This is the first post in our series on Successfully Implementing Project Management Software.

The simple problem with software purchasing decisions these days is people make it harder than it needs to be. The "correct" way to pick an application for your business is a long and academic one. You do analysis, determine weighted requirements, then go to market looking for alternatives which you compare with your requirements. This may not be for everyone, particularly for those with smaller businesses looking to fulfill minimal requirements. If you know your not going to do it the hard way and just want some quick pointers please read on....

Step 1.  Pick something simple

The process for successfully implementing project management software is different for each organisation. It comes down to what is right for the culture and complexity of the business. My advise would be figure out exactly what you need and pick the simplest tool for the job. You need something that will make your job easier rather than simple increase your data entry. It's very difficult to get people to add things to their work load so don't expect people will rush to use your new package if the tool requires alot of effort to produce results people don't already need.

In my experience this is the number one cause of failer, lets face it if you install something simple and get 100% of people to enthusiastically use it then you have suceeded. If you install something which promises to control every aspect of your business and only a couple of staff seriously use it then your've failed.

Systems have to be seen to help, not add workload.