Managing a project is a really tough job. You have to make critical decisions now and then while making sure that everything flows as smoothly as possible.
The immense responsibility of supervising a project from start to finish is no joke, and it can take its toll on anyone, even the pros. Luckily, project managers these days have access to project management templates that can help them carry out their tasks with improved efficiency.
With these pre-made templates, you no longer have to create records, charts, and registers from scratch. This will help you save time on the paperwork, so you can focus on the more critical aspects of the project you’re tasked to oversee.
By the way, do you know what the best part is? You can download most of them for free!
Check out some of our most recommended Excel project management templates below.
1. Gantt Chart Project Template
Ask any project manager out there, and they’ll tell you that Gantt Charts are some of the most valuable tools in their arsenal of Excel project management templates.
Excel Gantt Charts work like a traditional Gantt Chart, but more efficient. When you enter the project details into the spreadsheet, the template transforms the data into a cascading horizontal bar chart that you can sort according to categories like the level of priority or scheduled start and completion dates.
Because they’re in Excel format, the Gantt Chart also allows better interaction among team members for easier task-designation and tracking.
2. Project Tracker Template
In the process of completing a project, your members may want to double-check details or require access to relevant information – and sometimes, they need it ASAP. But what if you’re busy or unavailable? How do you make sure they get their hands on the data?
Well, you have the Project Tracker Template to hold all the information about your current project in one place. Don’t forget to grant all your team members and collaborators access to the spreadsheet, so they can find the deets they need in a snap.
But wait, there’s more! The template also lets you plan projects, designate tasks, allocate hours, arrange deadlines, and highlight urgent deliverables, among others. Yup, this one packs a punch!
3. Group Project Task List
The Group Project Task List is your go-to template when it comes to organizing and overseeing team projects. Use it to assign tasks to set task hierarchy, appoint target dates, and designate assignments to team members with ease.
Also, sharing the template with everybody involved in the project makes collaboration more convenient.
4. Project Timeline Template
Every project follows a specific timeline. Timelines give you a visual representation of the workflow, so it’s simpler for the team to grasp the bigger picture. Without one, it’ll be more challenging to track progress and foresee potential delays.
The Project Timeline template allows all the collaborators to plan, track, and manage the project in one location. Like all other Excel spreadsheets, it’s interactive. You can access the files wherever, whenever, and collaborate in real-time!
5. Work Breakdown Structure Template
Projects are typically made up of tasks and subtasks. What the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) template does is create an organized account of all the tasks within the project by breaking them down into smaller, more manageable deliverables. Doing so gives you and your team a clearer perspective on what was accomplished, what needs to be done, and which ones to prioritize.
The WBS template is a versatile tool that you can use throughout the different stages of the project – from planning to scheduling to budgeting.
6. Excel Project Budget Templates
What’s effective project management without proper fund allocation, right? Even the most well-defined plans are bound to fail if they’re without a solid budgeting strategy. Thankfully, you have Excel Budget templates to help manage your project’s finances.
The great thing about this particular set of budget templates is their versatility of use. It doesn’t matter what industry you’re in; these budgeting tools come in handy for all sorts of small and medium-scale projects.
Go on, give them a try!
About the Author
Anthony Stevens is the Content Specialist for Excel Templates, a resource for free Excel templates including calendars and charts. When not writing, he spends time building furniture and running with his dog.
