Comparative study of Critical Chain software solutions 

Comparative table of Critical Chain Project Management software

You'll find below a comparative study of different existing software solutions to manage your projects the Critical Chain Project Management (CCPM) way.
Please note that this study only includes a dozen vendors, therefore it represents a non exhaustive panel of the current software offering.
Moreover, this comparison is based on a restricted number of criteria, and thus doesn't intend to provide a complete analysis of the software features.

This study is aimed at giving an objective view of several software solutions to people wishing to implement Critical Chain Project Management, so they can get an initial idea of which solution best suits their situation.
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If you are a Critical Chain software vendor whose product doesn't appear in this study and you would like to, please contact us.

If you are a Critical Chain software vendor and your product already appears in the study but you would like to add comments please contact us so we can update the study accordingly.

 PDF file of the complet comparative study

Details and explanations of the criteria 

Number of references:
Number of customers that use the software. If it is an option then how many references are there for the CCPM module.

MS Project Compatibility:
Is the software an add-on of Microsoft Project? Is it possible to import MSP files / no compatibility / etc.? 

Project evaluation:
Is there a feature allowing the user to check if the WBS (Work Breakdown Structure) contains errors? (tasks without resources / successors / without durations / links with summary tasks / etc…)

Smart filters:
Are there features to filter out tasks: on the Critical Chain / backward or forward from a task / path between 2 tasks?

Customizable - creation of functions:
Does the software provider itself develop specific / tailor-made features at the request of users?
(If the answer is negative, it does not necessarily mean that it is impossible, but that the software editor does not do it, it will be up to the user to create a gateway / macro to achieve the functionality)

Creation of dashboards:
Is it possible to personalize and create directly in the tool different reports than the basic ones proposed, from existing information in the software

IS integration by the editor:
Is the editor completely responsible for integrating the tool into the user's IS?
(If the answer is negative, it does not necessarily mean that it is impossible, but that the software provider does not)

Non-project tasks:
Does the software allow you to have an exhaustive list of all the activities assigned to the resources, whether or not related to projects planned in the tool?

Hours and costs tracking:
The software allows resources to enter their activity "hour by hour" through a time sheet and permits to calculate the resources and the cost previously invested in the project, simply and automatically.

Resource management:
The software can manage resources (people, department, machines) but also skills, and can identify through the required skills to perform a task who could perform it.

Criteria present in the complete study in PDF format:

Customer Support:
If the user has a problem with the software: does a hotline exist? Is there an acknowledgement of the question / a reference number / confirmation of closing the issue? How quickly can a customer can expect an answer?  

Single-project / Multi-project:
Can the software schedule with CCPM rules a single project?
Is it possible to manage several projects with the software? Is there the possibility to stagger projects based on a portfolio capacity constraint or virtual drum?

Multiple endpoints:
In one project, you might want to track several endpoints, delivery of a prototype / of an important document / delivery of the first equipment/ etc…
Do all the endpoints finish at the same time (the end date of your project)? Can you prioritize the endpoints (I want this one to finish first, this one second, etc…)? Is it possible to have an exit buffer and a Fever Chart for all the endpoints?

Fever Chart:
Does the software generate a Fever Chart?

Program management:
In one project, you might want to track several endpoints, delivery of a prototype / of an important document / delivery of the first equipment/ etc…
Do all the endpoints finish at the same time (the end date of your project)? Can you prioritize the endpoints (I want this one to finish first, this one second, etc…)? Is it possible to have an exit buffer and a Fever Chart for all the endpoints?