Project Management Softwares! the myth

Most of the fresh experts in Project Management field look for Project Management Softwares for their success. Importance of such soft wares can not be denied but at the same time their proper use is essential. For new comers the soft wares might not be ladder to success but in fact a trap. As they may try to be efficient in any selected software they would be driven far and far from common sense. 

There are three prerequisites for effective use of any project management software. The first and most important is the knowledge about project, its activities and its required outputs. These three must then be making a sense also. Any one who knows what is purpose of his/her project, effective communication and understands the human side of a project would easily use the software. Anyone who does not know his/her project but knows the soft ware, its out puts, activity charts etc is bound to fail. So know your project.

Second issue is about scale of the project, small projects with limited duration and teams may not need any software. Use of softwares may even complicate the whole process. Larger projects with multi stakeholders require a software for better control.

Lastly be sure that any software used by you you is understandable by other concerned team members or project partners. Many times a simple file sent in MS Project is not only not understandable but even not openable by some project partners who are used with MS Excel. By the way, MS Excel still proves to be an efficient tool for small to medium size projects around the globe.

Where is Common Sense??

Common sense is the most important gift given to creatures by their creator. Even among wild animals one can find this skill while they make their rest places or perform their daily courses. Common sense is the only sense which keeps one cool minded during most complex situations. However unfortunately this sense is no more common, especially among Project Managers.

The reason behind extinction of this gifted skill is in fact availability of too much knowledge in the world. Now people give a damn to their common sense and look for some thing 'sophisticated'. Similarly in the projects whole team including their manager develops complex tools to implement and monitor the project activities. Due to these complexities they forget the real purposes of the project most of the time.  Being lost in these complex details they never find enough time to stop and think, 'if this makes sense also or not?'

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