How to Choose Project Management Software
From the The Professional Project Manager Blog
by Sean Whitaker
This series of articles examines, and offers insights and opinions, on all aspects of the profession of project management. I welcome your comments, feedback, support or dissent. I am passionate about the profession of project management and if, through our discussion, we can add value to the profession and practitioners then I am happy.
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Choosing Project Management Software
I often get asked to help assist organizations chose new project management software. It can be a large investment for any organization and if you get it right you will exponentially improve your chances of project success. I could talk for ages about this and there just seems to be more and more project engagement software hitting the market every month (over 250 at last count). In the interests of making a complicated topic far too simple, here are my top 5 tips for making sure you get the right software:
1. First, are you sure you need new software? Check your existing software and licenses. There is a chance you already have the capability to do what you want.
2.The one thing they all have in common is that the sales people will promise you that their software will do anything you want it to. Don't believe them. Ask for a previous client that has done the install and go and meet the client without the sales rep present so you can get honest answers to your questions.
3. Internalize support for the software. If you don't do this you will have to put together a small business case and find funds each time you want to make changes to the software. The best examples I have seen of software contributing to a companies success is when there is internal technical assistance to make changes and training people.
4. Make sure you develop a comprehensive list of requirements from all users and stakeholders so you know exactly what you need. Document any and all existing pieces of software that the new software will need to integrate with.
5.Prepare comprehensive user training sessions and treat the installation like a change management project.
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Posted on: November 23, 2019 10:22 PM |
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Comments (5)
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Luis Branco
CEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, Ldª
Carcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Dear Sean
Interesting These 5 Tips On Choosing A Project Management Software
I would add a sixth tip:
- Be aware of what happens in the market.
There are situations where project management software proposals are disruptive and increasingly approach our needs for planning and gathering relevant information for project performance monitoring and, consequently, for support in the decision making process. decision
Drew Craig
Sr. Agile & Product Coach| Vanguard
Philadelphia, Pa, United States
Thank you, Sean. I'm always surprised this is not common knowledge. Projects kick-off because someone woke up one day with an idea. The org brings new capabilities in without a business case or looping in any other groups; Enterprise Architecture, Vendor Management, Compliance, IT.
In addition to your points, I'd add scalability and sustainability. Needs are fleeting. Ensure the chosen solution can support any growth; for example, integrations with new systems.
Thank you Sean.
Andrew raised a good point scalability. Maybe a project management tool fits perfectly for the technology department (as Jira) and doesn't make any sense for the product development team, or marketing.
Generally I saw that Tech team choose their tool, and try to engage the other departments without understanding the needs of the other potential users in the organization.
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