This article was contributed by Susan Melony who works as a freelance writer working for Imaginary Content Co.
Things move fast in business. Everyone expects their projects to be completed quickly and delivered on time.
Mistakes are rarely tolerated and stress is becoming an accepted part of work life. Effective and efficient project managers can help keep things running smoothly. However, even the best project manager may have difficulties keeping up with the fast pace.
Thankfully, project managers have a solution—by mastering MS project software, they can more easily organize their resources, reduce overall project costs, and boost their team’s efficiency. These aren’t the only benefits you can unlock with MS project management software.
Benefits of Using MS Project Management Software
As a project manager, you understand the importance of having the right tools. You place the right people on your team and are always available to provide support. You encourage your team, communicate effectively, and set realistic goals.
If this is already sounding like a lot on your plate, it is and you’re just getting started. Even if you’re only managing a single project, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Now, everything is suffering and your project may be at risk of failing to meet a milestone.
Did you know that having the right tools goes beyond your team members and ensuring they have what they need? The right tools also extend to your project management software and Microsoft is a great option. Not sure if MS Project is the right software for you? Here’s a look at some of the benefits you can get from the effective project management tool.
Easy to Navigate Interface
Chances are, something you look for in a project management tool is an easy-to-use interface. The software’s goal is to make project management more effective and efficient, and this means being able to easily navigate the interface. If you’re wasting time trying to access the software, efficiency is out the window.
Microsoft has designed its project management software to be a breeze to use whether it’s your first time or you’re an old pro. You can easily track project progress from the customizable dashboard. The interface also makes it easy to manage several projects simultaneously without affecting work quality. The collaboration tools encourage communication between team members.
You can also easily take advantage of the sharing features—this way, everyone is always on the same page, regardless of which project aspect they’re focusing on.
Effectively Manage Project Times
MS project makes it easier to manage project times. You can easily create calendars and set milestones. Since you can share information across the platform with other users, you can link their calendars to your timelines.
The software also lets you manage resources, helping to ensure everyone has access to the tools they need. Other features include analyses of task dependencies which can help your team more effectively manage their time. They always know what’s critical and which tasks can be placed on the back burner.
Effective Organization
Whether it’s a small or large project, at first glance it can seem a little overwhelming. However, MS Project can make even the most complex project seem a little less daunting. Some of the included features include creating detailed project outlines and establishing concise timelines. You can assign and structure tasks, allocate resources, and manage your project budget more efficiently.
As mentioned earlier, the tool encourages collaboration among team members and this can be invaluable regardless of whether you’re at the start or in the middle of the project. You can also take advantage of real-time updates so you can make instant decisions. In other words, the project isn’t on hold while you try to catch up. You know precisely when an issue pops up and can create a solution without slowing down the project’s process.
Did you know MS Project also has a task automation feature? This means you can worry a little less about something falling through the cracks.
Across the Board Compatibility
There’s almost nothing worse than getting excited about a new tool only to realize it’s not compatible with other necessary software. Now you have an unusable tool and a project that’s not running efficiently.
A great aspect of Microsoft tools like its project management software is its compatibility. The tool integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft applications like Word and Excel.
You can use MS Project with 365 and the software also comes with SharePoint and Power BI, which can both help boost productivity while also improving your data analytics capabilities. You and your team get broad support throughout every stage of the project.
Flexible and Scalable
You can easily create custom fields using one of the included templates. Microsoft includes a range of templates to meet the needs of almost any project. You can add fields as needed to track data. The flexibility also makes it easy to create custom reports for project stakeholders.
The flexibility also extends to devices, as MS Project is compatible with both desktop and mobile devices. Since you can easily scale the software to meet the needs of your project, it’s a great solution for large and small businesses.
Complete and Deliver Projects on Time
Your business depends on its clients and this means delivering projects on time. Excuses rarely work and often end up hurting your company’s bottom line. Thanks to MS Project scheduling features, you can monitor progress in real-time.
You’ll instantly know if a team member is struggling and falling behind. Instead of accepting the delay, you can take measures to get everything back on track. Best of all, team members can also track progress so they can take action before an issue becomes a problem.
Boost Your Management Capabilities with MS Project
Microsoft has a suite of tools that can help make your business more efficient. These tools include MS Project and it’s something every business should consider adding to their tool belts. You can more effectively and efficiently manage your project teams.
Team members can also use the tool to communicate, collaborate, and work more effectively. When you can deliver error-free projects on time, your business will find it easier to grow.
About the author
Susan Melony is a freelance writer working for Imaginary Content Co. with an academic background in Environmental Studies from Green Valley University.
Last Updated on April 4, 2024 8:22 pm CEST
