This document discusses how to choose the right online project management software. It notes that there is no single best option and that the right choice depends on factors like the number of projects and team members, their roles and time zones, the level of detail needed, and individual working styles. The document then asks a series of questions to help evaluate these criteria and compares features of popular software like Basecamp, Asana, TeamworkPM, Smartsheet, and Trello to determine the best fit. It emphasizes that successful implementation requires team adoption, communication, and an adjustment period for new processes.
2. Popular on-line project management software:
!
• There are lots of tools
• Each tool has raving fans & passionate
adversaries
• There is no one right answer for everyone
The real question is !
What’s best for you, in your situation?
3. Q: How do I know what is
the right tool for me?
!
A: It depends.
!
Let’s go through
some questions
4. Why are you looking at !
project management !
software?
5. Why are you looking at !
project management software?
• Want to get organized
• Too much going on to keep up with
• Don’t know who is assigned what
• People missing deadlines
• Changing priorities
• Other reasons
7. How many projects are !
happening at once?
• Only one project
• Many projects
• Too many projects
8. How many people !
are on your team and !
what are their roles?
9. How many people are on your team !
and what are their roles?
• List the name of each team member
• List every role that each person performs
• List each of your vendors and partners
• List each of their team members
It gets complicated, because one person !
may fill more than one role.
10. In which time zone !
does each team !
member operate?
11. • If everyone is in the same time zone, you are very fortunate.
• Most teams span the globe, and scheduling is challenging.
• For meetings, be considerate of who is awake before dawn
and who is awake after sunset.
• Be conscious of the time lag for email. If you send an email
when someone is sleeping, they are not going to respond
until they are awake.
• When communicating deadlines, be clear which time zone
is being used.
In which time zone does each !
team member operate?
12. What level of detail do !
you need to manage inside !
the software?
13. How much detail do you need to go into?
• As you organize your project, you will have phases,
deliverables, and task lists.
• Does the team need detailed instructions on what to do
or are they managing their workflow somewhere else.
• How are handoffs being handled? How does someone
know when they are ready to start a task?
• How much detail do you need to put into a status
report? Do you need to report that a task is in progress,
or do you need the percentage complete?
• What makes your boss happiest?
15. What is your working style?
• Visual or verbal
• Lists or post-its
• Office, cube or coffee shop
• Formal or casual culture
• Proactive or reactive
• Simple or complex
• Micro-manage or hands-off
16. What does it take to !
be successful? !
(at project management)
17. What does it take to be successful? !
(at project management)
• Setup the system as it makes sense for your situation
• Assigning tasks, due dates, and responsibilities
• Teaching everyone how to use the system
• Manage project changes and update the plan
• Consistently reminding everyone to use the system
• Create status report templates and set calendar
reminders for when they are due.
• Accountability and actually using the system
• Follow-up, follow-up, follow-up
• Communication, communication, communication
32. Summary: Remember these things
• Your team has to use it.
• Communication and follow-up are key.
• It takes time to adapt to new processes.
• The end result will be worthwhile
33. Experience Your Business, Transformed.
Rachel Kersten, CEO!
rachel@quantifying.com
Presented by
For more information: www.quantifying.com
