Question

Please explain some of the main advantages and disadvantages of using PM software?

Answer 1

A project management software can act as a team’s main virtual board, serving both as a metrics and work platform in the same time. Among its advantages, you can count on:

¬Streamlined project workflow - No need to switch between different apps to deal with certain parts of the project. Manage it from start to finish in the same place, avoiding potential bottlenecks like data migration issues.

¬Clear plans and schedules - Most project plans consist of a few colored boxes with a deadline somewhere in an Excel spreadsheet. As the project evolves, it gets even harder to keep it up to date with the latest milestones. A project management software can establish clear dependencies between tasks and milestones, and update them once changes occur. It can also help you schedule resources in advance, and see who’s available for work or not.

¬Real-time collaboration - Team members can be assigned on common tasks and talk about project updates in context, without having to attend status meetings or send back-and-forth emails to ask about certain documents. All work is organized, happening in a shared space.

¬Bird’s-eye view on all operations - Project managers will sweat less when it comes to keeping things under control. They’ll have all the important metrics displayed on dedicated dashboards or in-app notifications that alert them if the project is on track or not.

¬Increased transparency towards the client - Some platforms out there, like Paymo for instance, will also include time tracking modules that allow you to track work and generate reports by the minute. This way, you keep clients in the feedback loop about the project progress and potential obstacles that might show up.

Disadvantages of using PM Software are :-

Some programs can be very costly with very little ROI. While project management software can provide great solutions, many times those solutions need to be custom designed or solved by purchasing multiple software programs. These can be costly options and can be difficult to implement.

Learning curve. Some project management applications may have a steep learning curve. (In fact, some project management systems are so complex that they can take years of certification programs to master!)

Execution issues when relying on automated alerts. While alerts are helpful to remind team members that tasks are due, a problem develops when more time is spent on setting up the alert than the task itself.