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How to Integrate Project Management Software into your Operations

Your business has a lot of moving parts and constantly-changing demands, and at times it can become an excessive task to keep everything organized. Sound project management professionals can utilize a number of different software tools to monitor project progress and centralize project communication.

If you’re finding it more and more challenging to keep projects on track from a budgeting, time and deadline standpoint, it may be time to take a step back and evaluate how your business operates. Often times, this will help you identify inefficiencies in processes that can be easily solved by using project management software.

Here are five key things to keep in mind if you’re thinking about – or in the process of – integrating project management software into your business.

Know What Problems You Are Trying to Solve

One major mistake many companies make prior to integrating project management software into their business operations is that they do so without a specific goal in mind. If you can’t identify where your true issues lie, how are you supposed to come up with effective solutions? For example, if your biggest concern is with timekeeping, you need a time-tracking program, not project management software. If, however, you’re having trouble keeping up with projects – and ensuring that they stay on established timelines – then you need project management software.

Set Realistic Expectations

Once you know what you need to fix, you need to devise a course of action to do so.  Keep in mind that organizational change may take longer than you originally anticipate.  Rome wasn’t built in a day, and you won’t be able to overhaul the way your business operates in a night.

Don’t Complicate the Process

Often, when businesses decide to use project management software, they end up trying to reinvent the wheel. Don’t make this mistake! Instead, identify what is working for your company and keep it. Figure out what is lacking and adjust accordingly. You don’t have to overhaul the entirety of your business operations to use project management software. Use it as an asset to complement what’s already working.

Prepare Your Staff for Changes

Communicate the changes that will be coming down the pipeline to your staff. Even high-level management can react poorly to change, so it’s important that you communicate with your team instead of springing it on them as a surprise. Work your way from the top to the bottom, and don’t forget to communicate any changes to contract and contingent staffing as well. Communication is key.

Have a Contingency Plan in Place

Even in a perfect world, you are going to run into stumbling blocks. It’s important that you have a plan in place for how to deal with these obstacles so that your business, nor your projects, suffer.

Project management software is proven to help businesses run more efficiently, spur growth, motivate employees and significantly improve the quality of the product or service being offered.  If you’re not sure whether it’s the right option for your business – or are struggling with implementation – contact PMO Partners today.