LiquidPlanner - hosted project management

How many times have you downloaded the free trial copy of MS Project so that you could rip out a quick project plan for your upcoming release? Hah! I thought so. None of us ‘little guys’ can afford the cash outlay, then we can’t share the MS Project with others (we print it out and tape it on a wall somewhere) and then when the trial is over how do we update for changes? Yes, one thing we can count on with project management is delay and change. Sigh.

Then I found LiquidPlanner:

Tell us one thing. Of all the projects currently on your plate, how certain are you that any one of them will be successfully completed on time?

Hard to say? Exactly. Well, you’re not alone.

LiquidPlanner is the only online project management software that helps you capture and manage uncertainty in timeline estimates in order to build schedules you can trust.

The ‘timeline estimates’ really caught my eye. I can’t tell you how many times I have tried to build a project plan that requires specific dates - the guys I work with can all give me a range but if I try to pin them down I get the standard: ‘whatever’. So, here is a project management system that uses ranges instead of specifics. Cool. The estimates then provide for different scenarios and through ‘probabilistic scheduling’ you can see how realistic your plan is.

Some other benefits? It’s free for up to three users (2 GB), the site serves up good information that is simple and easy to use and they have a self-proclaimed coffee fetish and a Director of Rocket Science. Nice.

OK, seriously, it is hosted for better collaboration, it is free for up to three users as mentioned and it still uses the familiar gantt chart visual. Users can adjust the range estimates as they fall behind or get ahead of schedule and everyone on the project can see what’s been done and delays (no more taped up charts on walls!). Also you can add links, documents, images, videos, and other attachments and email notifications are built into the system to remind people of deadlines or when a task has been completed.

Yes, there are other hosted project management offerings for when you are in a pinch like Zoho which offers a free trial for one project and unlimited users for that single ‘trial’ project or Huddle which allows up to three users (1 GB) but you get all the ads.

We like LiquidPlanner, it’s timeline estimates, PC and Mac browsers and a good price point for when your team expands.

Next round of coffee is on us.