A lot of software is available on the internet to help you run your projects. On this page we will provide some pointers on where to get applications for free. And let me start by saying: free is as good as any kind available.

There are three types in existence:

• desktop applications,
• webbased services
• webbased systems.

Free desktop software for project management

This type of applications are installed on your PC. Think in the line of MS Office and MSProject. A nice free software package in this category is GanttProject. This actually looks like an MS Project knock off.

Webbased services

By this I mean websites that offer an on-line internet application that supports project management. You don't have to install anything, you just signup for a service that is running on someone else's server.

An example is iTeamWork, which is kind of a collaboration tool, where you can define projects and tasks, assign people to them, track and trace them, view to-do lists, etc.

Webbased systems

The difference between webbased services and systems is that with the latter you do have to install software on your own hardware. As open source development is taking more and more ground, some of these applications are quite powerful.

The are all more collaboration tools the just plain project management tools. So, if you just need something to create a nice Gantt chart, don't use this category, as it would be overkill.

Examples in this category are:

dotProject

dotProject is a PHP web-based project management framework that includes modules for companies, projects, tasks (with Gantt charts), forums, files, calendar, contacts, tickets/helpdesk, multi-language support, user/module permissions and themes.

php-collab
phpCollab is an open-source internet-enabled collaboration workspace for project teams.

phProjekt
PHProjekt is a modular application for the coordination of group activities and to share informations and document via intranet and internet. Components of PHProjekt: Group calendar, project management, time card system, file management, contact manager, mail client and 9 other modules …

Consultant Communicator
Consultant Communicator is focused upon the time keeping aspect of project management. Unlike the majority of other tools, it does not use a graphical task time line, it instead uses a hierarchal system.

f2w Helpdesk
f2w Helpdesk isn't actually a pure project management tool; it was actually developed to be a help desk solution. However, it can also be used to manage people.

Taskjuggler
Taskjuggler calls itself a "Project Managers Delight" and to be fair, they're not far from the truth.

TeamSCOPE
TeamSCOPE is developed by a team at the Michigan State University. It is designed to run on Linux. It was designed and developed with communication in mind and as such it focuses on giving every member of the team access to all the files, deadlines and information.

Relevant links

Agile Or Plan-Driven Project Management: One Size Doesn't Fit All

Web Timesheet Software Directory. Web-based software for time tracking, payroll, billing, expense, cost and invoicing.
Standard Time – Timesheet and Project Management Software