THE SIMPLEST ONLINE DATABASE that could possibly work. Part database, part web site, a wiki is unique in the sense that it allows a group of people to build, edit and modify a website with no programming or HTML whatsoever. Some wikis can even be contained within a single html page and do not even require a web server. Due to their simplicity, wikis are very easy to learn and use.

Example of a wiki customized for use as a project management tool. 

Wikis are appealing as a project management tool because they are not burdened by any predefined structure or requirements—a wiki is completely flexible. To make it valuable, it has to contribute to some goal or fulfill some need of the people using it. This is practically guaranteed by the fact that the people who are using it are the same people who are creating it.

Normally websites are generated as the end result of a process. Information is gathered, presented to a gatekeeper (i.e. webmaster) and then published as a finished product. In contrast, wikis begin as a blank slate waiting for content to be added by a subject matter expert. This is perfect for project teams who need to quickly and easily share information in real-time.

Wikis are a great place to consolidate pertinent project information that flows from other resources. Instead of having information stored in various disparate locations such as within emails and documents, on web sites, and in network folders, etc. a wiki can direct you to everything from a single location.

Here are a few of the many uses for a project wiki:

•To do lists
•Conversations or a forum for asking and answering questions
•Meeting agendas & notes
•Project Plan and related documents
•Task assignments
•Group announcements
•Document preparation
•Interacting with clients
•Status Reports
•Contact Information
•Links to: other wiki contents, documents, network folders, internet and intranet sites, etc.
• As many more things as you can think of.

Tags allow users to easily categorize similar project information into accessible groupings.

Tagging is another feature of wikis that allows you to easily categorize content. Think of a tag as a simple category name. Users can categorize their information with any tag that makes sense to them and their project team. Tags provide an easy way to find information stored within the wiki.

Another defining element of wikis is the ability to view recent changes made to the wiki. Most wikis have a "timeline" or “recent changes” view that displays what changes have been made and when. This feature makes it easy to keep up with the changes occurring across the site. In some systems, email and/or Rich Site Summary (RSS) can be used to alert members of changes.

The project management wiki pictured in this article is available here. To download a copy simply right-click this link and choose "Save As.." or "Save Link As.."
The wiki shown in this article is Monkey Pirate TiddlyWiki by Simon Baird, which is based on TiddlyWiki by Jeremy Ruston.
List of free and paid wiki hosts

Wiki 101
Wiki Tools
How to use wikis in business
Working together with wikis

Mike Taylor,

Taylor, M. (2005). Using a wiki as a project management tool. In B. Hoffman (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Educational Technology. Retrieved July 15, 2010