PMcrunch

There are lots of [tag]project management software[/tag] and services out there to help both on site and [tag]virtual teams[/tag] be more productive.   They vary tremendously in depth, breadth, and general complexity.  They also vary in training required, ease of use, initial cost, and ongoing costs.

If you simply google “[tag]online project management[/tag]”, you will find a plethora of products – or should I say “services” – that are available. The key is to identify what you really need.  Here is a start to that process:

1. Size of your project team

2. Technical sophistication of your team

3. Location of your team

4. Other tools that you are already using for planning, scheduling, diagramming, communicating, and sharing

5. Identify gaps:  what do you need that you currently do not have, or that could be better?

6. Key features needed, like white boarding, file sharing, document library, IM, etc.

7. [tag]PM tools[/tag] needed, like scheduling, optimizing, tracking, etc.

If that can be laid out in simple terms, the task of finding a solution within the haystack of options is much more managable.   There should be at least several solutions out there that will at least appear on the surface to meet your stated needs.  Once you have a list, here are some additional considerations:

1. Does the service provider have a representative number of customers that are similar in profile to you?

2. Can you talk to them as references?

3. What is the support available?

4. Are there many features that you do not need?  If so, will they impede your ability to leverage what you need from the application?

5. What is your gut feel about the company?

6. What is the underlying architecture of the application?  Can you add features from other providers? 

7. What are the plans of the provider for improvements and evolution going forward?

For virtual teams, I think that a close investigation of the items in #2 above is most important.   For all teams, knowing that the functionality you need is either currently available, planned, or can be accomodated yourself are at the top of list.
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John Reiling, PMP
Project Management Training Online
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