The History of Project Management Software

Project management software helps managers minimize costs and complete projects within the deadline. This infographic takes you through a journey of the interesting history of project management software. These systems have around for a long time and from this infographic you can learn about their humble beginnings in 1896 to the advanced cloud solutions and mobile apps of today.

1896 Harmonogram

Polish economist Karol Admiecki devises the "HARMONOGRAM" which is a floating bar chart used to show resources or tasks laterally over time.

1912 Gantt Chart

Engineer Henry Gantt creates the "Gantt Chart", which breaks down the tasks into a well designed schedule structure. This diagram was used in World War I to design ships and in 1931 for the Hoover Dam. It is an essential feature of project management software today.

1954 "Project Management" term

US Air Force General Bernard Schrieve comes up with the phrase "project management".

1956 AACE

The American Association Engineers (AACE International) is created.

1957 Critical Path Method (CPM)

Remington Rand and DuPont design this method, which calculates the work required to complete a project and the duration of each phase.

1962 Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

The US Department of Defense devises this method to break down projects into smaller parts and organize them into hierarchical tree structures.

1965 Formation of IPMA

The Internation al Management Systems Association (renamed the International Project Management Association) is formed in Europe.

1969 PMI

The project Management Institute (PMI) is formed for the promotion of project management as a profession. The institute offers certificates to professionals.

1970 Waterfall Method

Winston Royce created this model in which each phase must be finished and perfected before you start the next.

1977 Emergence of Project Management Software

Many vendors start offering project management software including:

Oracle (1977)
Astemis (1977)
Scitor Corporation (1979)

1986 Capability Maturity Software

Carnegie-Mellon University's Software Engineering Institue develops “Capability Maturity Software,” which is a five-level method of increasingly mature processes.

1988 Earned Value Management

The "Erned Value Management" method which combines measurements of scope, cost and schedule is added to project management.

1996 PRINCE 2

This seven-process PM method becomes popular in the UK.

2001 Agile Project Management

This approach is designed manage complex software projects. It puts emphasis on adaptive planning and flexible response to change.

2006 Total Cost Management

The AACE creates a framework to control and reduce costs. This approach is used in all areas of a company including project management.

2008 Advent of SaaS-Based Project Management

SaaS-based apps start becoming popular providing freat flexibility to project managers and their teams.

2009 In-Demand Skill

U.S.News selects "project management" among the top five skills need to get a good job.

2010 Cloud Becomes Popular

Cloud-based systems start gaining popularity providing anytime, anywhere access. As a result, more companies start using virtual project teams.

2012 Mobile Apps

The advent of mobile apps helps users to access project management software on the go.

2016 Internet of Things

As a result of this trend, project management software vendors would need to develop their products to meet customer demand for new hardware and software testing techniques, new development toools and better cyber security measures.

Future of Project Management

Project plans and requirements will becomes leaner, more visual, and updated consistently with more learning.
Projects managers will welcome changes that add value.
Projects will become smaller, simpler, and more manageable, with lesser number of features.
Project success will be determined by the value gained by the customer and the company's earned profits.