There are a lot of options available out there whenever it comes to organizing your work or projects in your business. Use of apps is a great way of organizing your business and personal workload. This is why businesses are recommended to make use of project management software’s as it enables communication and collaboration. When you use the right tool in managing your business the it will have a positive impact and bring success to your business.
Use of spreadsheets
One of the most popular solution for project managers is the use of spreadsheets. It does a good trick for small teams or teams that share a physical location. They will do a great job for a while however when things get bulky and messy then you will need the help of a project management software that is dedicated for that kind of job.
Why project management software
Project management software assist with the running of every aspect of the project from planning, scheduling, resource management, cost control to reporting. In addition, it creates a high level of transparency among shareholders and team members.
Project managers make use of project management software’s in that it helps them get organized from the start to the end of a project. It allows them to get a good grip of what should happen during that time, when, who and how it should happen.
The project management software basically allows project managers to centralize all their work and project related activities in one place. This gives them control and helps them to get organized. Using the right tools, one is able manage projects quite easily.
Selecting the right project management software
Due to the complex nature of diverse projects there is no project management software that is a perfect fit for all. Below are some steps that will help you get the best for your business.
Outline your needs
You will need to have a clear and honest assessment of your needs. The first thing that you need to do is to make sure that your team is ready to take on a new solution. For instance, in case you already have a project management software in place then you will need to identify how it complicates your processes. Where does it go off from your desired needs? You will need the kind of project management software that will help you in streamlining task and resource allocation.
You also need to identify what you need in a new solution. Make sure that you make a list of all the features that your team needs. Identify the ones that are a must have and those that you should have as well as those that you could have so as to better understand the importance of each feature. Also factor in whether you need customization options. Make an accurate inventory of all the things that you need and check if there are any compliance requirements.
You will also need to factor in who will be using the project management software. Do you have internal or external stakeholders? Project management require a less formal approach. however, in the case where you are working with diverse clients then you will need to look for professionals to roughly estimate the team size. Small teams can make use of a simple solution while a larger team will need a more sophisticated solution.
There is a project management solution for almost any business. We have seen them used in businesses such as adult forum websites like usasexguide to dating apps and many other businesses that have very different workflow demands.
Look for alternatives
Once you have a clear understanding of all your requirements then it is time to start your search. You will need to look for service providers that are able to match your needs. Ask for recommendations from other project managers or even look in trade magazines, specialty reviews and search engines. The more you look the higher your chances of not overlooking any potential match. Once you have a strong list of providers then you will be required to narrow down your search to the best providers. Consider the type of technology and how much it will cost you.
Test drive and evaluate the software
This might be the hardest part since this is the part where you get to actually try out the project management software to see how it is able to match your needs. Make sure that you contact different project management software providers for demos. They are goo way to find out if the project management software is able to match your needs. The free trials are quite popular with service providers and you only get a chance to try a limited account.
When test driving it is highly recommended that you mimic real world problems that you have in your business. Make sure that you involve all stakeholders which includes clients as well as team members. Accuracy when it comes to evaluation is very important as it will tell you how good of a system it is.
Evaluate cost
Before you make your final decision, you will need to consider the cost of different project management providers. There are project management software’s which are way cheaper than other project management software’s. make sure that you evaluate the best cost based on your needs and complexity of the software as well as the benefits it will bring to your business.
Whenever you are weighing the cost it might be a good idea to check implementation and adoption cost. Just in case a solution takes a very long time then the benefits might be null. Make sure that the choice that you select blends with your team’s communication and collaboration style.
Implementation
Even if you have selected and signed to a project management software provider then know that the process is not over yet. It is not just meant for the project managers but for the entire team. Make sure that you outline a plan that shows how the team will be able to use the new solution. In addition, make sure that you have all the necessary tools that you will require in the integration as well as all the documentation.
