Are the project management tools “wagging the dog”?

Discussion title:

Are the project management tools “wagging the dog”?

 

Discussion details:

I was able to run software development agile projects using Clarity/OpenWorkbench, a planning/PPM application from the same family with MS Project and Primavera; this approach is sometimes ridiculed... However, I had to find a way of executing agile projects in a Waterfall-oriented PMO environment. I used effort-based planning, using the least dependencies possible among tasks (if any), assigning priorities to task, using resource assignments (and reassignments), and leveraging the auto-scheduling tool’s capability (resource leveling in MS Project). This approach offered an amazing flexibility, allowing me to run iterations, while helping me to forecast, and respect the higher-level PMO constraints.

 

If we consider that we should choose and adjust the development project management processes to the given environmental context/forces, it would be great to have support from a project management tool that is capable of handling/scheduling the whole spectrum of activities with respect of various constraints: using progressive elaboration, attached to a periodic cycle, time constraints, interdependencies (or not), etc.

1. Do you know any tool that can handle the spectrum of activity constraints mentioned above?
2. Do you feel that sometimes the tool existing in your company/department/team is limiting/forcing the choice of project management processes (wagging the dog)?

 

LinkedIn links to this discussion topic:

The Project Manager Network - #1 Group for Project Managers

http://lnkd.in/b2HuyBe