Estimating Costs and Allocating Resources

Introduction

There are numerous resources and tools to aid project managers in managing the project tasks successfully.  Some of these resources are free of cost and some are not, but they are all very valuable.  I researched multiple resources on the Web and I found three websites that have outstanding and useful tools for project management. 

PM Docs website http://www.projectmanagementdocs.com/

This website provides project managers with project management resources and templates based on the PMBOK guide to satisfy the requirements of successful managing of projects.  These resources can be customized to fit any project need as well as any organization.  The resources and tools available are 100% free and the page is very easy to navigate.  For instance, if you need to find information or a template for activity duration, just write these words in the search area on the top right side of the page and click search; a new window will open with multiple links that give you access to the documents you need. 

Mind Tools http://www.mindtools.com/pages/main/newMN_PPM.htm

This website includes project management tools and provides more than 50 project management skills.  In addition, you can explore the key areas of project management and it also includes the necessary tools with samples and templates to manage projects effectively.  This website is also very easy to navigate.  For example, if you need to find information about estimating costs and effort, just write the words of what you need on the search area located at the top right side of the page and a new window will open showing various links that provide the requested information. 

Project Management for Development Organizations PM4DEV http://www.pm4dev.com/home.html

This last website offers a list of resources, books, articles, and interactive courses online.  I believe that this website is an outstanding resource to find detailed information about project management processes and phases. 

Closing

These three sites offer project management resources that could be used throughout the life cycle of any project from beginning to end.   These resources cover all the phases of a project: conceive, define, start, perform, and close (Portney, Mantel, Meredith, Shafer, Sutton, and Kramer, 2008).  In short, these resources are exceptional tools for project managers to be able to manage projects effectively and successfully. 

References

Portny, S. E., Mantel, S. J., Meredith, J. R., Shafer, S. M., Sutton, M. M. & Kramer, B. E.  (2008). Project management: Planning, scheduling, and controlling projects.  New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.