The short answer is yes. Between a stack of paper and powerful software, project managers are definitely better off with Project manager tools. Not all project management tools, however, are created equal. Some are ideal for long-term collaborative projects, while many others lack crucial features that help teams seamlessly work together.
The right project management software can help you manage your projects; the inferior one can delay rather than speed up project completion. Also, no matter how good Project manager tools are, they are only as good as the people using them. So the question you should really be asking is: how would I know which project management software suits my team?
What Makes Project Manager Tools Effective?
There are factors that make a project management software effective. Before we go through each of them, it’s important that you have already started with your needs analysis. Survey your team and evaluate goals, both individual and collective. Don’t get started with project management technology until you’ve established clear goals. When you’re ready, here are some factors you should pay attention to when choosing software for your team.
Project Manager Tools and Collaboration
Project manager tools are designed for collaboration. How easy is it to collaborate with your team using a particular piece of software? You can easily spot tools with robust collaboration features by looking at two areas: communication and organization. Ideal Project management tools enhance communication by allowing seamless information sharing and detailed reports and status updates.
Project Manager Tools and Cloud Technology
Almost everyone, from tech-savvy entrepreneurs to mobile knowledge workers, swear by cloud technology. It’s the same technology that runs your favourite web-based apps such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and a slew of social CRM tools. Cloud or web-based Project manager tools are accessible from any device with an Internet connection. This is an invaluable feature for managing geographically-dispersed teams.
User Interface for Project Manager Tools
A familiar and user-friendly interface is crucial since it easily allows users to navigate through the system, with less need for training. Project manager tools that work from inside Microsoft Outlook, for instance, have the added advantage of familiarity and ease of use.
Scheduling with Project Manager Tools
Can you keep track of your project’s progress using the software? An ideal project management platform alerts your team to upcoming deadlines and actionable items. Both of these are crucial for staying on schedule and completing tasks on or before the deadline.
A highly efficient project management tool also lets managers see what specific tasks has been completed and by whom, and tasks that still need to be done.
However there’s only so much software can do. While it can undoubtedly juggle several tasks at once, it’s no substitute for effective project managers and team members.