What is project management software?
Project management software is a digital tool that helps you plan projects, schedule tasks, and track your time and assignments. It's an online space where you and your team can collaborate and share data.
Who benefits from using project management software?
Whether you work in media or construction, when you manage a team, you can always use additional help. Project management software is especially beneficial for companies that employ remote workers. Many companies rely on shared calendars or spreadsheets of to-dos and information, which can fall prey to technical issues. With project management software, there's no need to send email updates about an assignment. Updates and reminders are sent directly via the software.
Since the entire team has access to the program, they can check-in and understand their role in a project – and the current status of that project – no matter where they are. Any company that wants to streamline all of its project planning in one central place can benefit from this tool. If your organization or communication skills are lacking in some areas, a project management tool can beef up your team's coordination.
Why should you use project management software?
Project management software can improve your company and your work ethic as a team. It not only helps with organization – some companies, like LiquidPlanner, also analyze your team's work and progress. This data can help you pinpoint areas where your business can improve and where you can work harder. It also puts everything in one space, which helps you reduce the number of emails sent and downsize other applications your company is using. It promotes collaboration and helps hold staff accountable for their assignments and deadlines. In a nutshell, project management software streamlines your workflow, which is a bonus for any company.
What online project management software is the easiest to use?
When it comes to scheduling assignments and tracking your company's progress, the last thing you need is for the management software you paid dearly for to be confusing. Use our best pick recommendations to guide you. We've researched 20 software programs to isolate the best overall application, the best software for customization, the best free solution, and the best software for freelancers and remote employees. Within each of our reviews, we rate each program on its ease of use and the pros and cons of each platform.
Every business is different and requires certain things, but there are some features and tools that make your user experience painless. For example, a Gantt chart illustrates all of the tasks in a project and displays them in a timeline. Also, a user-friendly and uncluttered interface factors significantly into ease of use. The software shouldn't look like an Excel sheet brimming with technical data. Flexible customization features also make it simpler to operate your project management system and put things on your level.
How do you manage a project management system effectively?
Project managing systems won't magically make you organized. Before you venture into a digital system, you should organize your team so that the information you'll input into the system is clear to everyone. Some features may not make sense immediately, so take advantage of the free trials our best picks offer to familiarize yourself with the system before you upload your information and answer your team's questions as well.
Additionally, ask the software vendor what support services they offer so you can ask technical questions before and after your team has moved over to the system. This will help your company avoid lulls in productivity due to misunderstandings.
What makes online project management services expensive?
The prices of project management services and task management software are diverse and depend on factors like the number of users, the amount of storage needed, and features. Also, if you customize your features, you may have to pay more than the cost of the preset packages.
What should you look for when searching for an online project management service?
Look for a system that has integration tools your company will use. It's also important for the software to have a tracking system that you're comfortable with and multiple collaboration options and templates. That way, you and your team can choose which setting makes the most sense to you.
What is one feature you should look for with online project management software that will improve your team?
Check whether the software has data analytics that monitor your company's progress. Although it's important to monitor deadlines and schedule assignments, some systems advise you on areas where your company could pick up the pace or can afford to slow down. A good program should improve your team's efficiency.