For project managers, running a project requires being in control of every aspect of development: from project planning to resource allocation. It’s why projects need a great project management software that can streamline your progress.
Generally, good project management software allows the team working on the project to communicate and work together on the platform. Having the team on this software will provide transparency to upper management and stakeholders.
If you’re a project manager, using a great project management software will allow you to optimize your team’s abilities and the resources available to you. Read on to learn more about what you need to look for in a project management application.
How to select a great project management software
- List your needs – It’s crucial to make an honest assessment of what you’ll be needing from the software.
A good start would be asking yourself what problems you have currently and how it slows down your progress. Are you having scheduling problems? Get a project management software that’s good at task management and resource allocation. Do you have a big team, and you’re having problems tracking your progress? Get project management software with project schedule tracking and reports. By knowing what you need, you can narrow down the list of project management software you’re considering.
It’s also vital to think about the additional features that can be useful for your project. Understand which features you need and which ones you don’t. Also, make sure to check if there are any compliance requirements. You also need to ensure that it supports your project management methodology, so you won’t have to make massive changes to how you work.
Another consideration is who will use the project management software. If it’s an in-house project, a project management software with a less formal approach might be a better choice. However, if you accept projects from clients, you’re better off looking professional with a formal approach. If you have a small team, consider a simple project management software. However, if you’re managing a large team, you might want to look into ERP software.
- Get started with your list of choices – Once you have assessed your needs, you need to start looking for options. It’s all about searching for project management software that fits your needs. If it’s your first time, or even if it’s not, you can ask other managers for recommendations. You can also try searching the internet. Try to look at as many as you can. After you’ve come up with a few options, it’s time to narrow the list down.
Choose the options that fit your needs best and narrow it down to a handful of providers. After that, consider how much it would cost to implement every project management software. It’s vital to choose one that will fit your needs but will still fit your budget. Make sure it doesn’t cost too much and make sure that it fits your methodology.
- Try the software and see how they fit your needs – To make sure that the project management software actually suits your needs and not just on paper, try to get your hands on a demo version of the software.
You can do this by contacting project management software providers and asking for a demo, so you can see how the system works for yourself. Generally, providers are welcoming of clients asking for free trials. Most of the time, they provide interested parties with a trial account.
Once you have the demo, try to emulate the work you’ll do on the software. While doing this, your clients and team members need to see it, too, so they can provide feedback regarding your choice. They are the ones who’ll be using the system, so it’s essential to get their opinion.
After the demo of all your choices, you can create a scoring system that will allow your team to evaluate each application, so you can know which software your team wants.
Also, you don’t want the project’s and your client’s data getting exposed in public, so make sure that it should have good data security. It won’t just compromise your project, but it will also compromise your image and the trust of your clients and stakeholders.
- Evaluate the costs – Each project management software comes at different price ranges. Typically, the more advanced the software is, the more expensive it is. Small project management software can cost hundreds of dollars. But, if you require ERP solutions, you may need to shell out thousands of dollars.
Furthermore, you also have to consider the payment options. Do you want a subscription or one that’s based on trimestrial payments? Also, don’t forget to consider the implementation and adoption costs.
- Implementation – After selecting a project management software, the next thing you’ll have to deal with is the implementation phase.
Make sure to plan how you can show your team how to use your new project management software through meetings and training sessions. Also, don’t forget to complete all necessary integrations and documents for your new solution.
Once everything is set up, you can lead your team to perform more effectively and efficiently by optimizing your processes through the new software.
Project management software has been raising the bar in terms of team performance for various companies in different fields. If you’re looking for a way to improve your team’s progress, but you’re not sure where to start, here’s a great project management software to pique your interest.