Choosing the right project management software is critical to the success of any business. With so many options on the market, it can be overwhelming to try to evaluate and compare them all.
To make things easier, we’ve compiled a list of the 12 top criteria for evaluating a project management software. Considering cost, features, scalability, and user-friendliness, you can narrow down your options and find the perfect fit for your team. Let’s take a closer look at each of these criteria.
Project Management Software Tool: Overview
What is a Workflow Management Software?
Project management software is a tool that helps teams manage projects, tasks, and resources. It is used for tracking progress on construction sites or managing customer relationships in sales departments. The software allows users to assign tasks, organize tasks, track timelines, monitor budgets, and analyze data.
What are the Benefits of a Workflow Management Software?
Workflow Management Applications can provide businesses with a number of advantages, including:
Increased visibility into project progress
With these tools, you can see what is happening with the project and when it is supposed to be done. You can oversee multiple projects seamlessly. This allows you to stay ahead of deadlines, budgets, and other parameters.
Improved collaboration and communication between teams
It is easier for different teams to communicate with each other. This way, everyone knows what they should do and when it should be done.
Reduced risk of project delays or budget overruns
Using a project management tool can help reduce the chances of your project being delayed or going over budget. Task management becomes more accessible.
Enhanced ability to measure success and identify areas for improvement
With a project management tool, you can see how well your project is going and where you might need to make some changes. This can help you improve your project in the future.
12 Top Criteria for Evaluating Project Management Software
Cost
Budget is one of the most significant factors in choosing the best project tools. Business owners and project managers should ask how much it will cost to purchase and maintain the software. Is there an initial setup fee or ongoing subscription cost? Are there discounts for larger teams or volume purchases? Is it a free project management software?
Features
The best project management software depends on one’s needs. Several features make it the best tool if users do not need it. It is best to consider what your company needs and who will use them. Does the workflow management tool have all the features you need to manage your project? Are they easy to use for task management? Does it have any unique features that set it apart from the competition?
Scalability
Along with project execution is the growth of the project itself. As a project progresses, it becomes more complex. Project management becomes a must. You will need to add users eventually and remove those no longer needed. Thus, it is proper to ask: Can the software accommodate your team’s growth and changing needs? Does it have a team collaboration option? Can you quickly add or remove users as needed in these workflow management tools?
User-Friendliness
Impressive features in a project management tool are of no use if it requires too much labor to navigate it. A good project management tool is user-friendly. More straightforward steps and processes help users adapt easily. This benefits as well the project itself for a smooth-sailing implementation.
Consider asking these questions: Is the software easy to learn and use for all team members? Does it have an intuitive user interface? Does it contain project templates?
The best workflow management software should meet all of them.
Security
Project data and information are sensitive property of a business. Fear of data breaches and leakage is another factor in choosing project management tools. Many people get involved in a particular project. So to ensure that data resources are safe, project management software should be able to keep them secured.
Things to ask: Is the project management software secure, and does it comply with industry regulations or standards? Is data encrypted when transmitted or stored on the server?
Reporting & Analysis
Keep your projects up-to-date. Some project management software offers features to generate reporting and analyze your project. This feature helps the project team to adjust and reallocate resources when needed. With this, resource management is also underway.
Keep these in mind: Does the software provide detailed reports to help you monitor your project’s progress? Can you easily generate reports and analyze data to make decisions?
Integration
Several tools are involved in a particular project. There are tools for communication, budgeting and accounting, and others. The best project management software must have the ability to integrate these tools. This will help access each device seamlessly.
Try checking these out: Does the workflow management software integrate seamlessly with other tools and applications you may be using? Can you easily import data from other sources into the software?
Support
You deserve what you paid for. Your subscription should not end the moment you have access to it already. The best project management software has good customer support to address technical difficulties and issues.
Does it meet the following: Is technical support available for the workflow management software if you run into any issues or need help? What support is general (phone, chat, email, etc.)?
Mobility
Mobility means that you can use workflow management software on different devices. This way, you can work on your project no matter where you are. Does the software have a mobile app, or is it cloud-based? Is the workflow management software accessible across multiple devices? Can it be used on desktop, laptop, and mobile devices?
Customization
Some software can be customized to fit the needs of your project. This means that you can change how it looks and what features it has to make it work better for you. Does the workflow management software provide options for customizing the user interface or settings to fit your team’s needs?
Automation
Automation is a way to make things happen without needing someone to do them. This feature triggers the next step once an action has been completed. For example, you can have a machine do the work for you. Does the workflow management software provide any automated workflows features or tools to streamline and custom workflows?
User Feedback
Some software lets you give feedback so that the people who made the software can make it better. People who have used the software before can tell you what they liked and didn’t like about it. You can also suggest things that you think would make the software better. Does the software have a system for user feedback and suggestions to help improve the product?
Final Thoughts
Project management software is a powerful tool for any business. As long as you keep the considerations in mind when choosing one, you can find the perfect project management software to fit your needs. With the right workflow management software, you and your team can finish projects quickly and efficiently.
FAQs
What are the 5 project management tools?
The 5 most popular project management tools are Asana, Basecamp, Trello, Jira Software, and Monday.
What is a good project management tool?
A good project management app should have features that can help you manage your team and resources effectively. It should also have reporting and analysis capabilities to keep track of progress, as well as integration and customization options for seamless collaboration. Additionally, it should be cloud-based or have a mobile app for easy accessibility across multiple devices, automation capabilities to streamline processes, and user feedback options to improve the product.
What are some free project management tools?
Some free project management tools include Airtable, Wrike Free Edition, ClickUp Free Plan, Bitrix24 Free