Project management software is used for project planning, resource distribution, and change management. It is used by project managers (PMs), investors, and users to manage costs and document costing.
These are the functions that project management software should provide:
Project Planning
Work Breakdown Structure and Task Management
Allocation of Resources
Calendar and Contact Sharing
Time and cost tracking
Document sharing and collaboration
Bug and Error Management
This article outlines a four-step process to choose the right project management software.
Step 1: Identify the tasks
Implementing project management software is not the same thing as implementing it. It is important to know what you are trying accomplish. This can be achieved by identifying two to three key problems and then creating a few key business cases to help you solve them. A vendor who is experienced can help you create business cases. The work plan should be created to guide you in managing the project. These questions will help you choose the right software.
What is software used for?
What problem can this software solve?
What features and functions do you need?
What type of projects and resources will you manage with the tool’s help?
Which options are best to explore, open source or commercially supported?
Step 2: Make a list.
There are four main categories for project management software. Then, choose the right tool category and create a list.
Software for individual projects: This is a tool that can be purchased to help manage individual projects
Software that is already in use: MS Excel can be used to facilitate project management.
Medium-sized systems are used by small and medium-sized businesses. They have some of the same features as high-end systems, but not all the complexity.
High-end systems are systems that are specifically designed for large organizations for central project management.
Step 3: Implementation assessment
Once you have a list of software tools in hand, you can start the evaluation process. Identify the requirements of your project.
Ask your vendor for a feature list.
Tell the vendor your key requirements and goals and get their recommendations.
Ask for a personal demonstration.
Download a trial version for a product to test it out and then go through the business cases. This will allow you to get a hands-on assessment.
Ask for a written proposal and details.
Remember to consider recurring maintenance and support expenses.
Step 4: Make a selection
Select the system that best suits your needs. It is useful to create a matrix of all the systems, with relevant statistics about each system. The project team then makes the final recommendation to the purchasing or procurement department. They then do the contract negotiation and legal detail.
Conclusion
It is crucial to choose the right software for your project planning. Make sure to do as much research as possible and get feedback from others who have used them or are using them.
It is possible to purchase and implement project management software. This is a powerful tool that can help your company work more efficiently and in a more structured way.
Software for Project Management
If you’re interested in learning more about top rated project management software, the editors at Project-Management.com actively recommend the following:
