The goal of a project management tool should be to see an increase in productivity, greater communication between project managers and clearer communication between employees and clients. If your project management tools are standing in the way of these basic goals, then it may be time for a much-needed upgrade. If you’re thinking it may be time for a switch, watch out for these signs that your PM tool isn’t working for you.
Multi-Tool Overload
If you are using separate tools for tracking time, transferring data or creating lists for future tasks simply because your PM tools don’t support these features, then you may want to consider looking for one that incorporates all of these features and more. Consider all of the time and money you’ve wasted managing multiple programs; with a single capable PM tool you could be accomplishing all these necessary tasks from a single window.
Endless Notifications
There’s a fine line between necessary alerts and annoying notifications. Simply turning off all alerts means that you are risking missing a potential deadline. Another frequent problem is notifications that are not detailed enough, forcing you to waste time digging for additional information. When narrowing down the best project management tools for your needs, make sure that they provide detailed notifications and an easy way to change the frequency of each notification type, without having to turn off all alerts and risk missing something important.
Accessibility Issues
If you have employees that use your project management tools on a daily basis, you’re probably aware that all of them have different preferences when it comes to operating systems, web browsers and even task-related software, so it makes sense to use PM tools that offer a wide range of accessibility. Doing so will help you minimize time spent settling potential issues and maximize time spent solving real problems and generating revenue.
Overcomplicated
Let’s face it, training new employees is expensive. With this in mind, it is important to have project management software that is simple, self-contained and easy to use vs. something complicated that requires multiple project management tools in order to efficiently operate. Not only should your PM tool be simple to use, it should contain well-written instructions for added ease of use and easy conveyance, which will save you time and money in the long run.
No Support
This may occur if your business developed its own project management tool and the developer is no longer with the company, if you purchased the tools from a source that has since gone out of business or the software support system you do have access to is inherently unresponsive. When looking for the best project management tool, take extra care to ensure that there is a sturdy support system in place that’s ready to quickly and efficiently answer any questions you may have regarding potential bugs or features that you don’t understand. This will save you a lot of time and money in the long run, and make life easier for both you and your employees.
If you’re still unsure what project management tool may be the best for you, consider Planview AdaptiveWork. We offer customizable workflows, accurate visibility, an intuitive UI and immediate sharing of things like tracking progress and project data. Our project management software is the perfect tool for creating automated processes, workflows and alerts.
