9 Factors To Consider When Selecting Project Management Software

Last updated on June 24th, 2022 at 12:36 pm

While working on draining projects, you often spend a lot of time engrossed in your work. But as any good manager should, you must figure out the best project management system and invest in it for things to run smoothly.

However, with the market filled with feature-loaded project management software all around, thanks to this digital age, your choice can be much harder than it seems. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll find all you need to know before investing in a reliable online project management tool. The right project management software will be a savior in all your future projects too.

9 Essentials to Remember While Picking a Project Management System

1. Budget

Be it a tiny or a humongous project, they always come with an assigned budget. Fitting in the additional cost of a project management system can send the entire budget downhill. Sticking to the predecided expense is essential to keep things cordial.

The thing about project management tools is that with the growing variety in the market, most of them come at a similar price tag. So your job as a manager is to find out which one gives your goal the most value for money.

If you pick the right tool, it might dent your budget on one project, but it will generate a lot of revenue from all the others lined up. So, make sure you choose the best tool.

2. Customizability

Any online project management tool must aid your needs and not change how things work at your office. Ensure that any software you invest in is easy to configure and customize per your organization’s needs. At the same time, flexibility is vital because you don’t know when the dynamics can change at your workplace.

3. Collaborative Capacity

One of the main objectives of looking for the best project management system is to create a platform for seamless collaboration between teammates. With the dynamically changing working styles, you want your project management software to have smooth collaborative features for both in-office and remote working.

4. Safety and Security

Many managers skip this bit while selecting a collaboration tool. However, safety is of utmost importance for anything that involves company data. Sure, you need great functionality, but not at the cost of the project’s integrity.

Make sure they have the appropriate encryption while hosting the software online. Your supplier must employ a completely distinct hosting platform to ensure that your information is safeguarded and secure from unauthorized access.

5. Smooth User Interface

When you are working meticulously on a project and working hard hours, the last thing you want is a project management tool with an elaborate “how-to” manual. That’s where the value of an intuitive user interface comes in.

The best project management systems don’t need you to be trained to use them. The best-case scenario is where you don’t need a training session. At the end of the day, comfort is key as you don’t want your team to make errors that cost your company a fortune.

6. Feature-Loaded

How many features are too many? In the case of online project management, the more is, definitely not, the merrier. You need the software to have exactly what you are looking for so that it doesn’t waste your time.

There is no point in paying for a plethora of features that you won’t even use. Too many features might put your team in a lot of confusion, wasting a lot of precious working minutes.

7. Comfortable Integration

Your project management tool must work in synchronization with other tools that you use, for example, tools from Google.

If you receive such interoperability, you’ll be able to connect your Google Drive and Gmail accounts easily. This may not seem significant, but it will make your life so much easier in the long term.

Another aspect to ponder is what would work best for you, as different businesses have unique integration requirements.

8. Time Tracking and Timesheets

Choose a project management system that includes time cards to help you keep track of assignments. It can give you early alerts about delays and allow you to double-check the accuracy of work estimations. Timesheet completion must be straightforward for team members.

9. Real-Time Analysis and Reporting

You’ll be able to collect data from many parts of the project management software and use it right away to generate reports about the project’s current state with real-time business reporting options.

Conclusion

The initial move in ensuring that all projects operate well, from ideation to execution and monitoring, is to switch to more user-friendly project management software. With so many options, you must make the best decision possible. Before making a final choice, take your time and evaluate every possible software.