A project manager often uses multiple tools and techniques during a project. For effective implentation, a project manager must know when to use the correct tool and technique for the right reasons. Consider that several different tools and methods can be applied throughout the various project management processes.

Data Gathering tools and techniques are utilized when a project manager needs to solicit input from project stakeholders. A project manager can rely on one or more of the following:

• Market Research

• Benchmarking

• Questionnaires and Surveys

• Interviews

• Checklists

• Brainstorming

• Prompt Lists

Data Analysis tools and techniques are used when a project manager needs to do any in-depth analysis. A project manager can choose from the following:

• Cost-Benefit Analysis

• Alternatives Analysis

• Document Analysis

• What-If Analysis

• Trend Analysis

• Root Cause Analysis

• Simulation

• Performance Reviews

• SWOT Analysis

• Earned Value Analysis

• Assumptions and Constraints

• Variance Analysis

Data Representation tools and techniques are utilized when a project manager gathers and generates data from various sources for different purposes. Most likely, a project manager can communicate this data to other project stakeholders via these data representation methods:

• Text-Oriented Formats

• Affinity Diagrams

• Stakeholder Mappings and Representation

• Cause-and-Effect Diagrams

• Stakeholder Engagement Assessment Matrices (learn more click here)

• Scatter Diagrams

• Mind Mapping

• Flow Charts

• Logical Data Models

• Matrix Diagrams and Charts

• Histograms

• Probability and Impact Matrices

• Control Charts

• Hierarchical Charts

Decision-Making tools and techniques are frequently used by the project manager to aid them in decision making often with the assistance of the project team:

• Voting

• Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis

Communication tools and techniques are utilized when a project manager communicates with various stakeholders, which is a vital part of his role. A project manager can communicate by using the following methods:

• Meeting Management

• Communication Methods (learn more Effective Project Communications)

• Presentations

• Feedback

• Communication Technology

• Active Listening

Interpersonal and Team Skills are another essential part of a project manager's success. The following tools and techniques are vital for a project manager to keep in his tool kit:

• Negotiation (learn more The Five Negotiation Styles and Negotiating Basics (part 11) - Body Language)

• Conflict Management

• Motivation (learn more Motivational Quotes for Project Managers and Everyone Else (part 1 of 3)

• Team Building (learn more Developing the Project Team)

• Facilitation

• Emotional Intelligence

• Observation and Conversation

• Political Awareness

• Leading (learn more Project Management Leadership Styles)

• Decision Making

• Influencing

• Cultural Awareness

Estimating tools and techniques are essential for a project manager to use when he is leading estimating efforts for many aspects of the project, including making estimates for the schedule, costs, and resources:

• Expert Judgment

• Bottom-Up Estimating

• Analogous Estimating

• Top-Down Estimating

Project Management Information System (PMIS) is part of an organization’s project management information systems, which is part of its enterprise environmental factors (learn more What Are EEFs?) The PMIS includes automatic tools such as:

• Scheduling Software

• Configuration Management System

• Shared Workspaces for Storage Distribution

• Work Authorization Software

• Time Tracking Software

• Procurement Management Software

• Repositories for Historical Information

Expert Judgement is used to solicit expert information from industry consultants during a project. Expert Judgement is critical during the planning project management processes. 

Meetings are an effective way to get input or feedback from different people affected by the project. But organizations often overuse meetings. The project manager is responsible for scheduling meetings, selecting who should attend them, and determining if there is a more efficient way to achieve the meeting's objective.