Question

Week 2:

Discussion Question:

What do you see as the advantages and disadvantages of using project management software such as MS Project to organize a project? Remember to cite all sources in APA format. 150 words

Answer 1

Project Management Software :

Project Management Software is software used by a wide range of industries for project planning, resource allocation, change management and scheduling. It enables project managers as well as entire teams to control their budget, quality management and all documentation exchanged throughout a project. This software also serves as a platform for facilitating collaboration among project stakeholders.

Microsoft Project is a project management software product, developed and sold by Microsoft. It is designed to assist a project manager in developing a schedule, assigning resources to tasks, tracking progress, managing the budget, and analyzing workloads.

It is part of the Microsoft Office family but has never been included in any of the Office suites. It is available currently in two editions, Standard and Professional. Microsoft Project's proprietary file format is .mpp.

Advantages of using project management software such as MS Project to organize a project:

1. Helpful in Collaborating with team members in real-time. These software offer communication tools that can assist teams in discussing issues in real time. Hence, each team member can be kept up-to- date, quickly dealing with issues as they arise.

2. Offers Document sharing. For projects that require the use of significant documentation, document sharing tools allow individuals to edit, update the status of reports and create systems that allow for transparency and communication .

3. Helps in managing project costs. Project management software generally includes tools that can assist in managing project costs.

4. Ability to manage risks, forecasting, and budgets. By knowing project risks, forecasts are created and budgets are tracked with the help of these softwares.

·5. Help in reporting capabilities. With flexible report formats and the ability to quickly access needed data, project management software can keep tasks on schedule.Allows for creation and assignment of tasks, deadlines and status report.

· 6. Intuitive to use. Dashboard-based software requires little training to implement. Simple to use and easy to install, new project management software allows for quick ramp-up times.

7. Bug and errror management: These software provide bug and error reporting, viewing, notifying and updating for stakeholders.

8. Time Tracking: Automated alerts on deadline to complete projects make it easier for managers to keep track of time for finishing project on time.

Despite of many advantages there are certain disadvantages of using Project Managent Softwares to organise a project:

• Some programs can be very costly with very little ROI (Return On Investment). While project management software can provide great solutions, many times those solutions need to be custom designed or solved by purchasing multiple software programs. These can be costly options and can be difficult to implement.
• Project management software may complicate simple projects. While using project management software is a popular option for many organizations, simpler projects may not need project management software. When project management software is used inappropriately it can unnecessarily complicate matters.
• Execution issues when relying on automated alerts. While alerts are helpful to remind team members that tasks are due, a problem develops when more time is spent on setting up the alert than the task itself.