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Project Management Tools for IT Executives (continued)

off-the-shelf project management software. However, leading vendors such as Microsoft and Daptiv are moving toward offering project management software that monitors all work, not just project work.

After all, IT managers are usually engaged in both project management and running day-to-day operations within the business. So when software only tracks project work, you only have a partial picture of what people are working on. "Monitoring all work gives you a more relevant and manageable picture of resource usage and more management control," says Garrett. "The idea is that, in the end, you can focus people on the tasks that will really move you forward as a company."

From Project to Portfolio
Some experts argue that IT executives don't need project management software so much as they need project portfolio management, which treats individual projects as part of an overall investment portfolio. By establishing values, metrics and technologies that drive visibility across projects and measure process improvements, project portfolio management tools help executives manage a whole series of projects from beginning to end.

With project portfolio management, the goal is to implement effective resource allocation across projects, spot when schedules are slipping and flag where costs are exceeding budget. "Most senior IT executives focus on the vision and the (article continues)

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