As usual Joe is right on target with this article.  He explains why MS Project sucks for software projects (it's meant to manage construction of buildings not software) and why Excel is the most complicated tool you need to create a good software schedule.  I believe the SCRUM process also uses spreadsheets.  I had a colleague who was big on the SCRUM process and it seemed very promising in that it let the developer plan the work without a dog and pony show.

http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/fog0000000245.html

I've often wondered if you could prove that the speadsheet is one of the most valuable pieces of technology ever, perhaps behind the hand calculator, email and the word processor.