How to choose a project management tool for your business

By Alexandru Stan, Serial Entrepreneur, CEO of Tekpon, a single platform for all software needs.

One thing I've learned from working in the software industry is that while every product is good as a concept, it's not necessarily right for every team and company. There are many great products on the market for almost every need, but this is not a one-size-fits-all solution.

Business owners and employees will say that there are many products to choose from. Indeed, there are many project management tools on the market, but how do you choose the right one for your business needs?

I love good branding and storytelling, but that's not enough when it comes to projects and management. You will have to look at its features, characteristics and the needs it covers for your team.

Identify your team's needs and challenges.

First of all, don't make the decision based on what you think as a leader, but listen to the needs of your team. When you have multiple departments in your business, you will face the challenge of meeting the specific needs of each.

There is a difference in workflow between the sales department and the creative department, for example. People have different ways of working and visualizing their projects, especially depending on their skills. But also, if they need to work together on the same project management platform, it will be necessary to find the tool that offers this solution.

My experience so far has shown me that your people can work differently. And you can't waste the company's money buying different subscriptions for everyone; instead, find one that can fit all their needs into a single digital workspace.

Another aspect you need to take into account is the number of employees you have. If you have a small team, you don't need a more business-focused project management tool. However, it might cost you more and your team might not be as happy as you hoped.

For example, for us, Asana works very well. Our departments can work together, see how far each project is progressing, and team members can set their own goals. At this level, this tool is what we need. But for a small team, it may be expensive or too much for their needs.

Create a list of must-have features.

After identifying your business workflow and project needs, create a list of features you want your tool to have. And in my opinion, first on the list should be its learning curve - it should be so easy to use that it's a breeze. Then I recommend you search for:

• Gantt charts. This will show you how much time you should spend on a task on a timescale. Using a Gantt chart, you can see how long each activity will take and how much it will overlap with other tasks.

• Center dashboard. As the manager of your company, you want to have an overview of your company without going into the details. A centrally organized dashboard can show you all your projects, ideas, progress, and even some reporting features so you can start growing. You should look for a tool that provides a simple dashboard so you can know what's going on without losing too much detail.

• Personalization. You may want a flexible solution that can be customized to each department's needs. Avoid a static solution that provides what they think you need and look for one that allows each team member to create their personal views and workflow.

• Integrations. If there is heaven on Earth, then integrations are part of it. This amazing feature can give you the freedom to integrate the main project management tool with another tool you use allowing you to share your projects with your clients even externally.

Each project management tool offers many great features to its users, but these will be nothing if you don't test the tool with your team.

Spend your money wisely on your team.

And it's also a matter of money. You want to save money for other business needs, not spend it on subscriptions you don't use. So, before deciding which project management software suits your needs, you should test it with your team. Do a little research by reading a few reviews of a few tools you've decided to try, then spend some time testing them.

After being...