Project management tools

For those of you out there who oversee large or multiple projects, what tools do you employ to keep the chaos at bay and keep track of deadlines and how all the parts affect one another? I can generally keep all the details for one small or mid-sized project in my head backed up with the "big text file" of when everything is due, but for multiple projects, I've found that the "big text file" really doesn't cut it.

It depends on the scope of the project, the number of people involved, where they're located, the tools they have currently available, etc.

There is no single answer.

Try Basecamp

Not an IT specfic tool but have a look at MindManager.

Have some examples, including a browsable map, using their new IE viewer control on my blog:

http://rcd.typepad.com/rcd/mindmanager/index.html

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/FX010857951033.aspx

I've used Microsoft Project before I worked for Microsoft (and don't use it now that I am here).  It is pretty good once you figure it all out.  I would recommend taking a class if you decide to use it.  There are a lot of features that are pretty useful that don't just pop out at you.

I always try to find a good bit of open source software. So for this I would use Open WorkBench which you can find here: http://www.openworkbench.org/.

Thanks, everyone.  These look like good places to start.  If you have any advice about project management, by all means, feel free to share.

tomault wrote:

For those of you out there who oversee large or multiple projects, what tools do you employ to keep the chaos at bay and keep track of deadlines and how all the parts affect one another? I can generally keep all the details for one small or mid-sized project in my head backed up with the "big text file" of when everything is due, but for multiple projects, I've found that the "big text file" really doesn't cut it.