As a project manger I have to select a good efficient project planning tool for my project. There are couples of factors to choose one such as:
1. Intuitiveness:
Because of the tight schedule there is no time for training the team members, simple as it should be easy starting.
2. Collaborative:
The tools need to be collaborative, so we can combine functionality of other tool to make the existing tool more effective.
3. Secrecy:
The data should be restricted to the person for a given role only.
4. Reporting:
WE require different report for different portfolio. It should provide clear eye view report with status indicator in different colors.
5. Real Time update:
The team members should be updated immediately if any change in the project schedule or about additional task.
6. Entire lifecycle manage capability:
Tool should be capable to track: Schedule, Issue, Risk, timesheets, and also tool should track right from begging till closure.
7. Integration capability:
Tool should be easily integrated with the existing tools such as MS Project, Google etc. And also should work as Clint server distributive application depending on project.
8. Remote user access capability:
The user can use its own way at home, while traveling and can use at the project location. Should be accessible using mobile and smart phone, Tablets etc
9. Dimension capability:
The tool should provide flexibility to adjust the business need.
10. Data security and reliability:
This is most important is security of data from unauthorized access. All resource and data should be hidden, and only right information should be accessible as per profile and need. So the multiple level password protection required.
These are the basic and important need a tool should fulfill for project