(1) Software used to monitor the time and materials on a project. All tasks to complete the project are entered into the database, and the program computes the critical path, the series of tasks with the least amount of slack time. Any change in the critical path slows down the entire project.

(2) A person who keeps track of an information systems project either from inception to deployment or through a single stage. Project managers have varying levels of responsibilities and authority. See system development cycle and project leader.