Before you dive into the world of project management software, you should know what you’re getting yourself into. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned pro, you’ll undoubtedly come across a lot of unfamiliar terms and features. There are so many project management software solutions available that it can be overwhelming. In this article, you’ll discover insights about the project management software ecosystem that will help you confidently choose the right software for your team.
The project management software ecosystem is one of the most important business resources you have at your disposal. By understanding how it functions, you’ll be better equipped to make informed project management software decisions in the future. Let’s take a look at some of the most important ways that you can grow your knowledge about the project management software ecosystem.
8 ways to grow your knowledge about project management software
1. read blogs and forums about software
Part of your job as a project manager is to keep your team focused on the task at hand. This means keeping up with the latest news and trends in project management software to put the best tools and strategies in place for your projects.
But where do you look for this information? It’s essential to find a credible, easy-to-read, and up-to-date source of information. Here are four places to start looking:
Read blogs
Many software companies offer blogs with advice and tips about using their products or related topics. These blogs are a great way to learn more about using the software you’re paying for. Look for an option on the company’s website that says “blog” or “articles.”
You can also use your favorite search engine to find blogs about different types of project management products. When searching, make sure you look for updated blogs (at least once a month). You can also search for product reviews from trusted sources like PC Mag or Tech Radar.
Join forums
Project management forums can be a great place to meet other professionals who work with similar software as you do. Sign up for an account at forums like Reddit, Quora, and Capterra’s Project Management Community Hub then ask questions, read relevant discussions, and engage with other users of business software and sometimes even the maker of the software you’re considering purchasing.
2. Attend meetups and conferences
Another great way to learn about project management software is to attend meetups and conferences. In these events, you can talk to project managers and business stakeholders using project management software and find out what they like and dislike about the solutions they’re using.
Meetup
If you happen to live in a city with many tech companies, then there is a good chance that you have meetups for specific technologies, including project management software. Even if you don’t live in a big city, there is still a good chance that meetups exist in your area.
To find out what meetups are available to you, just visit Meetup’s website and and search for “project management software” or “project management tools” or something similar. You should see a whole list of meetups that are available near you.
Once you find some meetups, join them and start attending them regularly to get the most value from them. You can also use this opportunity to meet other professionals who work with project management software and potentially make some new connections.
Conferences
Attending conferences is also an excellent way to connect with other people in the same industry. There are many conferences like PMI Global Congress and ProjectWorld & World Congress on Project Management, which can be very helpful for you to grow your knowledge about project management software.
3. watch tutorial videos
Many project management software solutions offer tutorials to help you set up your team. Often, these videos can be challenging to follow if you’re a complete beginner. Setting up different tool integrations, navigating the interface, and understanding how it integrates with your other systems can be one big challenge.
For this reason, it’s best to watch tutorial videos while you’re using the software. This will give you a sense of how it works, and you can pause or skip ahead if you have questions. You may even find yourself asking questions to product managers and engineers about certain features.
Also, the world of project management is constantly evolving. New trends are emerging, new techniques are being developed, and new technologies are coming out every day.
To keep up with these changes and improve your abilities as a project manager, it’s crucial to stay on top of the latest developments in the industry.
The best way to do this is by watching tutorial videos. They provide a convenient way for you to learn about the latest trends and techniques without having to spend time reading blogs or books.
You can even watch them while doing other things like commuting or exercising.
4. Attend webinars and courses
Being at a crossroads in your career can be an exciting time, but it can also be overwhelming. You may not understand certain terms or know where to start when growing your knowledge.
Conferences and webinar series are often a great place to start. They can help you to better understand the project management software ecosystem and can provide information about the best practices that other teams are following.
For example, some project management software solutions are focused on helping organizations deliver projects on time, within budget, and with the right quality. These days, project managers need to make sure that their teams are working efficiently as well.
The right way to approach project management software is to think about the entire lifecycle and how to optimize it. That way, you’ll better understand what makes a software solution suitable.
The benefits of the webinars and courses:
You’ll see the software in action. The best way to get familiar with software is to see it in action. You can read about features all day, but until you see them in action, it’s hard to picture how they’ll look when you use them.
You’ll see how people interact with the software. Watching users interact with project management software gives you an idea of what it takes for your team members to use the tool. If people have trouble getting the hang of it, that’s a signal that training will be required for your team members.
You can ask questions about features you don’t understand. Many webinars and classes have an open Q&A session at the end where you can ask questions about features that weren’t covered in the presentation or that you didn’t fully understand.
5. Join slack and discord channels or groups
What they are
Slack and Discord channels and groups are areas where you can discuss topics, share information and ask questions. Slack and Discord channels are usually made up of your peers and people in the same industry, so you talk to people who often have similar questions and concerns.
How to use them
When you join a Slack or Discord channel, make sure to introduce yourself to other members and let them know how you found the channel or group (i.e., through a search). You should also let them know what you do in case they need assistance with anything. If they have questions, answer them if you can! Or share helpful resources that might assist them.
Not only will this help you start building relationships with other group members, but it will also help spread knowledge about your business and generate leads for potential customers.
When you’re first getting started with a project management software, it can be helpful to join a Slack or Discord channel or create a community around the software.
This can help you ask questions, find other users who are using the software and give you a sense of how other teams manage projects. While it may seem daunting, it’s a great way to get your feet wet when it comes to project management software.
You can also find channels and groups for specific tools, such as Slack or Discord channels for Scrum or Trello groups. This can be a helpful way to ask questions about how to use particular tools effectively and to get advice from other users.
Don’t forget about our Discord channel for real-time answers and assistance with our software, or even make feature requests.
6. take a virtual tour of the software
You’ve heard about project management software and have decided that it’s time to see what the hype is about. But before you choose a new tool to manage projects, you need to take a tour of the software.
A virtual tour of project management software will show you the ins and outs of a tool so you can make an educated decision on which one is best for you.
If you want to grow your knowledge about project management software, here are two features you should look for during your virtual tour:
1. Budgeting
Budgeting is one of the most important aspects to consider when choosing a project management tool. Your team needs a budgeting feature to track how much money is being spent on each project. Because if they don’t keep up with how much they’re spending on each project, they could run out of money and be forced to stop working before they’re finished.
2. Analytics
Your team needs to know where their projects stand at all times to succeed, which is why analytics is an essential feature to consider when choosing a project management tool. A good analytics dashboard will give your team an overview of where all their projects stand so they can decide where a project stands, what work is outstanding, and if the project will meet projected goals within expected timeframes.
7. Don’t be afraid to ask for a demo
You may have noticed that project management software is a very expensive investment for your organization. This is because project managers need to invest their time to make the best choices for their team.
However, it’s very important to make sure that you’re making the right choice for your team. Asking for a demo can help you understand how the software works and what other teams are doing with it. You can also ask about pricing and sign up for a free trial to see how it works for your team.
It can be intimidating to request a demo for project management software, but it’s an important part of decision-making. You can’t make an informed decision without understanding the software, and a demo gives you a good sense of this.
8. Read product reviews
Finally, it can be helpful to read product reviews for project management software. These days, the best way to find out if a product works is to try it out for yourself.
However, product reviews and FAQs can also help give you an idea of how a product works and what you can expect from it. You can often find product reviews and FAQs for project management software on sites such as Product Hunt and Product Reviews.
It’s best to use these resources alongside the virtual tour that you took earlier. That way, you’ll be able to compare the software side-by-side and get a better sense of what you like about each solution.
Final words
The project management software ecosystem is vast, confusing, and overwhelming for many project managers. To help you navigate this, we’ve provided you with important insights about the ecosystem, how to grow your knowledge about it, and what to keep in mind.