Tools

Tools are the software and systems the project uses to deliver its work, such as a requirements database, a document management system, a design package or a scheduling tool. Recording them shows what each activity relies on, who looks after each tool, and where to find it.

A tool's details

• Supplier: who provides it.
• Responsible role: the role that looks after it on the project.
• Purpose: what the project uses it for.
• Support: how to get help with it.
• Access URL and Documentation URL: links to the tool itself and its documentation.

Adding tools

You can add tools from an activity or from the Tools tab.

From an activity: open the activity's details in edit mode. Under its tools, choose an existing tool and Add to link it, or type a name and Create to add a new one. A new tool is linked straight away and shows Add details, so you can fill in the rest later. You can add several in a row.

From the Tools tab (under Activities): in edit mode, choose Add Tool. The tab lists every tool with its supplier, responsible role, the activities that use it, and its links. Open a tool to edit its details or to link and unlink activities.

Click a tool anywhere it's listed to open its details.

Health Check

Activities use tools lists activities with no tools. It's a suggestion only and never counts towards the issue total (see Health Check).

Where tools appear

• The Tools tab, and the details of each activity that uses them
• The PDF Export and Management Plan (see Offline copies)

The Tools tab isn't included on every plan.