Project management software is much more than a tool to help project managers and team members do their job. 

Some professionals feel that they don’t need any project management software at all. They can just use an Excel spreadsheet or Google Docs to manage their projects. But these methods can create issues and have severe limitations when they don’t work well with the type of project you are managing, the number of users, or how far along your company is in its maturity level as a PM organization. 

An optimum Project Management Software can foster collaboration, automate tasks, save time, increase accuracy and provide timely notification during planning, monitoring and tracking of your projects. There are many factors that need to be considered when you are evaluating and buying a project management software to use for your projects. With over 60 different project management softwares in the market it doesn’t make this task easier! Many more are entering the industry every few months. This article explores the top 10 factors to consider before you invest your money:

1. Types of Projects: different project management software can support specific project management methodologies. Are your projects more waterfall, agile or hybrid type? are there any specific framework that you would be following like Scrum or Kanban? Do you have specific requirements like though your project would be Scrum, you would like a Gantt chart type timeline as well? 

Book a free call by emailing to training@workle.ca, and talk to our expert if you would like some insights on finding suitable software options. 

2. Features Required: What capabilities are you looking for in the software – planning, monitoring, reporting or all? Do you need more of collaboration or document management software or planning and tracking one? Which features are you looking for: making Gantt Charts, viewing critical path and network diagrams, timelines, sprints, product backlogs, resource planning and tracking, risk monitoring, issue management, Earned Value Management, etc. Specific softwares offer different capabilities. It is essential to find one that meets your project and team’s needs.

3. Ease of use: One of the top factors to consider when buying Project Management software is the ease of use and interface. It should be capable of handling all types of projects, be suitable to your resources – simple enough if beginners would be using and complex enough to meet the requirements of your advanced users. Preferably, it should have intuitive dashboard as well.

4. Customizability: One important aspect of software is its ability to be customized according to each company’s needs, so that it can meet their requirements better than other products in the market place.

5. Scalability: Another important factor is scalability. The product should be able to grow as you grow and scale with your business needs.

6. User number: A consideration one should make before purchasing any software is the number of employees using it on a day-to-day basis – how many users does the subscription support vs the cost.

7. Integration with existing software: Integrating with other systems and software that you might be using at your workplace is also important as your data should not be split across multiple platforms but should be available to all stakeholders on a single interface. 

8. Organization’s Project Management maturity: The level to which your company has adopted project management practices will also have an impact on your decision-making process

9. Cloud vs Desktop  solutions: The same software is usually available under different plans and pricing. Consider if you need a cloud vs downloadable desktop version. Cloud versions of several softwares may have lower pricing but limited features as well.

10. Compatibility with OS: Some Project Management softwares can have significant differences between the Windows and Mac versions. Before purchase consider OS  compatibility for the option you are planning for.

Need support in purchasing a Project Management Software. Do not hesitate to book a free call with our Experts at Workle, who can help clear your queries and help make the right investment. 

Drop us an email at: training@workle.ca, and we will call you back at your preferred time.