There are numerous tools and techniques that are used to aid project managers in their daunting task of planning and controlling project activities. I've organized these into categories, but keep in mind that many tools and techniques integrate several attributes of the project. For this reason these tools techniques are listed in multiple categories.
Project Initiating Tools and Techniques
These tools and techniques assist the business management team and the project management team in determining project goals and project boundaries.
Project Planning Tools and Techniques
Planning is at the heart of project management. That is why there are more project planning tools and techniques than in any other category. For this reason the planning tools have been divided into categories.
Scope Planning Tools
These assist the project team in the identification and description of project scope.
Schedule Planning Tools
These assist the project team in creating, analyzing and documenting the project schedule.
Resource/Budget Planning Tools
These assist the project team in assigning resources and creating a project budget.
Project Estimating Tools
These assist the project team in estimating both schedule and resource requirements to fulfill the goal of the project.
Project Execution Tools and Techniques
These tools and techniques assist the project team and the project manager in ensuring that the project activities are accomplished in a manner consistent with the project goals.
Project Control Tools and Techniques
These tools and techniques facilitate the understanding by the business management team and the project management team as to whether appropriate effort is being expended on the project activities so that the project goals are likely to be achieved. In addition to the techniques listed on this page, there is a separate page dedicated to the topic of Earned Value Analysis which spans both project planning and project control topics.
Project Closeout Tools and Techniques
These tools and techniques are used by the business management team and the project management team to ensure all necessary project activities are complete.
Project Communication Tools and Techniques
These tools and techniques assist the project manager in communicating both within the project team and with external stakeholders such as senior management, customers, or regulatory bodies. The techniques include those for written communication, oral communication, virtual and face-to-face meetings.
Project Risk Management Tools and Techniques
These tools and techniques assist the project manager, business management team, and the project management team in the identification and analysis of risks that threaten the achievement of the project objectives.
Project Team Leadership Tools and Techniques
These tools and techniques assist the project leader in managing the relationships between team members and managing the relationships with stakeholders.
Program Management Tools and Techniques
These tools and techniques assist the program manager in managing the unique charactrerisitics of programs.
Project Management Office Tools and Techniques
These tools and techniques assist those responsible for managing the business process of "project management." They include techniques for integrating projects with strategic planning and techniques for portfolio management.
