Important features of project management tools

The software of a project manager should be able to help him to manage his projects effectively with several important features.

Project managers are increasingly using project management software products. After all, project managers need this kind of solution every day. But what should you check out if you’re asked to help choose new team software? Here are the top ten criteria for project management tools. These are not presented in any particular order, as the value of each project varies. You may even think that some are not important! However, use this list as a starting point when selecting software for your shortlist.

1. User-friendliness is essential.

First of all, make sure the program you buy is intuitive to use! It goes without saying that some tools are complex and require proper training. The most useful product for you will be simple to use and suitable for your team. Many tools offer free trials, so you can try it out before you buy it.

2. Planners are essential.

Professional-grade planning tools like Gantt chart software are needed to properly manage projects. Many simple products will only show you a to-do list rather than a Gantt chart. While this might be enough for minor projects with a small team, it’s important that you have more of them as soon as the going gets a bit tricky.

3. Job control is essential.

Gantt charts start with a list of tasks, so task management tools are needed. This should include the ability to assign tasks to teammates so they know where to spend their efforts. It is important to be able to order the tasks as you see fit. This involves categorizing them and assigning due dates. Another feature is the ability to send email alerts to the person responsible for the task.

4. External shareability is important.

Sharing plans and tasks across your organization is one thing, but it’s also essential to research technology that makes project data open to others. This is important when it comes to dealing with contractors and third parties. This is also why cloud-based web software is so popular.

5. Live reporting is crucial.

It’s always important to find a product with real-time reports to save time. This will take data from various parts of the project management software and provide reports on the status of the project.

6. Graphical reports are important.

While we are talking about reports, presenting them visually is often helpful. While this isn’t always the case, I’ve found that many reviewers and sponsors prefer dashboards and charts to text-based reports. Research the technology with customizable dashboards for each stakeholder.

7. Safety is essential.

The functionality is great, but if your data isn’t secure, neither is the integrity of your project. Review the security features of your software. Securing your program online requires 128-bit encryption. Use a dedicated hosting platform to protect your customers’ data.

8. Expert interfaces are important.

There are various tools, however, some of them are outdated. The key criterion for the selection of software should be usability. It doesn’t hurt to choose something attractive. And your colleagues will think you are on the cutting edge of technology!

9. Custom options can enhance usability.

Having lots of predefined reports is important, but having custom outputs and fields is much better. You should be able to change the look of the tool to suit your working style. Some tools allow you to upload logos and adjust colors. Reports and columns of data are the most important to customize. These allow you to display information to your stakeholders in different ways. This way you know what needs to be managed on the project.

10. Of course, timesheets are essential.

Finally, it’s important to look for a project management tool that includes time tracking. Your staff may not approve, but they will help you keep track of their tasks. They can also alert you of delays and allow you to validate your work estimates. Choose a product that helps your staff complete timesheets. For example, choose one that allows you to duplicate tasks and tasks from last week.

Abstract

These are my ten most important product feature suggestions. You can categorize them and choose your project management software accordingly. Choosing the perfect product for you and your team can be difficult. So before you make a final selection, test your pre-selected program to see if you really like it.