping a project manager make informed decisions. Twproject provides customizable dashboards and detailed reports that help assess the situation objectively and based on real-time data.

So, this is how project management software can be a valuable ally in the project evaluation process.

There is no need to give up on the first setback: thanks to Twproject, which provides tangible, up-to-date data on project performance, you can accurately assess its sustainability before making a decision.

Taking advantage of this groundbreaking technology to gain clarity allows you to make informed decisions, optimize resources, and focus on projects that can generate real value for your organization.

Keep all your projects under control with Twproject!

 

Project cost management: what is it and how to implement it

Project cost management is an evergreen feature in all projects: big or small, from IT to construction. In fact, all projects require the purchase of any type of material or service.

Regardless of the scope or the program, projects need funds to complete the work.

Technically, even projects that use only manpower needfunds. Someone in fact is paying for that job.

Project cost management concerns the process of planning and controlling the project budget.

Without project cost management, the organization could lose its revenue as costs could outweigh profits.

The activities of Project COST management

Project cost management includes activities such as:

  • planning;
  • estimation;
  • budgeting;
  • funding;
  • management and control of costs

so that the project can be completed within the approved budget limits.

Cost management covers the entire project life cycle, from the initial planning stage to the measurement of actual cost performance and project completion.

What is the process of project cost management?

Cost management is a way of managing the total cost of the project and takes place in four phases, called the planning phase:

1) Resource planning

In the initial phase of a project, it is necessary to define the resources necessary to complete the project activities. This includes the team members who make up the project team.

Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) and historical information of similar projects can be used in order to define which physical resources (and not) are needed. It is possible to think about time, material, work, equipment, etc.

Once all types of resources and quantities are known, the estimation of the associated costs can be determined.

2) Estimate costs

Several cost estimation methods can be applied in order to predict how much it will cost to perform project activities.

The choice of the estimation method depends on the level of information available.

Estimates based on the actual cost of similar prior projects can serve as a basis in order to estimate the current project.

Another option is to use parametric models in which the characteristics of the project are represented mathematically.

Estimates can be refined when more information becomes available during a project.

At the end, this translates into an estimate of unit costs with high accuracy.

3) Cost budgeting

Cost estimation forms, together with a project plan, the input for the cost budget.

The budget gives an overview of the periodic and total costs of the project, including the variable costs that may change over time.

Cost estimates define the cost of each work package or activity, while the budget allocates costs in the period when the cost will be incurred.

A cost baseline is a budget approved that is used as a starting point for measuring actual performance progress.

4) Project cost control

the project costs management

Cost control concerns

  • changes in the baseline measurement of costs
  • the adoption of effective corrective actions in order to stay at a minimum cost.

The procedures are applied to monitor expenses and performance against the progress of a project.

All changes to the baseline of costs must be recorded and the final total costs expected are constantly forecast.

When actual cost information becomes available, an important part of cost control is to explain what is causing the change from the baseline.

Based on this analysis, corrective actions may be needed in order to avoid cost overruns.

Suggestions for a correct management of the project cost

  • Take inflation into consideration: any good cost management plan should take price increases into account.
  • Considering hypothetical natural disasters or potential events: expecting the unexpected may seem silly, but it is necessary to have a budgetary buffer for a meteorological event, a personal problem, or some other unknown factors that could delay the project.
  • Other unexpected costs: not all unexpected costs are random. Thanks to a structured risk management activity, it is at least possible to define the risk values according to the project. There may be legal problems, penalties associated with the project or unforeseen labor costs, for which it is not possible to provide a specific budget, but it is possible to prepare a buffer.
  • Real time tracking: having software that allows to monitor the budget during project execution is essential for cost management. If we analyze data that is not current, it will be difficult to act quickly enough to solve the problems.
  • Respond promptly: regardless of how a discrepancy exists in the cost of the project, it is necessary to act immediately. The longer you wait, the more money will be wasted.
  • Dimension: Some people think that smaller projects do not need project cost management. Small or big, in every project you have to manage costs.

To better manage the costs of the project, it is necessary to know the project inside and out, in all its details.

Project managers are in a difficult situation; in fact, they are the link between the customer and the project team that will complete the client’s project.

In most organizations, it is generally easier to get “more time” than “more money”, and there is usually more concern about how much it is spent rather than how much time is needed to complete a project.

Project managers and their stakeholders must enter any project with a common goal: to identify an accessible area and a plan on how to achieve it.

Too often, the cost is ignored in the project planning. But someone will eventually have to pay the bill, so why not make everything more organized and peaceful?

Therefore, it can not be ignored that cost management is essential for the success oIt cannot, therefore, be ignored that cost management is important from an early stage for the success of the project.

In addition, careful management today also allows for better planning of future projects.

It can not be ignored that for an effective monitoring and if you want to intervene promptly in the management of costs, it becomes essential to have a project management software that tracks data in real time, such as Twproject.

The use of advanced tools such as Twproject makes it possible to centralise all project information, making it quickly and easily accessible to all involved stakeholders and team members. This ensures greater operational transparency and improves internal communication, two crucial elements in keeping objectives, timeframes and investments aligned.

In addition, Twproject allows the generation of automatic and customisable reports, ideal for analysing the economic and technical performance of a project. In this way, critical areas or activities that are generating cost deviations can be identified at an early stage, enabling targeted corrective action.

Another key aspect concerns risk prevention. It is possible to simulate alternative scenarios and assess the potential impact of any problems before they actually occur. This proactive approach significantly reduces the probability of exceeding the economic limits of the project.

In contesti altamente competitivi, dove ogni euro speso deve produrre valore, saper gestire le risorse in modo efficace non è più un’opzione, ma un’esigenza strategica. La governance dei progetti, quindi, deve necessariamente includere una visione integrata dei processi, dove analisi predittiva, controllo puntuale e capacità di adattamento diventano gli strumenti chiave per il successo.

In highly competitive environments, where every amount spent must produce value, knowing how to manage resources effectively is no longer an option, but a strategic requirement. Project governance, therefore, must necessarily include an integrated view of processes, where predictive analysis, timely control and adaptability become the key tools for success.

Finally, it is worth emphasising how a culture oriented towards financial performance and the measurement of results favours not only the success of individual projects, but also the growth of the entire organisation.

Those who invest in the professionalisation of project management build a solid foundation to face future challenges with confidence, with more informed decisions, smoother processes and tangible results.

Try Twproject for project cost management

One try is worth a million words.

How to assign project management tasks

Organizing and planning project management tasks are critical, and if not executed properly, they can lead to project failure.

Being flexible and open to change will help keep the project on track and overcome obstacles.

In this article, let’s see how to assign project management activities properly to ensure efficient project planning.

The importance of assigning tasks in project management

In any project, success or failure often comes down to how efficiently tasks and responsibilities are assigned.

Sound assignment ensures that each project team member knows precisely what to do, how to do it, and when.

Tasks also should be assigned based on team members’ strengths and weaknesses.

By assigning tasks based on skills and experience, you can maximize their potential and improve overall performance.

When team members are aware of their unique responsibilities, they are more likely to take charge of their tasks and work towards achieving project goals.

In a nutshell, proper task assignment leads to better time management, greater efficiency, and improved quality of work.

Factors to take into consideration when assigning project management tasks

When it comes to assigning tasks and responsibilities for project planning, there are several factors that should be considered:

  1. Project goals

The first consideration is the project’s overall goals. Each task and responsibility should be aligned with these targets to ensure everyone is working toward the same goal. This also helps to prioritize tasks and determine which team members are best suited for specific duties.

triangolo dei vincoli di progetto twproject software di project management

2. Individual strengths and skills

When assigning tasks, it is important to consider each team member’s strengths and skills. This helps delegate tasks to the most qualified professional, ensuring that work is completed efficiently and effectively.

3. Time constraints

Yet another factor to consider is project time constraints. Some tasks may have tighter deadlines than others, so it is important to assign them accordingly and allot enough time for each team member to complete their tasks.

4. Costs and expenses

Resources must be budgeted based on their cost per hour. Therefore, it is critical to consider the impact of these costs on the overall project budget for each task.

5. Resource availability

Resource management is another key element to ensure project success. If a team member assigned to a particular task is on leave, the work will not progress, which may delay the entire project. The project manager must, therefore, carefully consider the availability of each resource.

6. Communication and collaboration

When assigning tasks, it is key to consider how team members will communicate and collaborate with each other. A sound project plan includes clear guidelines on who will supervise tasks and how updates will be shared among the team.

7. Flexibility and adaptability

It is important to bear in mind that project planning and management are not set in stone. Unexpected changes or challenges may come up, so it is critical to assign tasks and responsibilities in a way that allows for flexibility and adaptability. This will ensure that the project stays on track and can easily adapt to any unforeseen circumstances.

8. Risk management

Successful risk management helps identify and prevent potential problems that could undermine the project. A good project manager must be able to assess potential threats and take preventive measures to reduce negative impacts on business development.

Why choose project management software to assign tasks?

As we have discussed, task management is more than just creating a to-do list and ticking off tasks as they are completed.

In our current working environment, which is marked by complex projects and an increasing need to coordinate teams spread across different geographic areas, project management software has become essential to assign tasks.

Twproject is one of the most pioneering project management tools on the market. It offers numerous benefits that make it a must-have for any business.

One of the main benefits is the clear definition of tasks and responsibilities.

With this dedicated software, each task can be assigned in detail, indicating priorities, deadlines, and necessary resources. This clears up any confusion about who is supposed to do what and minimizes the risk of overlapping or forgotten tasks.

It also provides managers with real-time monitoring of task progress, identifying any bottlenecks and taking timely action to resolve them.

Centralized information is another key benefit.

Twproject helps collect all project data, including documents, communications, and updates, in a single platform. This facilitates communication among team members and reduces the need for unnecessary meetings to obtain up-to-date information.

Furthermore, tools such as the Gantt chart allow projects to be organized visually, enabling the identification of delays or overloads.

gantt chart project software management twproject

This project management tool offers state-of-the-art reporting features, which allow you to analyze team performance and identify areas for improvement.

By collecting data and creating visual reports, project managers can gauge the effectiveness of their strategies and optimize workflows based on actual metrics.

Therefore, it is becoming clear that using project management software to assign project management activities means better organization, greater transparency, process automation, and optimized collaboration.

Investing in such software is a strategic choice and a necessity to remain competitive in an increasingly dynamic market.

Plan your projects with Twproject

The best time tracking software of 2025

Are you looking for software to help you managing and tracking your team’s working time? Here is a list for you.

Time tracking is the main strategic resource in any project management.

However, time management is never an easy challenge, neither in everyday life nor in the business environment.

For project managers and team leaders, the ability to monitor not only their own time, but also that of the resources involved in the various tasks and deliverables, is essential. A structured approach to time management makes it possible to optimise processes, improve workflow and reduce operational bottlenecks.

The benefits of effective time monitoring are manifold:

  • Increased productivity through reduced time waste and proper allocation of resources.
  • Meeting milestones and deadlines, avoiding slippage and ensuring timely project delivery.
  • Increased awareness of the value of activities, facilitating resource management and task prioritisation.
  • More accurate planning, with estimates of execution times based on real data and not assumptions.
  • Improved collaboration and accountability, ensuring transparency on team responsibilities and performance.

And if these advantages are not enough, consider that effective time management is the cornerstone of any project management methodology, from Waterfall to Agile to Kanban or Scrum.

In short, time tracking is not just an operational activity, but a real strategic asset to ensure the success and sustainability of any company, regardless of its size or sector.

However, project time monitoring presents a critical challenge: consistency.

Often, the lack of a structured framework leads to the adoption of inadequate tools or fragmented solutions, compromising the effectiveness of workflow management.

For effective time tracking, it is crucial that the entire team is committed to accurate time recording, integrating it into daily processes without negatively impacting operations.

L’analisi regolare dei dati raccolti consente di individuare inefficienze e Regular analysis of the collected data allows inefficiencies to be identified and planning to be improved, while the ability to adapt and modify the strategy when necessary allows the work method to be optimised and productivity to be maximised.

Time management software is not just a recording tool, but a true ally of the project manager. In addition to time tracking, it provides strategic insights for resource allocation and thus the technical feasibility of projects.

However, not all software works in the same way: experimenting with different ones is essential to identify the one that best suits the specific needs of the team and the methodology adopted.

The different types of time tracking software

Platforms for time tracking and timesheet creation are mainly divided into two categories: on the one hand, there are basic tools that only allow the recording of time spent on activities; on the other hand, there are more advanced solutions that integrate the tracking of working hours with project management functionalities, such as task planning, resource allocation and performance analysis.

The ideal choice is to adopt time management software that integrates with project planning tools in order to obtain a complete view of project progress.

This approach makes it possible to involve all stakeholders and to turn time management into a key element in the optimisation of the overall workflow.

A practical example? The use of historical timesheets to accurately estimate the costs of future activities and define the project budget.

Time tracking software ranking 2025

So which tools meet the need to combine time monitoring with other aspects of project management? Which ones also have another advantageous feature, namely flexibility?

We tested several of the most renowned software packages on the market, focused on recording and tracking work time in projects, and created a ranking based on their performance.

1. Twproject

Twproject, time tracking software

Twproject is a tool that stands out for its flexibility in timesheet management, offering different recording modes to adapt to the specific needs of each user.

The platform allows worklogs to be continuously monitored in real time, identifying any deviations from the planned schedule and enabling changes to be made quickly.

The recorded data are easily exportable, allowing you to select information by person, project, client, dates and more, for detailed management.

This data integrates seamlessly with each phase of the project lifecycle in Twproject, from planning through execution to the final invoicing phase of the performed work.

In addition, Twproject has a notification system that helps you remember to log your worklogs, ensuring that no information is overlooked.

key features:

  • Logging mode: Enter hours with timesheets, stopwatch or assigned ToDo’s.
  • Recording access: Record worklogs from any page, including dashboards, projects, phases and ToDo’s.
  • Calendar: Customisable for weekly, bi-weekly or monthly intervals, integrated with timesheets.
  • ToDo: Easy to use, allows manual or timed entry of hours for each task.
  • Costs: Automatic budgeting with hours worked on WBS phases, comparison between estimated and performed work.
  • Revenue: Differentiates between estimated and invoiced revenue, allows saving of invoicing documents.
  • Worklog management: Display and approval of worklogs by the project manager.
  • Workload: Advance planning based on worklogs, availability and absences, with rescheduling of assignments.
  • Project planning: Worked hours contribute to the planning of similar projects. Detail the project phases and assigned tasks.
  • Interactive Gantt: Plan phases, deadlines and milestones via Gantt chart.
  • Statistics: Graphs on worklogs entered, correlated with costs and visible at any time during the project.

Price: from €4.89 user/month.

Pros: Twproject is the ideal collaborative platform, integrating time tracking into a broader context. It gives managers control over budgets, workload, statistics, and allows workers to constantly monitor the use of their time. It fits perfectly into any team.

Cons: No cons, only advantages!

The most comprehensive and flexible collaborative time tracking software: it adapts to every need and combines time and project management.

2. Toggl

Toggl is a time tracking software suitable for those seeking agile yet effective time management.

Its main objective is to provide an overview of the hours worked on various projects, helping companies to better understand the distribution of resources and optimise the management of workloads.

This tool is highly appreciated for its clean interface, but can be a bit complex for beginners, especially if you are not already familiar with time tracking software.

In particular, Toggl offers a detailed overview of activities performed and an advanced reporting system that facilitates productivity analysis and identification of areas for improvement.

key features:

  • Simple timer for tracking hours
  • Customised reports to analyse the use of resources
  • Integrations with other project management platforms (such as Trello and Asana)
  • Visual planning with a clear dashboard
  • Data export for external analysis

Price: from $9 user/month.

Pros: Toggl is ideal for teams and freelancers looking for a quick and easy time-tracking solution. Its well-designed dashboard offers a clear view of the time spent on each task, facilitating resource optimisation.

Cons: Although the interface is good, the navigation experience may be a little slow in some functions. It also lacks advanced tools for future project planning.

A useful tool for those seeking streamlined time management, but which may require some experience to exploit its full potential.

3. Timey App

Timey

Timey App is a platform available as a web and mobile app, designed for collaborative time tracking and project management.

Designed to support both individual users and teams, it allows users to keep track of time spent on various tasks and projects, as well as facilitating the organisation and efficient management of activities. However, it may be somewhat limited in terms of advanced functionalities for larger teams or those with particularly complex requirements.

key features:

  • Time tracking: easily record inputs, outputs and breaks for precise work management.
  • Kanban project management: visualises and moves projects between ‘pending’, ‘in progress’ and ‘completed’.
  • Project overview: centralise all project information, monitoring tasks, schedules and milestones.
  • Holiday planning: manage your team’s holiday, leave and sickness requests.
  • Invoicing: create and send invoices, monitor payments and add discounts or fees.

Price: single licence at $6 user/month.

Pros: Timey makes time tracking easy, improving efficiency for individual users and teams. Its simple interface and mobile compatibility ensure a smooth and accurate process.

Cons: Although it is a good tool, it may take some time for those new to this type of software. To get the most out of it, tutorials or training sessions could be useful.

A software solution for companies or experienced professionals who need to track time and manage tasks or projects.

4. Clockify

clockify

Clockify is a time tracking and timesheet creation application that allows you to manage and charge for hours worked on different projects. It is a useful tool for individual users and teams who wish to optimise time management and obtain detailed performance reports.

It offers additional functionalities such as integration with calendars, holiday management, and the ability to monitor users’ movements around the territory. With its customisable reporting system, it allows the collection and analysis of analyse work-related data.

key features:

  • Time tracker: with stopwatch or manual to record hours worked and mark them as billable.
  • Calendar: integration with Google and Microsoft Calendar, holiday management with approval.
  • Kiosk function: log-in to monitor working time on specific projects.
  • Dashboard: display of team time utilisation statistics.
  • Reports: export of data according to different criteria.
  • Project management: task assignment and simplified workload view.
  • Budget: entry of additional expenses and creation of receipts for customers.
  • Maps: tracking users’ movements across the territory for mobile teams.

Price: basic plan from $3.99 user/month.

Pros: Easy to use, accessible on multiple devices, good mobile app.

Cons: Few customisation options, not suitable for large or multi-departmental teams; no Gantt.

A tool that started with the sole function of time tracking and later expanded to some basic project management functions.

5. Harvest

Harvest

Harvest is a timesheet management software, primarily designed to integrate with budget management and invoicing. Its main functionalities focus on time tracking and report creation, but many other features can be achieved through integrations with other systems.

It is an ideal solution for freelancers or small teams who need a simple and effective tool to manage their projects and finances.

Although it does not offer extensive support for workload management, it provides analysis tools to monitor the progress of projects and keep track of budgets and expenses.

key features:

  • Projects: create projects per customer, divided into three types: consumable, fixed cost and non-billable.
  • Time recording: timer or manual recording via weekly planner.
  • Budget: sets the budget per project in hours or money, with extra charges added.
  • Invoicing: create invoices from the hours worked on projects.
  • Graphs: displays the trend of income, expenses and hours worked (billable and non-billable).
  • Team management: summary of hours worked and monitoring of overruns, but without task reallocation functions.

Price: single pro licence at $10.80 user/month.

Pros: Offers detailed analysis and ‘what-if’ scenarios for advanced reporting.

Cons: Project management is strictly client-based, limiting flexibility for teams working differently. Also, it does not allow hours to be tracked at multiple levels (e.g. by phases or for the whole project).

A software suitable for those who rely on detailed chronological and financial reporting, yet suffer from rigidity.

6. ActiveCollab

ActiveCollab

ActiveCollab is a project management tool with time tracking that allows you to monitor working time by project, client, scope and assignee, providing a complete overview of activities. It is ideal for those who wish to track every stage of work, from the individual task to the overall budget.

The system allows projects to be created with description, category and client, as well as managing assigned tasks and monitoring time with a stopwatch that can be activated by the project manager. It is possible to add hours to the timesheet at a later date, while the system provides detailed, though not very customisable, progress reports and a budget that distinguishes between worked and estimated hours.

key features:

  • Project management: create projects with customer, description and category. Possibility of hiding tasks from customers.
  • Task management: assignment of tasks with deadlines.
  • Stopwatch: can be activated by the project manager to monitor hours.
  • Timesheet: manual addition of hours and display of over or under hours.
  • Resource management: creation of profiles with customised hourly costs.
  • Reports: filterable by period, customer or project type.
  • Budget: comparison of worked and estimated hours and calculation of the billable total.

Price: single pro licence at $8 user/month.

Pros: Platform with comprehensive and easy-to-use tools.

Cons: Not very customisable reports and interfaces. Lack of main dashboard.

A suitable tool for different types of professionals and companies. Its lack of flexibility is compensated for by the variety of functionalities.

7. Sunsama

Sunsama

Sunsama is software designed for task management, based on agile methodology. It focuses on planning and tracking tasks using mainly the kanban board, integrating timelines within a highly customisable workflow.

Its core functionalities offer versatile task management, including the ability to assign and plan long-term tasks, while operator load is monitored to avoid overloads. Sunsama is characterised by a focus on user well-being and balanced time management.

key features:

  • Customisation: highly adaptable planning and time management options.
  • Task management: addition and assignment of tasks with kanban view options, including routine tasks.
  • Start and end dates: can be set as desired for each task.
  • Channels: working areas to organise tasks, with the possibility of sub-channels.
  • Archive: customisable or automatic for saving past tasks.
  • Operator load: overload warning if hours are exceeded.
  • Weekly review: analysis of achieved goals.

Price: single licence from $20 user/month.

Pros: Good tool for personal time management and user welfare.

Cons: Less suitable for complex group projects and large-scale collaboration.

An application that is inspired by the agile philosophy in terms of both graphics and content customisation.

The bottom line

We explored several useful tools for managers and employees to monitor time spent on tasks, projects and other activities. The right choice is crucial for improving business decisions, thereby increasing productivity and profitability.

The aim is to find a tool that adapts to individual needs, taking into account specific requirements and, at the same time, integrating seamlessly into business processes, so that time monitoring does not remain an isolated activity.

We hope to have demonstrated that time management is not a race against time, but a continuous learning process, leading to increasingly effective resource management.

With Twproject, each resource can follow its own recording method, while the project manager can easily collect and analyse data, as they are already fully integrated into project management.

If you think this is also your main need, try Twproject for free for 15 days and find out how to optimise your time management.

The Tuckman model and the group development stages

The Tuckman model and the group development stages are a well-tested system for understanding how teams progress and develop.

This model is used in large companies such as Google and Facebook.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the group development stages defined by the Tuckman model.

What is the Tuckman model?

The Tuckman model is named after psychologist Bruce Wayne Tuckman, who developed this theory in 1965 to explain development dynamics in work groups.  

His study is based on the observation of teams in different contexts and the challenges they faced during their evolution.

The Tuckman model is a tool designed to help us understand the five stages of team development, which are:

1.   Forming

2.   Storming

3.   Norming

4.   Performing

5.   Adjourning

This system, therefore, describes these five predictable stages that a team experiences and explains how they can be used to improve the team’s performance. It is still largely used in business, education, and project management to understand and optimize group dynamics.

Even though every team is different and progresses at its own pace, these phases guide project managers throughout the project life cycle.

Understanding where the team members might fall on the scale will help the project manager manage the employees more effectively as individuals and as a collective unit.

Let’s take a closer look at the five phases of the Tuckman model.

Tuckman and the stages of group development

1. Forming (uncertainty, nervousness, curiosity, and enthusiasm)

In the forming stage, team members are just starting to get to know each other and learn their group roles and individual tasks.

It’s all very uncertain; no one is sure what they’re supposed to do, how they’re meant to behave, or even who the other group members are.

Think of it like being in a new environment for the first time: employees may look around and wonder if they’re in the right place or if their teammates are up to the task.

During this stage, team members must be supported in getting to know their teammates and discovering their strengths and weaknesses.

The training stage also involves examining the project’s fundamental aspects, such as objectives, activities, deadlines, etc.

The team must become familiar with these fundamental concepts before moving on to the next stage, Storming.

2. Storming (frustration, conflict, and competition)

The Storming stage is often the most uncomfortable.

Here, the team begins to realize that they are not working as well as they should and that individual personalities can impact productivity.

Different points of view emerge in this stage, which can result in conflict and a deeper mutual understanding.

Team members begin to discuss strategies, working methods, and expectations, sometimes leading to tensions that, if not managed correctly, can hinder collaboration.

This stage involves heated discussions, misunderstandings, and sometimes competition between members. Still, it is crucial for the group to establish clearer working dynamics.

The project manager plays a key role in facilitating communication, resolving conflicts, and promoting a trust-based environment so that differences become opportunities for growth rather than obstacles.

To successfully overcome the storming phase, the team must learn to manage emotions, develop active listening skills, and find shared solutions. Establishing effective communication rules, encouraging the sharing of ideas, and promoting open dialogue help transform this critical phase into a productive step toward the group’s growth.

The mindset shifts from seeing oneself as an individual responsible only for one’s part of the project to recognizing that one is part of a group and each member is responsible for the final product.

3. Norming (cooperation, support, and problem-solving)

Things have now come together, and the team is close-knit.

Team members have overcome the conflict stage and are beginning to develop more stable and collaborative relationships. Mutual trust is growing, and a dynamic of support and respect is developing.

Employees feel comfortable and get along (in most cases) with each other. Communication becomes more open and effective, with members actively listening to each other and constructively looking for solutions to problems.

Since the group established shared leadership, the team is now more productive, focused on achieving common goals, and autonomous.

Shared leadership is a key element in this stage. Team members feel more involved in decision-making and work management, which helps create a sense of collective responsibility and keeps motivation high.

To strengthen team bonding further, it’s a good idea to organize team-building activities, which help consolidate interpersonal relationships and improve collaboration. Furthermore, the project manager must continue to monitor the group, providing support and positive feedback to maintain a peaceful and productive work environment.

 4. Performing (creativity, innovation, and delivery)

This stage is characterized by high trust and creativity, unity of purpose and commitment, and a clear understanding of the team’s objectives. By now, team members have developed a well-defined work method and can operate autonomously and efficiently.

They work together smoothly, balancing individual skills and group collaboration.

Conflict is managed constructively, and the team can circumvent difficulties to find solutions.

Problem-solving becomes an everyday practice, and the group faces challenges with a spirit driven by innovation and determination. Each member feels like an integral part of the project and actively contributes to the collective success.

At this point, productivity is at its peak. The team has learned to communicate effectively, and all the employees work together to achieve results enthusiastically. The leader takes on a supporting rather than a managing role, providing guidelines and tools to optimize work without constantly intervening.

This stage is also a time when the team can experiment with new approaches and strategies, increasing their capacity to innovate. The sense of belonging and mutual trust are at their highest levels, making the group resilient and high-performing.

The project manager must ensure that things run smoothly. This means scheduling regular meetings and check-ins to keep everyone on track.

This phase can last years, but if a team member leaves or a new one joins, you will most likely have to start from the beginning.

5. Adjourning (reflection, realization, and disbanding)

This is the final stage of the Tuckman model and involves preparing the team for disbanding.

This means that all activities have been completed or are in the final stages of completion.

During this stage, team members begin to focus on their own goals, rather than the group’s.

They may start thinking about how to work with another group or whether they want to continue working with the same people on a new project.

Some members may feel satisfied and proud of their work, while others may feel lost at the conclusion of an intense work experience.

At this stage, it is important to hold a debriefing to gather feedback and identify areas for improvement. The project manager can facilitate reflection sessions, celebrate the team’s successes, and ensure members feel valued for their contributions.

How the Tuckman model is implemented in project management

As we have discussed, the Tuckman model consists of five fundamental phases in developing a team and is widely used in project management to improve the dynamics of group management.

This model is often adopted in project management software, as it helps to understand team dynamics and optimize collaborative work.

Using project management software such as Twproject during these stages can help optimize collaboration and workflow.

For example, in the Forming stage, this tool can support role, objective, and activity definition, providing a clear perspective of the project.

On the other hand, the activity management and internal communication features during the Storming phase help resolve conflicts and improve cooperation.

In the Norming phase, Twproject helps promote team coordination, while in the Performing phase, dashboards and automation improve productivity and progress monitoring.

Lastly, in the subsequent Adjourning phase, Twproject helps collect feedback, archive documents, and analyze lessons learned, facilitating the project’s finalization.

Thanks to Twproject, teams can tackle challenges more structuredly, keeping efficiency high and guaranteeing project success.

Try it for free.

Work together with your team effectively

Decision matrix: how to make important decisions in a project

What do you do when you have an important decision to make? Draw up a list of pros and cons? Flip a coin? Do you postpone hoping someone else will end up making the decision for you?

Certainly there are many ways to make choices, for example we have already discussed collaborative decision-making process, but when it comes to taking into account objectively all the important factors that are part of the decision, there is a method that prevails above all else: the decision matrix.

Many people are intimidated when it comes to applying the decision matrix. However, I can assure you that, once you understand the mechanisms and fundamentals, its use is actually simpler than you imagine.

When should you use a decision matrix (and when not to)?

A decision matrix is an extremely useful and versatile tool. It can help not only to make complex decisions, but also to prioritize activities, solve problems and build reasoning to defend a decision already made.

We had already spoken about the criteria for prioritizing projects,  but here we will talk about an ideal decision-making tool if we are discussing between some comparable solutions that each have multiple quantitative criteria.

The decision matrix process is best used when deciding something that is not related to an emotion, because it is a rational tool.

It is therefore preferable to use a decision matrix when it is necessary to evaluate a situation from a logical point of view and to have sufficient comparable variables to make a weighted analysis.

The matrix can be used alone, but also in combination with other decision-making tools and techniques.

What exactly is a decision matrix?

A decision matrix is a chart that helps to show a clear winner among the different options.

To create the matrix, you need to determine which criteria are important in making the final decision and then assign a weight or value to each criterion.

This allows you to prioritize factors that matter most and, as a result, to identify mathematically which of the options is the best one.

Let’s see in detail what are the key steps to use a decision matrix in the best possible way.

How to create a decision matrix?

A decision matrix is a simple but powerful tool for tackling complex decisions in a structured and rational way.

Through a series of guided steps, this method allows you to compare different options based on objective and weighted criteria.

A decision matrix template allows you not only to clearly visualise the available alternatives, but also to assign a concrete value to each factor involved, helping you to assess which choice is actually the most advantageous.

Imagine you have to choose between three different suppliers for a key project. Each has advantages and disadvantages. With a decision matrix, you can put everything down on paper, weigh up the factors that really matter to you, and choose with confidence.

Let’s take a step-by-step look at how to build one.

1) Clarify the problem

The first step is to insert the decision to be made or question in the decision box. This statement must be specific and clear for everyone.

Let’s have a practical example and imagine, for example, that you have to make the choice between reconditioning an old machine or buying a new one. Formulate the correct question and put it in the decision box!

2) Assess decision factors

In this step you will need to make a brainstorming about the selection criteria for the decision to be taken.

In short, the question must be answered: what are the factors that will help to make the right decision? Or, what are the critical success factors that need to be met?

In the example chosen in the previous step, the factors that would have a great impact on the decision are:

  • How quickly can we get a return on our original investment? Obviously, the quicker, the better!
  • Cash flow – How will each option affect cash flow at the bank?
  • Timing – how much time “is lost” in each scenario?

3) Add options

Now it is time to compare the different options available. These are, in other words, the solutions to the problems.

In our example we have two options:

  • Revise the old car
  • Buy a new car
The decision matrix: how to make important decisions in a project - Twproject

4) Give a weight to each decision factor

It is evident that in any decision, some factors will be more important than others, and for this reason, you need to create a pondered score.

Each individual decision factor is then given a score from 1 to 5 (1 is the minimum importance, 5 is the maximum).

It is absolutely important to try not to give each decision factor the same weight, otherwise the whole analysis cannot be carried out.

If you have difficulty in finding different scores, one solution is to extend the scale from 1 to 10, in order to help assessing each factor even more thoroughly.

5) Add scores for each option

The same process that was done previously is now being done in regard to each option.

Again, you score from 1 to 5 and, if that is not enough, you can use a scale from 1 to 10.

6) Choose the highest score

Once the scores have been established based on all factors and for each of the available options, the next step is to select the highest score as the winner.

Decision matrix: Conclusions

Last but not least, the decision matrix makes it possible to measure options against what is important and, above all, to do so objectively and pragmatically.

This process eliminates the complexity of analysis and decisions are much easier to make when simplifying things.

In other words, the decision matrix allows you to focus on what really matters.

It is also important to keep in mind that a decision matrix is not the only decision-making tool available. For example, sometimes even a simple list of pros and cons will work.

However, for a decision where you have more options and different characteristics to consider, a decision matrix can clarify (objectively and mathematically) the best choice.

If you want to apply these principles to the management of your daily projects, Twproject offers you the right tools to make informed and shared decisions.

Even without a specific decision matrix feature, you can leverage capabilities such as SWOT analysis, risk management, and priority assessment to approach your decisions in a structured way, with team support and a comprehensive view.

With Twproject, you can:

  • Analyse pros and cons objectively
  • Identify critical points and opportunities
  • Compare scenarios and make more informed choices
  • Document and share the decision-making process with your team

Every project is made up of decisions: with the right method and the right tools, even the most complex choices become a shared, clear and manageable path.

Create your own decision matrix.

Critical Chain vs Critical Path: Methods Analysis

Critical Chain vs Critical Path are two distinct project management methods..

Critical Chain is a new approach that is gaining popularity and challenging the traditional method, which relies on the Critical Path.

In this article, we’ll explore how they work, their differences, and which approach is best.

What is the Critical Chain Method (CCM)?

This approach focuses on identifying and managing critical resources within a project to optimize project planning, reduce delays, and improve completion on schedule.

Unlike the Critical Path method, which focuses on crucial operations based solely on duration and dependencies, the Critical Chain method also factors in resource availability.

One of the key elements of the Critical Chain methodology is buffer management to mitigate uncertainty-associated risks. There are three buffers:

·   Project Buffer: included at the end of the project to absorb any delays accumulated during the work.

·   Feeding Buffer: Included among non-critical activities to prevent any delays in secondary tasks from affecting the main path.

·   Resource Buffer: Guarantees that resources are available at the right time. Yet another distinctive feature of Critical Path is the reduction of multitasking.

Many companies assign resources to more than one project or task at a time, which causes constant changes and a possible loss of productivity and efficiency.

With the Critical Path method, critical resources are focused on one task at a time, thus reducing the risks associated with multitasking.

This methodology provides benefits such as a greater probability of completing the project on schedule, a reduction in the total execution time, and better resource management.

What is the Critical Path Method (CPM)?

The CPM, critical path method, is a project management technique used to determine the longest path of interdependent activities, thus establishing the minimum time needed to complete a project.

The Critical Path Method emerged as one of the most popular tools for project managers’ planning and monitoring activities.

This method is based on constructing a network diagram that represents all the tasks necessary for completing a project, identifying their dependencies, and estimating the duration of each one.

The so-called critical path is the task sequence with the longest total duration, which determines the minimum duration for completing the project.

If any task on the critical path is delayed, the entire project will be delayed unless changes are made to the schedule.

In CPM, one of the core concepts is “float,” or margin of flexibility.

Total float indicates the maximum delay time allowed for an activity without impacting the project completion date.

On the other hand, free float indicates the delay time that an activity can undergo without influencing the start of a subsequent activity.

The CPM has many benefits: it allows you to identify critical activities to allocate resources accordingly, and it enables more accurate planning by identifying possible bottlenecks in advance.

Despite these strengths, the Critical Path Method does present some challenges.

For example, this methodology requires accurate data on activity duration, which is not always possible in highly uncertain environments.

Furthermore, the CPM does not take into account limitations related to resource availability, an aspect better managed by the Critical Chain methodology.

Differences between the Critical Chain Method and the Critical Path Method in project management

·   Priority: The Critical Chain method focuses on resource and buffer management, while Critical Path focuses on task management.

 ·  Resources: The Critical Path Method is less precise than the Critical Chain Method because it assumes that all resources will be accessible simultaneously. The CCM focuses on limited resources and uses accessible resources to create a feasible schedule.

· Buffer: As we saw in the Critical Chain method, the buffer is used for the whole project, while in the Critical Path method, the additional time is applied to single tasks.

· Multitasking: CPM supports multitasking, which means that two activities in the path can be completed simultaneously. On the contrary, CCM does not support multitasking.

Critical Chain vs Critical Path: using project management software

The use of project management software is crucial for effectively employing both the Critical Path Method (CPM) and the Critical Chain Method (CCM).

A project management tool allows you to improve resource planning, monitoring, and optimization.

One of the best project management software programs on the market is Twproject.

This tool allows you to automate the calculation of the critical path, visualize the progress of activities in real-time, and improve resource management, thus increasing the efficiency and probability of the project’s success.

Twproject perfectly adapts to both CPM and CCM methodologies. Specifically:

  • With the Critical Path Method, Twproject provides features that allow you to create network diagrams, establish dependencies between activities, and thus identify the critical path. Thanks to these features, project managers can automatically estimate the minimum duration of the project and identify the activities that directly influence the completion date. Moreover, the real-time updating feature helps the team to monitor any delays and to intervene quickly to keep the project on track.

  • For the critical chain method, using Twproject helps to manage critical resources and project buffers effectively. This tool allows you to allocate resources optimally, avoid multitasking, and ensure that crucial activities are completed without interruption. In addition, Twproject provides customized dashboards and reports to visualize buffers and promptly report any time overruns.

Between CCM and CPM, no method is objectively better than the other.

The best approach depends on various criteria, including the project, the team, and the corporate culture.

Independently of the method chosen, using project management software such as Twproject will increase the probability of success in project management and allow you to work more efficiently.

Plan your projects with Twproject

Project-Driven & Project-dependent: key differences

In the business and project management environment, organizations generally can be categorized into project-driven and project-dependent.

Understanding this distinction is crucial for project managers who need to customize their strategies and approaches to the organizational context.

So, in this article, we will take a look at the key differences between these two models.

Project-driven businesses: What are they?

Project-driven businesses are those whose core operations revolve around the execution and success of their projects.

Examples of these companies include:

  • Architectural or engineering firms and construction firms
  • General and specialized contractors
  • Software development companies
  • Consulting and professional services companies

In these organizations, each project is a separate revenue-generating entity. Growth is achieved by picking projects based on type, size, and profitability potential.

The strategic focus is, therefore, on competitive bidding, contract execution, and maximizing profitability per project.

Resource allocation strategies are flexible, often combining internal teams with external consultants, depending on project requirements.

As each project contributes directly to revenues and the success of the organization as a whole, project managers must focus on cost efficiency, risk mitigation, and maintaining client relationships to secure future contracts.

Project-Driven-VS-Project-dependent_twproject

Project-dependent businesses: what are they?

Project-dependent organizations typically undertake projects to support their core business operations rather than as their main product.

These companies provide continued goods or services and use projects to drive growth and their competitive advantage.

Some examples of such organizations are:

  • Manufacturing enterprises
  • Banking and financial services
  • Transportation and communications providers
  • Government agencies and nonprofit organizations

In these contexts, projects are typically internally funded and aim to improve business processes, develop new products, or implement strategic initiatives.

As projects are essential for growth and innovation, these are not the organization’s main offerings to the market.

The growth strategy here is focused on market expansion, product innovation, and operational efficiency.

Resource allocation is more stable, with dedicated teams working on strategic initiatives.

Aligning project outcomes with strategic business objectives is critical for project managers in these environments.

Project-driven vs. project-dependent: Difference in organizational structure

Project-driven organizations commonly operate a project or matrix structure where project managers exercise substantial authority over resources and decision-making.

This structure supports the agility and rapid decision-making necessary for competitive bidding and dynamic project execution.

Nevertheless, it can also bring challenges, including:

  • Resource conflicts between projects
  • Temporary teams
  • High pressure to meet contract-specific deliverables

The organizational culture in project-driven companies is often entrepreneurial and customer-focused; project managers in this environment must be well-versed in leadership, negotiation, and conflict resolution.

Conversely, project-dependent organizations often operate under a functional or balanced matrix structure in which project managers work within predefined organizational hierarchies.

This structure promotes stability, clear career paths, and efficient use of resources. Still, there can be challenges here as well, including:

  • Slower decision-making processes due to hierarchical approval processes
  • Limited authority for project managers
  • Challenges in cross-departmental collaboration

Culture in these organizations generally tends to be process-oriented and hierarchical, emphasizing efficiency, consistency, and strategic alignment.

Project-driven vs. project-dependent: main risks

In project-driven businesses, the main risks are:

· Revenue uncertainty: reliance on winning bids can result in fluctuating and sometimes unpredictable revenue streams.

· Resource management: balancing internal and external resources requires strategic agility not everyone possesses.

· Scope creep and customer expectations: heavy customer dependence can lead to scope shifts and budget overshoots.

· Competitive pressure: fierce contract competition requires constant innovation and efficient cost management.

Risks in project-dependent companies, on the other hand, are:

  • Alignment with strategic goals: projects must contribute to overall business goals, requiring solid strategic alignment.
  • Resistance to change: employees accustomed to routine operations may resist changes induced by specific projects.
  • Resource allocation conflicts: projects often compete with operational priorities for resources.
  • Long-term ROI measurement: measuring project success is complex because of indirect financial impacts.

Project-driven vs project-dependent: the importance of Twproject

Project managers must recognize whether they operate in a project-driven or project-dependent organization, as this has a significant impact on their approach to leadership and execution.

As we have observed, while project-driven organizations call for agility, customer focus, and profitability management, project-dependent organizations require strategic alignment and stakeholder engagement.

Project managers can adapt their methods to maximize project success and organizational growth by understanding these distinctive traits.

Regardless of the context and purpose, using Twproject, project management software, becomes critical.

In project-driven organizations, which generate revenue primarily through carrying out projects for external clients, Twproject helps manage complex portfolios, monitor budgets and costs in real-time, allocate resources dynamically, and keep ongoing communication with clients and stakeholders.

costi software project management twproject

This approach ensures each project’s operational efficiency and profitability while supporting strategic decisions.

By contrast, in project-dependent organizations, where projects support core operations, Twproject is beneficial for aligning projects with business objectives, assessing strategic impact, and managing cross-functional dependencies.

This facilitates department collaboration, optimizing resource use and ensuring that projects contribute to business growth and innovation.

In both scenarios, effective use of this project management tool increases operational efficiency, improves communication, and facilitates the achievement of strategic objectives, thus making it a must-have tool for project managers.

Tieni tutti i progetti sotto controllo con Twproject!

 

Project scheduling: management and process

Project scheduling is one of the main activities of project planning and represents a structured planning process to ensure the success of the project.

It is summarized in a document that describes all the work necessary to deliver the project on time and with success.

A project, in fact, is composed by many activities and each activity includes a beginning and an end. In the same manner, people have different times and different availabilities. All of this must be rationally included in a project schedule, often supported by Gantt charts to clearly visualise timelines and dependencies.

The project management program is a document that outlines the work to be done, the order in which it must be done, what resources are required, how they will be distributed, and how long they will take to work on the various activities.

Thanks to digital tools, the programme is an excellent way to keep track of progress and changes in real time.

Project scheduling also helps project managers communicate and deal with team members as well as stakeholders and also helps keeping the project on track.

Specifically, a project schedule includes:

  • Milestones 
  • Deliverables
  • Tasks required to complete the results
  • Dependencies between tasks
  • Requirements and allocation of resources
  • Deadlines, time intervals and duration of activities

As it is he case in many aspects during project management, also scheduling is performed in various steps.

When creating a program, project managers estimate work, timing, and resources. However, all this information is subject to change once the project is in progress.

Scheduling is usually created during the initial phases of the project, but is detailed throughout the project life cycle.

How to plan a project

There are three basic questions for project scheduling:

  1. What must be done?
  2. When will it be done?
  3. Who will do it?

Once obtained the answers to these questions, it is possible to start the project schedule in details.
Here are the steps necessary for managing a project’s planning.

1. Plan the scheduling management

in this beginner phase, the directives and procedures for the development, management and control of the project schedule are established.

In this phase, you can organize a brainstorming meeting, where you can create a draft of the program or obtain a list of ideas.

Moreover, during the meeting, it is useful to ask for feedback from the people who will actually work on the project.

In fact, team members have a unique vision of how much time they will need in order to perform the tasks and what their skills and knowledge are.

During this meeting it is also good to acquire inputs from the client and other stakeholders.

2. Define the activities

This is the phase in which the specific activities and tasks to achieve the project goals are identified, ie the tasks to produce the deliverable and complete the project with success.

3. Sort the activities

In this phase, we identify the relationships and interdependencies between all the project activities. To do this, it is necessary to consider how the activities relate to each other, in addition to any time or resource limits.

4. Estimate the duration of the activities

In this phase, we proceed with the estimation of the activities identified matching them with the estimated resources.

It is probably one of the most difficult parts of the project schedule, but it is also one of the most important as it has a huge impact on the total cost.

The term “duration” refers to the number of working hours, days, weeks, or months that team members need to complete a given activity.

Properly estimating the duration is important for both parties: this keeps customers happy, as work proceeds according to plan, and keeps team members happy, as they can easily meet deadlines.

5. Develop the schedule

In this phase, we proceed to analyze all the previous points in order to create the definitive project scheduling model.

Gantt charts are often used to keep track of planned activities and deadlines.

Want to give it a try?

Create your first Gantt chart in Twproject and try tracking a real activity of your team.

Try it out now!


6. Control the schedule

In this last phase, the project status is monitored throughout its life cycle in order to update and modify the schedule as the details become clearer.

For simpler projects with a narrower scope, the points from number 2 to number 5 are so connected that they can be performed by one single person.

scheduling management


Best practices for project scheduling

Once you have seen the basic steps for creating a project schedule, let’s see what are some best practices.

These are based on the opinion and experience of renowned project management organizations such as the Project Management Institute (PMI), as well as other project management experts.

  • Be clear and detailed. If this were not the case, team members would not know exactly what to do and when to do it. The more detailed the project schedule is, the more effective the work will be. But be careful not to fall into the opposite error, which is overloading the team and the stakeholders with too much information.
  • Make sure that the workload foreseen in the project schedule is balanced.
    It is important to assign the right people to the right tasks and that the workload is distributed evenly. Moreover, it is advisable to ask the team members to review the program in order to make sure the workload is reasonable. This is particularly crucial in organizations where budgets are limited and / or staff has limited availability. It is also recommended to regularly review all the tasks the team is working on in order to ensure that distribution is maintained appropriately.
  • Building the schedule based on results and milestones, not around activities.
    It may be instinctive to build the program around the tasks, because they represent the actual work of the team, but there is nothing more wrong. If the planning is built around the activities in fact, it is difficult to say whether the requests for changes fall within the project or not. Activities can be carried out in a number of different ways and can have a variety of outcomes.
    Milestones, on the other hand, are quantifiable and follow certain standards and criteria. In addition, creating a program on these elements helps you stay in line and to achieve the project goals.
  • Prepare for change. It is not a question of whether the program will change, but when and how it will change. Needs, events, risks and activities of the parties constantly change in the management of the projects. For this reason, the project schedule is a work in progress throughout the life cycle of a project. When drawing up the schedule, it is appropriate to make assumptions about what changes might occur, when, and what kind of effect they might have on the project. Including extra time for important tasks allows you to make changes without sending the project off course. However, it is also necessary to create limitations in order to prevent changes that do not address the scope of the project.
  • Organize regular team meetings. Meetings with the team, the clients and the key stakeholders will help to manage the program more effectively. During these sessions, all the parties can ask questions, get updates on the progress of the activities and make decisions about the estimates and work.

New trends in the management of the project schedule

Considering the current global market, highly competitive and highly flexible, managing the project schedule properly becomes even more important.

In particular, there are two emerging practices for project scheduling:

Iterative scheduling with backlog

In this model, the requirements are reported in customer records and prioritized prior to product development. Ideally, some of these deliverables can be completed and delivered to the client during the work, instead of doing everything at the end of the project.

The great advantage of this method is that it accepts and applies the changes during the life cycle of the project, therefore during the development of the deliverables. It is therefore an iterative program.

Scheduling on request

Unlike the previous one, this approach is not based on a schedule developed previously for the requirements and product development. Here, the requested job is reported into a backlog in order to be executed when the resources become available.

To give an example, it is a situation like: “Here is a list of things to do. Good! Maria is available to do the work and can finish it in a week“.

Project Management Software: why choose Twproject

Another trend in project scheduling is the use of project management software tools.

While project scheduling in the past was carried out via printed calendars or shared worksheets via e-mail, today most organizations and teams use project planning tools and software.

Typically, project scheduling is just one of several features that project management software can have.

The use of a project management software helps project managers and team members to communicate, track, and review the schedule more efficiently and effectively, thus leading the project towards success.

Discover how Twproject transforms project scheduling into a simple, collaborative and fully integrated experience:

  • Interactive and collaborative Gantt charts
    Create, edit and share your Gantt charts in just a few clicks. The whole team can update timelines in real time, avoiding version errors and overlapping tasks.
  • Keep track of hours and costs in real time
    Automatically record the time spent on each activity. Instantly calculate project costs and compare them with the planned budget, so you always have margins and expenses under control.
  • An integrated planning process with team chat and automatic notifications
    Communicate directly on the task via internal chat: comments, attachments and mentions always remain linked to the correct activity. Receive automatic alerts when milestones expire, assignments change or delays occur.
  • Customisable dashboards to monitor milestones, resources and risks
    Build your ideal dashboard by choosing charts and widgets: from milestone progress to workload of team members, to early warning of potential risks. Share one-click reports with stakeholders and customers for total transparency.

With Twproject, you not only optimise your planning process, but also provide your entire team with an excellent way to collaborate, track activities and ensure the success of every project.

Try Twprojet to manage your projects

How to optimize work organization in teams

Efficient teamwork organization is a key process for achieving project success.

An effective team stimulates unique strengths and allows individuals to reach their full potential.

In this article, we will cover how to optimize work organization in teams and what tools to choose to maximize work performance.

Why is work organization in teams important?

While having a team composed of the brightest individuals, productivity and quality of work will most likely suffer without effective teamwork.

Good organization allows tasks to be distributed fairly, optimizing each member’s skills and reducing the risk of overload or duplication of effort.

It also facilitates communication, avoiding misunderstandings and improving coordination among team members.

A well-organized team can easily meet deadlines, adapt to changes, and tackle challenges flexibly.

Finally, a clear and structured work organization increases motivation and a sense of responsibility, contributing to a positive work environment and individual and collective growth.

8 strategies on how to optimize work organization in teams

organizzazione del lavoro in team twproject

1. Build mixed and inclusive teams.

 Creating diverse teams rather than groups of people with similar ideas is important.

At first, it might seem easier to work with like-minded employees, thus avoiding possible arguments. However, people with different backgrounds are more likely to bring different perspectives and experiences.

If all team members think alike, come from similar backgrounds, and have the same opinions, the work that is produced is likely to be one-sided and less creative.

With multiple points of view, you can achieve more in-depth decision-making, potentially creating more innovative work.

2. Clearly define roles and responsibilities for each team member

When employees are unsure of their duties and responsibilities, it often creates tension within the team.

Each team member must know exactly what they are responsible for so that there is no overlap in tasks.

If multiple employees work on the same task due to confusion of responsibilities, valuable time will end up wasted.

3. Build trust within your team

It is hard to work productively if the atmosphere is tense.

For this reason, trust is very important when you want to lead a team to success.

Trust among team members can thrive with something as simple as having dinner together or partaking in team-building activities.

It is also important to encourage team members to interact with each other outside of work. This will build trust and boost employee morale and satisfaction with their work lives.

4. Promote clear and frequent communication

Although this may seem like superfluous advice, it is one of the first to be overlooked.

Certainly, maintaining clear and frequent communication, especially with large and/or remote teams, is easier said than done.

However, communicating clearly will ensure that all team members are on the same page, leading to more accurate work completed in a shorter time.

Effective communication also helps build team members’ trust, improving their overall performance.

5. Grant teams autonomy in decision-making

Having confidence in team members to make their own decisions is important for building trust and improving teamwork.

If people do not have the freedom and power to make decisions concerning work in the company, they will begin to feel resentment and, in the worst cases, begin to obstruct work.

It is important to give team members the freedom to make their own decisions, always within a person’s role and capacity, to keep them involved and engaged.

6. Manage team meetings wisely

Regardless of how often they are held, team meetings should be used to plan, brainstorm, reflect, and share ideas.

No matter how often teams meet (depending on the type of project), each meeting should have a structured plan.

There is nothing more frustrating than having frequent meetings that lead nowhere.

7. Don’t be afraid to reorganize team dynamics

If certain roles and/or responsibilities are not working for some team members, it is important to make some changes.

The project manager should not be afraid to reorganize and reallocate tasks to improve team dynamics and productivity.

If employees fill roles in which they are not successful, this will negatively impact the entire team because generally, each person’s work depends on the work of one or more other team members.

Therefore, human resource management is important, as is ensuring that all team members are in suitable roles that allow them to use their skills and show their full potential.

8. Provide your team with learning opportunities

It is important to provide the team with appropriate training and guidance to maximize the benefits of teamwork in the workplace.

Providing learning opportunities will improve teamwork skills and increase employee engagement and job satisfaction.

Workshops, trainings, and conferences outside the organization are great ways to ensure that employees understand the importance of teamwork and how to be effective team members.

Optimizing work organization in teams with Twproject

The strategies seen in this article will enable improved work efficiency in teams.

However, there’s a tool you can use to simplify this process even further: Twproject.

Twproject is project management software that adapts to business needs and allows you to maintain 360-degree control of your project.

Among its features are team planning tools that help prioritize tasks, manage workloads, and set clear deadlines.

Even with well-defined workflows and effective collaboration, challenges and critical issues can still arise suddenly, leading to distractions and inefficiencies that slow progress.

One of the most critical aspects is data overload, making it difficult to identify relevant information.

For this reason, Twproject provides advanced tools for managing views and using smart filters, allowing you to display only what is really needed for each project. (Learn more about this in the article. Free yourself from data overload by optimizing views with project filters.)

That is why project management software such as Twproject helps the project manager and team members maintain focus, optimize workflows, and ensure that projects are completed on time.

In today’s increasingly dynamic and competitive market, where speed and dexterity are pivotal success factors, having a tool that optimizes project management is no longer an option but a strategic necessity.

Work together with your team effectively

The best tools for Financial Planning

Most of the time, bad financial planning leads to project failure or late delivery.

Solving this issue is not easy, but in this article, we will provide tips on how to improve project financial management and the best tools for it.

What is project financial planning?

Financial planning is the art of managing all financial matters in a project, from expenses to potential excess funds.

This process includes estimates, budgeting, risk management, and financial reporting.

The primary purpose of project financial management is to ensure that the work is completed within the given budget while achieving financial goals.

Someone has to manage all financial transactions, like expenses or payments received, throughout the project life cycle.

Usually, the project manager works alongside a finance manager to set the budget and monitor expenditures, but these figures can change depending on the size of the company and industry.

Successful financial management helps the project manager optimize resource allocation, manage risk, and make informed decisions based on real-time financial data.

Getting it right can make the difference between the success or failure of a project.

Financial planning throughout the project life cycle

Typically, financial planning is done in stages that align with the different phases of a project’s life cycle. These are:

•   Launching phase: Here, the financial situation of the project is assessed according to the business capabilities.

•   Planning phase: The actual financial management begins after project feasibility is confirmed. Project budget and expense allocations are synced with key activity milestones.

•  Execution phase: As the project team focuses on completing assigned tasks, the budget must always be monitored to catch any deviations in costs and expenses in time and take improvement measures.

•   Closing phase: Here, it is imperative to conduct a financial review to assess the return on investment (ROI) and overall financial impact of the project.

Common challenges of project financial planning

Managing a project’s financial statement is a task that involves critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

The following are some common challenges of project financial planning:

•   Unexpected costs: You can painstakingly plan a project, yet unexpected expenses can arise that cause the budget to go over budget. These can be caused by errors in procurement or macroeconomic factors, such as changes in the market that are beyond your business’ control.

•   Inaccurate budget projections:Budget creation is a complex process that requires rough forecasts of future events, such as the cost of materials, staffing, and other expenses.

•   Cash flow management:Even if the overall budget is accurate, delays in funding or payments can stall progress. It is challenging to sustain a steady cash flow successfully, but it is necessary to monitor the budget closely.

•   Scope creep: During the project life cycle, stakeholders may request additional features or changes that were not initially considered. This translates into project costs that can escalate if not proactively checked.

•   Poor communication: Clear communication among all parties is a vital requirement for effective project financial management. Poorly managed communication can alter a project’s financial balance due to duplicate efforts, missed payments, or misallocated funds resulting from a lack of transparency or misunderstandings.

Twproject: the best project financial planning tool

Traditionally, businesses have managed their finances manually, such as spreadsheets.

However, in today’s marketplace, which presents many more variables than in the past, most organizations have transitioned to more automated solutions.

Financial information must be relevant, timely, and accurate. It must provide a true picture of performance and fact-based information needed to make realistic predictions about future performance.

This is why choosing project management software with accounting capabilities enables it to support long-term project planning.

Twproject is a tool designed to support companies of all sizes and industries.

This software offers a range of functionality for both day-to-day project activities and broader enterprise-wide efforts.

Twproject supports project budgets of all kinds; moreover, complex budgets can be broken down into multiple phases to simplify financial management.

Budgets can be monitored at any time, and all changes made are automatically applied to the data in real-time.

Twproject also sports a custom reporting feature that allows you to add all those key parameters for a specific project to the documentation.

These reports can be shared with relevant parties by arranging views on the dashboard or scheduling them to be sent via e-mail.

These features, and others that Twproject offers, help project managers manage the complete project picture while simplifying collaboration and communication with the team.

As we have discussed, optimal financial planning is vital to the success of a project and a company in general.

Every step is critical, from the opening assessment and estimation to monitoring and adjusting for changes during project execution and the full financial review at closure.

Implementing project management software such as Twproject, which can manage a business’s budget and overall processes, is, therefore, a major advantage.

Keep costs under control with Twproject

Twproject: The software that fits your business needs

Business needs are characterized by rapid change, increased diversification, and a strong focus on efficiency.

Therefore, using flexible and powerful tools has become key for every project manager.

In this scenario, Twproject stands out as a solution that can be used in any business environment, regardless of size or industry.

In this article, we take a look at what it can offer.

Twproject core features overview

One of Twproject‘s major highlights is its power to centralize all activities pertaining to project management.

This software allows you to plan, monitor, and control projects, activities, resources, time and costs all in one platform.

Features that make Twproject comprehensive software include:

  • Visual planning with Gantt charts

A Gantt chart provides a clear visualization of the order and dependencies of activities. 

Twproject offers an interactive Gantt chart tool that helps modify the plan in real-time, updating deadlines and rearranging priorities. Moreover, Twproject‘s dynamic approach makes it easy to integrate new tasks or milestones into the project plan without interrupting workflow.

Gantt chart in Twproject

  • Resource management

Thanks to its user-friendly dashboard, Twproject provides real-time monitoring of resource utilization. This helps the project manager promptly identify overburdened or underutilized resources and thus reassign tasks to optimize workload.

Balanced resource management improves productivity and helps keep team morale high by avoiding stressful situations due to improper task distribution.

  • Cost control

Keeping track of costs and schedules is critical to ensuring project success. As such, Twproject helps project managers keep track of all expenses in real-time, comparing actual costs with planned costs.

This allows them to identify discrepancies, prevent budget overshoots, and, in general, optimize finances.

costi pianificati
  • Time monitoring

Besides cost control, Twproject comes with time-tracking features.

Each team member can record their work hours directly on the platform and then update the data in real-time. Each report dedicated to time tracking can be customized and adapted to business needs.

  • Document sharing and communication

Effective communication between team members and stakeholders is a major but often overlooked part.

Twproject addresses this concern by providing tools that enable easy communication between employees and quickly sharing documents. Furthermore, all project-relevant information, messages, and documents can be saved within this platform, thus obviating the need to use external tools and the risk of losing valuable information.

  • Accessible from anywhere and at any time

As remote work becomes increasingly prominent, it is critical to have project management software that allows access from anywhere, anytime. Twproject offers a fully mobile interface allowing users to access data from anywhere.

Twproject: Adaptability to different business needs and methodologies

Every organization has its own unique characteristics, processes, and needs.

Twproject‘s key strength is its unparalleled flexibility, which allows it to adapt to any business reality and methodology.

More specifically, this ground-breaking project management software allows you to:

· Set up and organize workflows to match business methodology and processes.

· Generate customized reports and dashboards to monitor the most relevant KPIs while maintaining a comprehensive picture of performance.

Whether a company embraces an Agile approach or one that prefers more traditional methodologies, Twproject offers functionality that can meet every need.

If work requires flexibility, Twproject can be a dynamic tool for making last-minute changes and managing projects quickly.

Conversely, if your company needs a more linear process, Twproject provides structured management with predefined workflows and rigid scheduling.

Bottom line, why choose Twproject?

In today’s increasingly competitive marketplace, the ability to manage projects effectively and quickly respond to change is no longer just an advantage but a requirement for business success.

Organizations face increasingly complex and changing challenges, and relying on comprehensive project management software can be a real game-changer.

As we have covered in this article, Twproject is not just another management tool; rather, it aims to improve the overall efficiency of processes throughout the company.

This approach delivers positive results on individual projects and long-term business performance.

Whether it is a simple project or a major company-wide effort, Twproject provides all the tools needed to complete the job successfully.

Twproject‘s high level of adaptability allows it to respond to a wide range of business needs, whether those of small companies with simple processes or large multinational organizations.

Twproject is, therefore, a flexible solution that fits any industry: the ultimate ally for every project manager.

Still in doubt? Well, you can try yourself with a free demo.

The technical feasibility of a project: how to assess it with the allocation of resources

The allocation of the right resources to a project according to their skills and availability makes it easier to assess the technical feasibility of the project.

In fact, during the project feasibility study, the allocation of resources relates to the technical sphere and is crucial for verifying whether the company has the appropriate skills to meet the project requirements.

It is essential to consider the people involved in a project right from the planning stage, as it is they who determine the success or failure of the initiative.

This makes it possible to plan resources more effectively, facilitate communication and prevent conflicts.

A careful assessment of the human factor helps to create a collaborative working environment and better manage internal dynamics, contributing to achieving project goals more efficiently and harmoniously.

Recreating the corporate structure

It is precisely because we consider the human factor to be fundamental that at Twproject we have implemented a tree-based system for the input of human resources.

This system makes it possible to reconstruct the company structure by grouping personnel into groups and sub-groups, each of which has its own function within the company.

Recreating the corporate structure, or in the case of individual projects the project organisational structure, is not an end in itself.

We will see later how and why it is useful to assign a project phase directly to a team and not to a single resource.

This is what a resource card looks like in Twproject. In addition to belonging to the company and a possible department or sub-group, we can also insert a series of tags, which summarise the specific competences of the person.

adding resource card

For example, within the IT department, the manager can enter which programming languages the resources are familiar with, which tools they use, and so on.

Resource tags are a key element in the search for resources to allocate to projects, which can be displayed when using a special team filter.

Let us now see how all these tools for allocating resources can help to assess the technical feasibility of a project when we distribute activities.

Allocating a project phase to a department (and thus to its resources)

When the project manager comes to schedule resources in projects, Twproject offers a useful option.

If we have grouped personnel according to the company structure, we can also assign a project phase to an entire department.

To do this, we will select from the Gantt chart, for example, the entire IT department as being generally responsible for the entire infrastructure creation phase of an application.

department allocation to a project phase

This can have two advantages:

1. it allows us to immediately see the total load for the entire department and thus assess the availability of personnel and the feasibility of the project phase.

2. it allows to pospone the direct assignment of tasks to resources to a later date; or otherwise leaves the decision to the direct managers of the department, who know the resources, their skills and availability better.

If we enter the estimated workload, we will see the availability percentage for the entire department updated. This percentage indicates how busy all the resources in a department are during the project phase in question.

This ensures that there is a general readiness to perform the activity: who and how will perform the individual tasks can be seen later.

Allocating to direct resources: the use of tags

Coming to the specific case of direct contracting, here is how to optimise the allocation of resources in a project by selecting them according to specific skills possessed.

Let’s say that for the design phase of our project we need a CAD expert.

Using the +Team button from the resource assignment window of the Gantt, we can display all the resources that have previously been assigned that tag.

allocation of resources using project tag

If we have done a good job during the resource entry phase, tags will come in very handy at this stage.

We can also temporarily place all resources with that tag and then see which one has the greatest availability to carry out the project.

worklog percentage after time estimates

Assuming an estimated workload of 100 hours, we see that the resource with the highest availability, in the image above, is Robert.

In order not to overload the other two colleagues, we could then choose Robert as the project phase assignee.

This function is therefore very useful for finding the right person based on his or her skills and, together with the load visualisation, allows us to better carry out our resource management plan.

Rescheduling project timelines if resources reach full capacity

We have seen how project phases are assigned to teams or individuals according to their specific skills.

And Twproject, in doing so, immediately shows us how much the new assignment will affect the workload.

But what if the chosen resource or even worse the whole department is already fully loaded for the given period?

This will not necessarily jeopardise the feasibility of the project; instead, it will allow us to postpone the phase to a period with greater availability of the personnel involved.

With Twproject, there is no need to do complicated calculations to find the right timing, nor do we have to postpone the work to an indefinite future time.

In fact, we can take advantage of the tools that the Gantt chart provides to do these calculations for us.

  • First of all, we have to select the workload icon, which will show in red the workload percentage of the resource currently overloaded.
  • At the same time, the icon for rescheduling timings will appear next to the project dates. By clicking on it, the Gantt will suggest a schedule adjustment that allows the maximum resource load to be respected.
timing rescheduling on the basi of resource availability

In this case we see that the suggestion is to postpone the end date of the phase by about ten days, so as not to overload the resources involved.

What the Gantt suggests to us is a proposal, which we can accept or not, or modify to our liking.

Twproject’s Gantt chart is in fact an operational tool, which allows testing and hypothesising scenarios. Each change is provisional, and to make it final we have to save the data.

Then we can save our programme and easilty share it.

Final summary

In this post we have tried to give you some examples of how to estimate the resources of a project in a practical way and with the usual flexibility that Twproject offers.

The purpose is to show you how easy it is to customise this activity to your needs.

But even more so, we believe that if done carefully, the allocation of project resources is a crucial factor in assessing the technical feasibility of the project.

In the event that feasibility is not guaranteed, Twproject also has the right tools to better reschedule our project plan and ensure better success.

If these are the solutions you are looking for, try Twproject for free for 14 days and see how easy and intuitive it is to plan this way.

Plan your workload and ensure project feasibility.

 

Optimization of business processes – business process management

Business process optimization is a real challenge for most organizations.

Processes are simply the heart of a company and the work that is carried out here, they exist in every department and team and are fundamental to the outcome of operations.

Business processes can be considered as a map that defines the paths and the flow of business activities that take place within and between different business functions.

However, moving from point “A” to point “B” along these paths, and doing so as efficiently as possible, is often a great challenge.

It takes time, resources and good planning. It is also important to ensure that the processes are robust and the work runs smoothly.

This is where the management and optimization of business processes comes into play.

What is business process optimization and what are its benefits?

The optimization of business processes is the procedure that allows to increase organizational efficiency by improving processes.

Optimized processes lead to optimized business objectives.

Some examples of optimization are:

  • Lifting of dismissals
  • Workflow simplification
  • Improved communication

Every organization, in any industry, is in constant competition, regularly facing threats coming from other companies, disruptive technologies and changes in standards.

The optimization of business processes offers many benefits that can help organizations to stay afloat while facing big waves of change, through:

  • Market compliance
  • Optimized operations
  • Reduced risks
  • Good use of resources
  • Consistency
  • Guaranteed quality
  • End-to-end visibility

What are the steps for implementing the optimization of business processes?

Planning is key to getting the most out of your business process management efforts.

Below is a brief, detailed guide to implementing a process optimization plan.

  • Identify

In order to start an effective optimisation process, it is essential to examine the current state of the process by identifying any critical issues and inefficiencies that compromise its functioning. It is necessary to select the problematic process on which to intervene, clearly defining its purpose and objectives.

An essential aspect is the collection of reliable data, together with feedback from employees directly involved in day-to-day operations, in order to fully understand the operational difficulties and identify possible workable solutions.

  • Analyze

its performance against the business objectives in order to understand the gap between the current state and the desired state.

It is essential to identify the main causes of any delays and errors, analysing the workflow in detail to identify redundancies or wasted resources. An in-depth analysis makes it possible to estimate the potential benefits of optimisation, thus enabling the effectiveness of the changes to be made and their long-term sustainability to be determined.

  • Implement

After analysing the critical aspects of the process and identifying the most effective solutions, it is necessary to develop a clear and detailed action plan for its restructuring.

This may include the removal of redundant activities, the simplification of complex steps and the adoption of new working methodologies. In addition, the implementation of technological tools can facilitate the automation of repetitive tasks, reducing the margin of error and improving overall productivity.

A crucial aspect in this phase is the involvement of staff, so that the transition goes smoothly and the new practices are adopted effectively and sustainably over time.

  • Monitor

Once the changes have been implemented, it is essential to continuously monitor the process to assess its effectiveness.

Key performance indicators must be kept under review to measure the impact of the changes introduced and to verify that they have actually brought the expected benefits.

In addition, it is useful to conduct periodic reviews to identify any new critical issues or inefficiencies that may emerge over time. On the basis of the data collected, further improvements can be made to refine the process and keep it in line with corporate objectives.

Only through constant monitoring and an iterative approach can effective and lasting optimisation be guaranteed.

optimize processes

How to optimize your business processes

As already mentioned, there can be many different ways to perform business process optimization.

This, of course, depends on the process at hand: there is not a solution that is suitable for all individual scenarios.

In most cases, however, optimization is performed using one of the following methods:

Process improvement or rebuilding

This is rather straightforward: all you need is a good analysis of business processes.

The general concept is to identify areas for improvement in business processes:

  • A waste: every step within a process should, in some way, add some value to the final goal. The process itself should add value to the context of the organizational objectives. Sometimes, however, you may find that certain steps or processes are actually useless and lacking any kind of value.
  • An inefficiency or a factor that can be improved: This means that a step or process is not as efficient as it could be. Approval processes within an organization, for example, often tend to fall into this category because they are slow and complex.

Once the processes or steps that fall into these categories have been identified, it is necessary only to intervene on them to improve operational efficiency.

This can be done by restructuring the process, for example by changing the steps or their order, or by eliminating unnecessary processes, or by mixing both strategies.

Automation

Nobody likes manual work and, sometimes, there are instances where what you are doing could very well be replaced by a robot working automatically.

In this case all you have to do is find the right tool or software.

Just as a construction project manager relies on project management software to coordinate tasks, track progress, and ensure timely completion, a jewelry store owner can greatly benefit from jewelry store management software to automate inventory, streamline sales, and manage customer relationships. Both scenarios highlight the importance of having the right tool to reduce manual work and increase efficiency.

Automating business processes can thus help to reduce waste and get rid of any unnecessary manual work from employees’ workload, which leads to increased productivity and employee satisfaction.

Here is a common example:

If you consider the customer service industry, there is probably a customer support form available on the web page in almost every company.

Let’s assume that because of a product update, 10% of customers start to experience a defect.

It is therefore likely that the customer service inbox will begin be busy.

In such cases, a software that can automatically send a response based on the user’s complaint could lighten the workload of the customer service staff and they can gain valuable time to handle the most complicated requests.

>Twproject includes an optimised load calculation algorithm that enables the company to optimize resource utilization, and to have a clear view of available skills and work assignments.

Adoption of new technology and complete process modification

Adopting the right technology can indeed change the way you work.

For instance, implementing custom AI solutions into your workflows can automate repetitive tasks, enhance decision-making, and free up your team to focus on high-impact work.

Unlike the first two options, this solution does not exactly optimize a process, but rather changes it completely.

For example, to manage daily tasks that need to be performed within an organization, the management, instead of using an Excel spreadsheet, may decide to use a new task management software such as Twproject.

This helps you remember due dates through automatic messages and notifications, create new tasks and assign them to employees automatically (rather than sending an email), automatically track workflows, monitor and analyze tasks more quickly and accurately, etc.

Bottom line, optimizing a business process requires more effort than simply purchasing new software.

The optimization of business processes requires the planning and the identification of the process that requires optimization and definition of objectives and goals.

Tools such as Twproject can play a crucial role in this journey by providing a comprehensive platform for task management, project tracking and workflow optimisation.

This will then make it possible to estimate the current state of the process to determine its performance and unnecessary or inefficient factors.

We have the tools, we have the culture.