When you are on deadline, and trying to coordinate a team, the last thing a project manager needs to worry about is whether or not they have the right tools available to get the job done. Although there are a myriad of resources available for project managers, there are three distinct tools that can make any project run smoothly and help keep the entire team on task.
Without these tools it is all too easy to allow chaos to enter the work environment, which causes not only delays, but frustration among team members. By taking the time to make sure that you have the right tools at your disposal before you begin a project, you can ensure that these problems will be mitigated. Let’s take a look at the top three tools that every project manager needs.
- A reliable spreadsheet program that offers team sharing capability. This type of tool comes in handy for many different reasons. First and foremost, it is necessary for budgeting a project, the first step that many project managers need to take. There are many different options that are available both online and off for these simple project management tools, but most prefer to use Excel. If you are trying to introduce sharing of your spreadsheets among team members with an online application, consider using Basecamp or the Microsoft Office Project Server.
- A project planning suite. No project manager can manage a project effectively without the use of a proper software suite. While pen and paper may be useful for some, these old fashioned methods are not well suited for interacting with team members, or keeping clients informed of crucial milestones on a project. There are many different options available for these suites, both for online or offline application. When shopping for a project planning suite, place special attention on collaborative tools as well as the ability to share files, and keep clients updated on the status of a project.
- Presentation software. All the hard work that went into your project may be in vain if you can’t put it all together into a professional presentation. Whether you need to use a presentation for client updates, or your company requires this at the end of a project, this is definitely a tool that is vital. It is best to look for presentation software that will allow you to import project files directly from your project planning suite. This will make the final presentation easier to complete and save you the effort of trying to either convert your files or enter in data manually.
When you have the right tools for the job, project management is made easier and less stressful for all that are involved.