Issues and Requirements of Project Management Software
Although most businesses use project managment software to streamline their project devolopment, there is a common consensus that a successful project manager does well not because of his software, but in spite of it. Some even claim that project management software is useless, quoting the many thousands spent on it for not very much of a ROI.
However, project management software is a tool, and like any other tool, it must be used effectively by the user. A screwdriver, regardless of its quality, will not drive a screw by itself. Also, some project management tools are greatly superior to others, either because they are more focussed toward a particular task or simply allow a more vast range of processes or data collection. In order to be successful, project managers must remember that project management software is nothing more that a useful tool, it is not a cure all panacea for any problem.
One of the features that is essential within project management software is accessibility, it’s no good having an immensely powerful desktop based platform if you cannot access it from home when there is a problem. For this reason I would recommend an agile web based platform that you can access from anywhere with an internet connection. Some web based applications even have mobile support, so you can manage your project from your smartphone.
An important thing to remember is that, for a manager, 80% of the job is communication. Therefore it is useful to consider a project management tool with a collaborative slant, allowing team members to post encouragement or criticism of each others work and chat about what needs to be done. A manager who can quickly see if a project is running of track or if an employee is not on schedule with a necessary task will have the advantage of acting on issues before they arrive rather than reacting to them when it’s already too late. Speed and accuracy of information is essential to maintain this advantage.
Problems can arise when the software goes too far in making suggestions or predictions and presenting a variety of mystifying options. This can sidetrack the project manager and lead them to get lost in the software, even to lose sight of the project goals. Though the suggestions may be valid and the options may provide flexibility, when overdone this can lead to confusion. Effective project management software should provide the tools for data collection, analysis and distribution, it should not take over these taks completely or attempt to “guesstimate” the best course of action where human input is needed. The best project management tools are intuitive and easy to use but still offer enough options to be applied to any type of job.
Yet another difficulty with most project management tools that even skilled project managers will be frustrated with is lack of software integration. I know of only one project management application that is fully integrated with both a sales and CRM program and a helpdesk solution. Regardless of how good individual applications are at completing a given task, when they fail to integrate with common or existing data it can be a complete nightmare, requiring several identical databases and wasting valuable time.
The best software I have found for project management and small business management in general is Tree.io. This software integrates a powerful project management tool with CRM and service support software. It enables your employees to chat to each other in real time, share and edit documents and includes tools such as a calendar, reports, accounting and interactive Gantt charts. Tree.io is available in several different languages and features very competitive pricing. Why not visit the website at www.tree.io and sign up for your indefinite free trial now. After all, the right project management software, while it should not be expected to replace effective management or decision making, it can ensure that time is being spent in the most efficient manner.
And time, after all, is money
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