Project management tools have been around for many years in various shapes and sizes.
We have all come to love the nuances of MS Project, namely it’s a cumbersome beast, intuitive, a hassle to keep up to date, difficult to share with stakeholders unless they access the same drives or share point – then the need to attach and be emailed, blocking inboxes, dull reporting facilities, expensive to own and lack of controlled usage leading to inefficient licence deployment.
…and then from out of the Cloud came a new fresh attitude to Project Management.
Suddenly projects begin to take a new shape. The plans become enjoyable to work with.
OK some folks (quite rightly) still have reservations about security – critical data being stored in some anonymous data centre, but the benefits outweigh the negatives.
Just think about accessibility – Cloud plans can be accessed from anytime, any place and anywhere. This is what is needed in the global society. No need to wait for colleagues to get into the office before giving their opinion on the impact of a new requirement.
Cloud-based PM tools are hardware-neutral, therefore a mixture of iPad, Android and pc users can access plans at the same time. Remember that these don’t all have to be existing project stakeholders, they could be new associates or vendors preparing to become involved Ian particular work package.
The cost of ownership of Cloud Project Management software is manageable – no need for expensive hardware or infrastructure, constantly in need of maintenance and upgrade. No need to install expensive pc client software, simply access the Cloud.
Remember what we spoke about at the beginning, the dull reporting facilities. Well how about photographs attached to your resources, colourful management information or even videos showing the percentage complete of a particular construction project.
The future is bright with our heads in the Cloud.
Malcolm McNeill is a freelance Financial Services Project Manager as well as CEO of Fabbydoo.com.
Additionally he owns car rental comparison website BestCarHire and Motor Home comparison website HolidayCampervan.
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