When taking the plunge to take on Project Management Software there are those obvious questions, but with the growing market of this type of software, we have a few new ones for you to consider.
Having a software platform that will assist you in project managing is the done thing nowadays, no matter your industry. There are just too many parts and players involved to allow a project to run willy-nilly into the sunset.
So, before you take on that new and fandangled PM Software, make sure you ask these pertinent questions. They may just save you from much grief and disappointments down the line.
Taking on PM Software can be looked at as if you were taking on a Project Manager. The questions you need to ask will be similar and then also quite different.
So, let us interview your possible new PM Software:
Question 1 -Is the PM Software compatible with my other platforms?
This is a very relevant question and one that should be taken seriously. Every business has a platform or a few platforms that they run their business from, whether it be a communication platform for emails and messaging, or an accounting platform or even a manufacturing platform.
If you need the new PM Software to integrate with all or one of these platforms then you need to ask this question upfront.
Question 2 -Is the PM Software expandable?
And in this we mean can the software expand with your business growth. As a new business your projects may start out small and you may only need a low key PM software scope.
But, as you grow so must your software platform.
Find out whether it can expand and to what degree. In addition, find out what the costs are involved for a possible expansion or upgrade down the line.
Question 3 -Can the PM Software generate reports?
As with all projects you should be analyzing and post-partum checking your work.
With good PM Software you should be able to generate reports that don’t only give you the breakdown of each project but also allow you to analyze and see where you made errors, as well as where you excelled and out did yourself.
Extra Tip: For Microsoft Project using teams, Seavus Project Viewer, a project viewer tool can cover all predefined reports in Microsoft Project, as well as customizable ones.
Question 4 -Is the PM Software Mobile?
In todays world of “the slowest are left behind” or “out of sight, out of mind” a software platform that is mobile is paramount.
One cannot and shouldn’t be sitting at ones desk and computer in order to see where a project is at any given time.
Being able to access the software platform remotely can save you tons and in the end give you one up on your competitors.
Question 5 -Can the PM Software assist with the Project Budgeting?
While you need to have all your ducks in a row when it comes to how the money will best be spread for the project, a good PM Software package will assist here too.
Specific budgeting processes within the software can save you much time and money.