1. Begin with Best Practices

When choosing any software solution, start with best practices and then dive into specific features: Resources (people), “must be fully utilized and focused on highest priority at any given time”. To do this, the Project Management Office (PMO) must first understand the organization's goals and align them with the software capabilities.

In some cases, it is beneficial to allow vendors to provide guidance based on their own experience as they demonstrate how the software can be optimized. Much can be learned from the vendor and how they've built the functionality out of the box, giving PMOs a fresh start as they avoid future reboots due to complexity and/or customization.

2. Evaluate Key Features

Regardless of resource management software, there are three core features it has to offer:

a. Visualization information
The most important aspect of any resource management software solution is the visibility it provides. It must provide insight into capacities and needs, especially resources and skills in short supply. Without or even without the right combination of skills on the team, the project will be delayed.

Resource managers must also be able to view resource availability in a timeline based on a dynamic set of attributes, such as role, skill, organization, location, cost center, and resource type. These types of details, plus any attributes that are configurable to allow for unique requirements, will ensure managers can plan, forecast, and assign the right resources to resources. suitable force. the right project at the right time.

b. Planning and Prioritizing
Any resource management software worth the investment should have a blueprint and prioritization on shared resources. The software will allow them to assess and score potential resources to meet resource requirements. The scoring system helps you quickly and easily see which resources are best suited for a particular project.

The software should be flexible, responding to any point of view that a particular stakeholder desires most. For example, it will allow hard and soft presets, as well as handle group and individual tasks.

c. Reality and Finance
Modern resource management software can help an organization better understand the plan than it actually is. CFOs and finance executives are interested in capturing reality and costs, but traditionally these metrics are more than just predictions and best estimates.
Time tracking provides the specifics required for resource consumption. Many organizations don't track time accurately, mainly because people don't want more work that they see as more work without understanding why it's relevant.

3. Vendor Support

Finally, supplier support is crucial. Resource management software offers a wide range of functionality that can be daunting without the right vendor support. Assess which supplier will best meet the organization's needs and will best help the PMO meet its strategic goals to deliver value quickly.