Tips for Choosing the Right Project Management Software
Project management software can increase your company’s odds of project success. These solutions simplify information gathering and sharing, as well as task tracking, communication, collaboration, and more. Many even assist with budget management, which is a boon in many cases.
Whether you’re one of the 33.2 million American small businesses and want your first solution or are among the 35% of organizations that aren’t satisfied with their current project management maturity and need a capable solution, choosing the correct one is essential. Here are some tips for choosing the right project management software.
Identify Team Challenges
Each project management software solution offers a unique set of features and capabilities. As a result, their ability to address specific team challenges varies. For example, some may outperform others when it comes to creating schedules, while others are better for collaboration. As mentioned above, some may have budget management tools, though others may not include that feature.
Since that’s the case, it’s critical to know precisely what the project management software needs to solve. Once you understand your team’s needs, it’s easier to focus on solutions that cover the required bases.
Set a Budget
As with most software, the cost of a project management solution varies depending on the one you select. Finding one that’s suitably capable but also affordable is an essential part of the equation. By setting a budget before you start searching for solutions, you can limit the ones you consider to those you can genuinely afford, ensuring you don’t waste time reviewing options that you can’t implement due to budgetary constraints.
Consider Scalability
While your initial needs may be modest, it’s wise to consider scalability when choosing project management software. You might want to expand the use of the program once you’ve implemented the solution, allowing you to get more value from the system and support a broader array of project needs. Consider potential future uses and factor in whether the software can handle them should you move in that direction. By doing so, you reduce the odds of choosing a solution that won’t grow with you.
Research Options
As with all major business purchases, it’s wise to research all of your viable options. Along with checking the feature sets and overall capabilities, look into customer satisfaction rates, particularly when it comes to service after the sale. Knowing that the customer support experience is solid can bring plenty of peace of mind, as you can count on getting what you need if you run into issues.
Do Trial Runs
Often, it’s challenging to determine if any project management software application will suit your needs without trying it out first-hand. Fortunately, many leading providers do offer some form of free or no-risk trial.
Preferably, you want to speak with project management software solution providers to request full-featured trials. Trials that only give you access to a limited feature set prevent you from thoroughly evaluating the solution, which isn’t ideal. As a result, it’s wise to favor products that you can explore in-depth before you commit, ensuring they’ll do everything you need.
