A tool is only as good as its operator’s ability to use it

I’ve read that “…good project management software will do all the hard work for you.”??? Isn’t that sort of like saying a can opener will open a can for you? A tool is only as good as its operator, and looking to the tool to provide all the answers without including the all-important human factor is a recipe for failure. So … you’ve just licensed a terrific PPM software application. Remembering the most important asset you have is your team—the people who use that tool—you should now consider that the the very next thing they will need is training. I know, I know, you don’t think PMs need directions, instruction manuals, or any help at all because after all, they’re pros. Guess what?  For any tool to be utilized effectively and efficiently, you have to understand it. Even the most experienced project manager can fail if they are given a tool to use but zero training on how to use is. The fact is, PPM software is a powerful tool that can, when used correctly, streamline your processes, increase efficiency, and turn problem projects into successes … when used correctly.Still not convinced? OK … here’s a list of some of the things we teach our users here at AtTask: basic project and task creation, organizational setup, reporting, interface configuration, internal support systems, data migration, integration overview, implementation best practices, system organizational structure, detailed task configuration, issue management, team management, updating projects, tasks, and issues, basic help desk management, utilizing the business case and capacity planner, customization of the interface, custom data use, financial management, milestones and baselines, time sheet management, and portfolio management. As you can see, there’s a lot more to it than you might have thought.By helping your people learn how to use the software, you maximize your investment, minimize frustration and lost time, and empower your workforce to focus on those activities that will provide the most value to your organization.  PPM expert and author Harvey Levine calls it, “Bringing the organization to a desired future state.” What is your desired future state? How will you get there? Interesting questions for the first week of the new year … share your thoughts in the comment section.