Before you rush out and buy any project-management software, plan how to maximize its capabilities and avoid associated pitfalls. Do the following to help you select and install your software:
- Be sure you have a firm grasp of project-planning and control approaches before you consider any software.
- See what software other groups in your organization are using or have used; find out what they like, what they don’t like, and why.
- If possible, ask someone who already has a copy of the software whether you can spend a few minutes exploring its operation.
- After the package is on your computer, load a simple project or a small part of a larger project to practice with (that is, enter the activities, durations, interdependencies, resources, and so on).
- Use only a few of the program’s capabilities at first (determine the effect of small changes on your schedule, print out some simple reports, and so on); use more capabilities as you get more comfortable with the software and feel the need for them.
- Consider attending a formal training program after you’ve become comfortable accessing the software’s different capabilities.
- If you’re still not comfortable choosing the project-management software for your organization yourself, consider engaging the services of an outside consulting firm with experience in helping organizations like yours to help you select and implement the software.
