As you get started on project planning, you’ll want to consider how many tools are now readily available in the world of online software. Post-pandemic, many companies have remote teams, as well as hybrid teams. So, with the way that we now accomplish tasks and work, it makes sense to use software that allows us to work with our colleagues in a straightforward and easy way. Here are a few things to look for when choosing the right software for your project plan:
Look for communication features
If you want your team to be able to work together in an efficient way, communication is key. Instead of countless emails or phone calls, look at project management tools that include a chat feature so that your team can chat within the platform that they’ll be doing a lot of work on or collaborating with other team members. Streamlining communication is one of the most important aspects of project management success, so take time to consider whether or not this feature is absolutely important to you as you plan your project.
File sharing capabilities
Another feature that you want to look at is file-sharing options on the software you choose. Some people use Dropbox outside of their project management software. While this is convenient enough, it may require your team members to continuously open the email where they received the link or find the place in a Slack chat to always open it. If you choose a site that allows for document sharing in-app, then it can be a lot easier for your team to work together on tasks in a more streamlined way. Make sure you also have API management in place.
Set timelines and workflows
In order for your team to know what you expect of them and to set a pace, so to speak, you want to look for software options that make setting workflows and timelines easy. Keeping track of workflows in one place can be highly useful for you as a project manager who may have multiple teams working on various projects at once.
Additionally, clearly defined timelines for your team members can help you streamline the process so that everyone knows how and when their work should be delivered.
Scheduling potential
While timelines can be useful for setting a bird’s eye view of how the plan will happen over time, using a scheduling feature allows you to set up meetings and other tasks so that everyone can easily see when something has to happen and if they should make sure they’re available on their computer.
This is an especially useful tool for hybrid teams that may have people in the office and those who work elsewhere. Because this is how a lot of companies do things these days, there are plenty of software options that make scheduling easy for managers and employees alike.
Task tracking
Obviously, you will need to make sure you can clearly check in on tasks as your team progresses. This can be done in a number of ways, so as a project manager, you’ll need to decide on the best method for task tracking. It could be as simple as an Excel sheet or it could be a workflow schedule where your team keeps you updated every day with tasks completed.
In the same vein, if you need to track hours worked, you may need to consider software that includes time-tracking features so that you know how many hours are worked every day. Do your research so you can be sure to choose the right tools for what you prefer to use for keeping on top of your team.
In Conclusion
As a project manager, get familiar with the tools that are available online. You won’t find a shortage of project management options, but you may need to do your research to find the features that serve you best.
