We have completed our review of the various project management software categories in the market. If you missed any of the posts, you can go directly to them below:
Project Management Software Categories: Introduction
Project Management Software Category #1: Simple / Stand Alone Tools
Project Management Software Category #2: Collaborative Tools
Project Management Software Category #3: Mid-Size Tools
Project Management Software Category #4: High-End Tools
Project Management Software Category #5: PPM Tools
Let's wrap-up this discussion. First of all, why do it in the first place? Three reasons.
One, many people that are researching project management software do not know where to start because there are so many tools out there. Hopefully, this discussion will help them begin to understand what to look for and the type of project management software tool they need.
Two, other people are trying to fit the wrong tool into their organization. They hear or read about a tool, or know the company that developed the tool, and they go for it. It is important to understand the nature of these tools. An organization with 15-20 people is most likely going to be overwhelmed by a high-end tool.
Three, still other people are simply not aware of what is out there today. They are pre-disposed to use a "standard" project management software tool such as Microsoft Project, and are not aware of the breath of possibilities that can really have a significant impact on their organization.
Is this discussion meant to convince you that one tool or category is better than another? No! As I have stated in these posts, you need to evaluate the tool categories and characteristics and map those to the needs and makeup of your organization. That is probably the most important step that you can take to make this a successful effort for you.
So where do you go from here? In subsequent posts, I'll cover topics such as specific steps to take as you begin your search, how to prepare your organization for a project management software implementation, and other practical considerations.
If you have topics that you would like to see addressed, post a comment or send them to blog@teaminteractions.com.