PPM Tools Designed for Humans

 

I noticed a recent blog on the PMI site from Saira Karim, called ‘Use Project Management Tools in the Right Context’. Saira started her post with the following:

“Recently I came across an ad for a project management technology application. It was a picture of seven robots in a group, which symbolized humans. The slogan read, “If your team looked like this, any PPM solution would work.”

Interestingly, that’s a Daptiv ad she noticed in the PMI magazine. Saira continues:

“It made me wonder how many organizations actually believe that technology applications do the work and produce results — not humans.

How many organizations and project managers sufficiently analyze their project needs and the compatibility of new technology to their organizations’ existing set-up and processes?

Companies often buy expensive project management applications and then force teams to conform and adapt to the application rather than customize the application to the needs of the people and project.

But buying applications because other organizations use them does not by default mean you, too, will become a leader.

Like with best practices, experience has taught me that technology and tools are valuable — but only if they fill gaps and needs effectively.

Technology is important and can increase efficiency, but in the correct setting and context. Projects are planned and executed by people — therefore technology must complement and be understood by the humans who use it.

Before investing in new project management applications, you must consider things like training, costs and your team members’ willingness to use the tools. Otherwise it could amount to an expensive burden.”

Saira’s post is a great articulation of the importance of the need for tools that adapt to your organization’s business needs. Combining a flexible tool with a PPM roadmap that is improves maturity in successive steps is the key to PPM success.

Have you had experience with tool implementations that have failed (or succeeded)? What are your keys to success?