Get Organized: How to Pick Project Management Software in 7 Steps

Uncover a detailed guide on how to select the best project management software that will empower your business with digital advantages

Out of all brick-and-mortar and online companies, those that use software tools appear to be more competitive and high-performing. The integration of smart tools with the business system usually allows companies to control all stages of project implementation and confront risks associated with human errors. The pace of work and efficiency are now regarded as two contributing factors to success. But in practice, the team faces a lot of barriers and impediments that may undermine the workflow and cause damage to the end product. For that reason, it is important to manage a team’s workload correctly and monitor the risks on a constant basis so that eventually the customer would be fully satisfied with the services delivered.

To use of project management software is a good solution for every business that struggles with project challenges or strives to mitigate the risks associated with project implementation. The multitude of software options on the market can make you baffled, though. Here is a detailed guide on how to find the best and most relevant project management software for your company.

1. Explore your business needs

You cannot just pick up any project management software that seems appealing or often appears on Google ads. It should strictly comply with your business goals and help your team produce faster and error-free results. To realize what software tools benefit your business system most, you need to analyze your weaknesses first. Think about the common challenges that your team has to overcome every single time they deploy a project. Try to define the most problematic area of project management, for instance, scheduling or reporting. Then, you should analyze what benefits you expect to get from this software solution and whether it offers customization options.

2. Find a couple of alternatives

If you are thinking over a specific software product, do not rush to make an order. Take time to look for other suppliers that have similar software tools. This search can be advantageous in terms of pricing because providers tend to market their services at different costs. Moreover, you need to have a decent plan B if anything goes wrong.

As an option, you can check with your team or colleagues as well as make inquiries about the supplier you are about to choose from. Some companies also browse the feedback from previous clients and based on that assess the supplier’s credibility and reputation. The more information you gather, the higher a chance you will make the right decision with the biggest value for your business.

3. It is time to test-drive

It is still early to shake hands on the deal. At this stage, your goal is to ask for a demo version and make sure it has all the essential features and fully meets your business needs. Again, it will be good if you test a few demos at a time because this parallel testing gives you a clearer image of what software is compatible with your business system better. Every trustful supplier provides free trials for 2-4 weeks. During this period, you should pay attention to the project estimation techniques as well as data security methods used in the software. Similarly, it is desirable that project management software is also open to updates that will keep your business system effective and advanced.

4. Estimate the value of software

As soon as you decide on what software is the most efficient and advantageous, you need to make sure its price tag is reasonable and fit for your budget. Surely, the price for your software tools will probably pay off later, but it has to be a good payment solution anyway. If it is overly high, you can ask the supplier to split the price across multiple payments, if possible. But you should resort to this scenario only in case the benefits greatly outweigh the money you are going to spend.

5. Check the references

Now, you should talk to the supplier’s sales manager to find out about their requirements and rules of software implementation. It is also a good moment to ask the vendor about problems that they had with the software before. This way, you will learn about the risks associated with the product as well as unveil the genuine value of this software tool. If the provider has nothing to hide, you will get an honest and detailed answer to all of your questions. At this point, you should use every chance to make sure you are about to choose the trustful supplier.

6. Implementation

The project management software is not easy to install and set up. For that reason, you should also discuss the method and time of software implementation. Besides, since your team is not aware of such tools, you will probably need a training session during which you will be explained how to apply and use it properly. These nuances should be clarified prior to the purchase of software.

7. Time to decide

Finally, it is time to select the most beneficial software that seems convenient for your company in terms of pricing and functionality. Make sure the supplier abides by the rules indicated in the agreement and enjoy your project management software that will lead you to prosperity.

Author’s Bio:

Betty Lockwood is a blogger, web developer, fintech expert and caring mother of two kids. She loves to write about new technologies, business news, traveling, and music events. Betty is also editor-in-chief of Computools website. Follow Betty on Twitter.

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