果冻传媒

One of the main questions that I get lately is:聽鈥淗ow can I convince my managers that we need a good PM software?鈥澛�If you have the same question, then, read on. I am pretty sure that your boss will agree with the fact that, practical project management processes provide great value for the company. Even if you use very basic techniques to lead your projects, that is a process also. The problem with that is the fact that, now we are living in a fast paced and competitive reality, where we need to execute those processes better, faster and smarter. If we don鈥檛 invest in improving 鈥渙ur project management game鈥�, here is how we represent ourselves as project managers and company:

• UNSTABLE – The projects are exceeding the planned time frame, budget and we are not satisfying the quality criteria;
• WEAK – We don鈥檛 have a bulletproof processes that can guarantee results without changing the planned scope and execution;
• PASSIVE – Project management tactics are applied when things go wrong;
• STRESSED – Every project is a struggle and categorized as successful when people are working overtime and suffering from a lot of stress and burnout.

Great results are achieved by the right people, with the right tools. A great project management is the way to really overcome the shortcomings mentioned above.

Today, the great project management approach depends on the software used, but I will be honest: good software does not guarantees that you will have no problems. The risks will be here and surprises will happen. The project management software is only a shortcut to manage all of them better and smarter. Yes, you are right! There is also a cost to implementing project management software. Depending on the software, the cost can be on two levels. The first one is cost of learning to use it and the second is the cost to purchase it. Now, after you know all of this, let鈥檚 look into the value that you are getting and how actually the software helps you overcome the shortcomings mentioned previously:

• You will be able to set the expectation better, using up-front estimations, planning and project execution blueprint;
• You will be able to use and reuse common processes, tactics, templates and other tools in order to gain faster execution;
• Better risk management and problems handling – which ultimately brings you in a position to practice ACTIVE project management;
• Improved, organised and real time communication which will improve even the decision making process;
• Higher client satisfaction and less rework by building a higher quality product the first time, meeting the agreed budget, time and quality metrics.

All in all, you will be a completely different company and team.