Buying Project Workflow Software is Like Hiring a New Staff

We’ve helped hundreds of creative firms find the right project workflow software for their business and sometimes that means recommending other solutions. We know that the buying process can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! Finding the right software is just like hiring an employee.

Here are our 4 tips to help you ‘hire’ the right project workflow software.

1.  Determine Your Needs

The first thing to do when looking for a project management software solution is the same thing you need to do when hiring someone. The first step in the hiring process is to decide what the role of the person is and then what skills and abilities this person will need to successfully do the job. The same is true when searching for new software system.

You want to determine what pain you’re hoping the solution will fix or what outcome you are hoping to achieve before figuring out what features might meet those needs. For example, are you trying to save time by having time-sheets automatically track to projects? Or are you trying to increase your bottom line by being able to see real-time actuals on projects to prevent overruns? Make sure to share the outcomes you’re looking for when talking to different software providers.

2.  Know That It’s Worth It In The End

Hiring a new employee takes a lot of time and can cost a lot of money to find and bring in the right person. And finding and implementing the right project management solution for your design firm is no different. However, just like adding a new member to your team, implementing a new project management system can have a big upfront cost; but it can have significant positive effects in the long-term.

Know that the time and effort you put in finding the right software solution can have a very positive impact on your business both from a productivity and profitability standpoint. So it is worth the effort, in the long run, to put the time in!

In my 14 years in the film industry, there are a few things that have impacted our workflows as our implementation of Function Point. Having easy access to the analytics available in Function Point, we have re-engineered our workflows to be more efficient with our resources, more responsive to our clients and as a result, more profitable.

Shezad Manjee, Founder and CCO at Dallas HD Films.

3. Fit is the Most Important Criteria

Everyone knows what it’s like to hire someone you thought had the right skills and abilities but it didn’t work out because the cultural fit just wasn’t there. Well, the same is true for finding the right project management software for your business.

You’re going to want to have a healthy work relationship with that software solution, and the company behind it, just like you would a new employee. Having worked with creative agencies for over 18 years, we know that the foundation of our success can come from our personal and sometimes quirky approach to building customer relationships.

A company is only as strong as its support and FP has delivered to our firm the highest level of support. We deal with other online software solutions on behalf of our clients and no other company comes close to the support FP give us.

John Penney, CEO & Creative Director at BlackDog Advertising

4.  Training is Key to Success

Once you’ve found the right person, or in this case right software, it is crucial that you have a thorough training program that is designed to get you set up properly for long term success. When looking for a project workflow software you’ll want to ask about their onboarding or training program to make sure that there is a good program in place.

At Function Point, we know how important it is to have a successful deployment the first time. This is why we have a unique training program with a dedicated consultant to help you set-up, learn and deploy the system so that you can get the most out of it as soon as possible. They also ensure that you have the support you need to get this new system implemented for the long-term.

Software conversions can be very intimidating and overwhelming, but after our very first phone call with FP, we knew we had found the right fit. The training educated us on how the software works, big picture, and also helped us make sense of the smallest transaction. The trainers are knowledgeable and energetic, helpful, and determined to help our company succeed and thrive in implementing FP We look forward to improved processes and day-to-day business as we use FP in the year ahead!

Miles Design

With Function Point’s project management and time tracking software, you will have access to a comprehensive solution that helps creative businesses improve their productivity and profitability by streamlining processes; simplifying collaboration; centralizing information; and delivering real-time business data. To learn what Function Point can do for your agency, book a personalized demo with one of our software specialists.

This article was contributed by former Function Point team member, Jehanne Burns.