Frequently Asked Questions

Can I download and buy an electronic version of Project KickStart?
What is the current build date of Project KickStart?
How is Project KickStart different from other project management software programs?
How much project management does Project KickStart do?
Who is Project KickStart for?
What types of projects can you plan with it?
What reports does Project KickStart produce?
Can you print a Gantt chart on one page?
What software does Project KickStart export to?
Can you install Project KickStart on a network?
Can you use a Purchase Order to buy Project KickStart?
Can you install it on two computers, say a laptop and a desktop?
How does the Trial Version work?
How do you get an Activation Code for the Trial Version?
How do you upgrade to Version 4.0?
What are the System Requirements?

Can I download and buy an electronic version of Project KickStart?

Yes. The fastest way to get Project KickStart is to order a Download copy. You get it immediately and, under the License Agreement, you can install it on your work, home and laptop computers.

If you already downloaded the Trial Version, you can use the Online order form in the Trial. When your order is accepted, the software is automatically unlocked on that computer.

What is the current build date of Project KickStart 4?

The current build date of Project KickStart 4.0: May 23, 2008

How is Project KickStart different from other project management software?

Project KickStart takes the frustration out of starting a new project. It steps you through a thinking process that makes thinking up the tasks of a project fast and easy. When you do this up front thinking, you'll find that your project goes faster and smoother. Nothing is left out. Project KickStart is a stand-alone application that you can use to brainstorm, plan, schedule, and manage projects. With the new "done" column you can mark tasks as they are completed. It can manage small and medium-sized projects from start to finish.

Project KickStart also links to project management programs, such as Microsoft Project and other Microsoft Office Applications like Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. It also links with MindManager and ACT!.

Even if you develop your project in Project KickStart, you may value bringing the project data into one of these other programs. For instance, in Word, you can prepare a proposal based on your project plan. Excel can be used to estimate costs. The link to PowerPoint users to quickly make presentations based on their Project KickStart plans.

Project KickStart's links don't take away from its value as a stand-alone program. They provide additional options to extend your thinking and enhance your communication about your project.

How much project management does Project KickStart do?

For small to medium sized projects, many customers tell us that Project KickStart is an excellent fit for all their project management needs. Our program utilizes a unique project planning wizard that guides you through all your project planning phases, including developing a task list, assigning resources and scheduling tasks.

From that point, as your project gets under way, you can alter any aspect of the project to change resources, dates, or to enter costs, start or finish dates, etc.

We do have a minority of customers that have larger or more complex projects which need advanced functionality such as dependencies, multi-project files, or further cost tracking. In these few cases, customers use Project KickStart and then export to Microsoft Project.

Download our free trial here to see if there’s a good fit.

Who is Project KickStart for?

Project KickStart is for anyone with a project to plan -- company presidents, managers, consultants, entrepreneurs, educators. Whether you're a seasoned project management professional or new to the process, Project KickStart helps you quickly develop the structure for any new project.

The majority of our customers are sole proprietors, small and medium sized businesses. We are also proud to have larger coporations as customers including: Hewlett-Packard, Cisco Systems, Sodexho Marriott, US Dept. of Education, Chase Manhattan Bank, United Way and others.

What types of projects can you plan with it?

You name it.

Install a new computer system
Launch a product or service
Start or expand a business
Organize an event of any size
Develop marketing campaigns
Write proposals, business plans
Reduce costs, increase productivity
And much, much more!

What reports does Project KickStart produce?

Project KickStart 4 produces limitless presentation-quality reports through its own Report Generator. You can specify the columns of your report and the data you want to see. Some of the reports are:

Tasks & Assignments

Assumptions: (phases, goals, people, and obstacles in your project)

Tasks & Notes
Tasks, Assignments & Notes
Assignments by People
Gantt Chart report (Takes as much space as needed. Cannot shrink to fit on one page.)

Can you print a Gantt chart on one page?

Generally no. The Gantt chart in Project KickStart 4 takes as many pages as it needs to produce a printed report. If you have many tasks or your project spans a long time period, it will not be able to fit on a single page. Here are some things you can adjust to try to fit on a single page:

adjust paper size from letter to legal
set orientation to landscape
set time scale to months, quarters, or years
narrow width of task name column

What software does Project KickStart export to?

Project KickStart exports to Microsoft Office applications and to other popular software, including:

Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Project
WBS Chart
Word
Excel
MindManager
Microsoft PowerPoint
ACT!

Can you install Project KickStart on a network?

You can install Project KickStart on a network for each person licensed to use it. You must install Project KickStart on each work station.

When you are asked where to install the files, specify a folder on the network drive. (Some files will also be copied to the \Windows\System folder on the work station. Also, there will be registry entries on the work station, noting the location of important files and program parameters.)

Then, when each user runs Project KickStart from their work station, they will be able to open up prx files on the network and will have access to shared Libraries.

Can you use a Purchase Order to buy Project KickStart?

We accept standard purchase orders from US organizations of 25 or more employees. You can enter your mailing information on our online order form. Then, fax the PO to 510-644-3823 or mail to Experience In Software, 2029 Durant Ave. Berkeley, CA 94704. Terms: Net 30. F.O.B. Berkeley CA. Our Federal Tax ID is: 94-2921446.

Can you install it on two computers - say a laptop and a desktop?

Our policy is that we are licensing a brain, that is, yours. Seriously, you can install PKS on two computers that you use at different times/places. But, you cannot install it within the license on other people's computers. You can obtain additional licenses from www.projectkickstart.com.

How does the Trial Version work?

The Trial Version gives you 20 days to try out Project KickStart. The 20-day period starts the first time you run the trial version. The only limitation is that in most reports you can only print one page or that the printing has a "watermark". If you like Project KickStart (and we're sure you will), you can purchase a copy. Then, you'll immediately be able to open your files and print out your reports. You can download our Free trial here.

How do you get an Activation Code for the Trial Version?

You can obtain your Activation Code as follows:

Start the Project KickStart trial.
If you have not purchased your License Key yet, click the Buy button to purchase online.
If you have purchased a License Key, click the Activate button and copy and paste the License Key that you received when you purchased Project KickStart, as well as your name and email.
You must be connected to the Internet, and you must tell your Firewall to allow communication for PKS4Kickstart.exe.

How do you upgrade to Version 4?

Registered users of Project KickStart 1, 2, and 3 can upgrade to Version 4. Go to the Upgrade page on the Project KickStart web site.

Purchase an upgrade at customer-only prices.

Install Version 4.0 on your computer, using the defaults on where it installs. (Do not install it "over" a prior version of Project KickStart.)

You do not need to have Ver. 1, 2, or 3 installed on your computer to install Ver. 4.

System Requirements

Windows Me / NT / 2000 / XP / Vista
128 MB RAM, 30MB free disk space
Project KickStart may be installed on a network