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Project Management Software
Managing Projects with Multiple Sites
Growing
companies with talented people in various offices are increasing the
number of collaborative projects that take place over a distance. It
can be difficult to organize the efforts of multiple sites, but such an
undertaking often yields good results, as it allows project managers to
have the best people in the company, rather than just settling for the
best of who is immediately available on site. Technological
advancements have made it so that people at different sites can remain
in touch, and work at their sites without having to make too many trips.
One
of the best tools that has contributed to the feasibility of more
projects encompassing is the advent of online collaboration project
management software. Online collaboration software is just what it
sounds like: software designed to allow people to work together online.
This can be over the Internet, but it more common for companies to have
their own separate servers and networks to facilitate long distance
collaboration. Many of them have their own systems to reduce the
likelihood of outsiders finding their way into proprietary information.
While
many projects with multiple sites still require some sort of in-person
meeting at some point, most of the time it can be accomplished near the
beginning. The project manager may need to visit the other project
sites to make sure that everything is in order, or to provide immediate
feedback or clarification of objectives. However, there is no reason
that the project team members should meet in person more than once or
twice (depending on the length of the project) unless there is a very
specific task that needs special handling by long distance partners on
the project.
For the most part, the project
management of projects with multiple sites is much the same as managing
a project entirely based on one site. The fundamental principles of
effective project management still apply. The project manager should
know each team member’s strengths and areas of expertise so that he or
she can be assigned a role that best fits her or him. This may require
a little extra effort for project team members that are not located at
the same site as the manager, but it is important. Clearly explaining
what needs to be done, and effectively communicating responsibilities
to team members is also very important.
Project
management software makes the whole process easier. While centralized
software will work when one is managing a project with multiple sites,
it is often easier to use an integrated program so that the team does
not have to wait for the other sites to have the software installed
before the project can move forward. Unless everyone already has the
same programs, when a multi-site project is proposed it is important to
consider integrated project management software. This way the members
at the other sites can just jump right in.
Managing
projects with multiple sites need not be overly stressful. While there
will likely be coordination issues, this is something that can be
factored into the schedule and through the process of risk assessment
and management. Project management software can help you monitor
everyone’s work, even if they are at another location. With airplanes,
personal visits do not take very long, and most of what needs to be
done can be accomplished through videoconferencing or an Internet
meeting. With so many tools available to project managers, the project
management of multiple sites is now a reality in the corporate world.
Article by Remedysoft, Inc.
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