No amount of project management training will prepare you for how truly busy the day to day work of project management will actually be. Fortunately for today’s busy project manager, there are some fantastic software programs out there that can really help when it comes to organising and planning the various elements of your project. This software has been designed to help with projects of all types and sizes and can really help to make a difference when it comes to keeping on top of your budget.
If you are considering budgeting software but are not quite sure what you should be looking for, read on as we delve into the world of budgeting software and what it has to offer.
Why do I need budgeting software?
Put simply, the biggest reason to use software to track your project budget is that it will make keeping track of your budget much simpler. No matter how carefully you plan your initial budget there is a good chance that somewhere along the way something will not go to plan and end up costing you more. Of course, there is also a chance that something may come in a little cheaper than you anticipated as well – although this is less common of an event, of course! Keeping track of your projected spending and actual spending requires keeping an eye on everything. Software will allow you to do this very easily and should an unexpected cost occur it will let you have a look at your entire budget in order to see at a glance where you may be able to make some changes.
How to choose the best software for your project
With so many different budgeting software programs out there, it can be hard to decide which one might be most suitable for your project, and it may take a little trial and error to find something that suits you.
Mavenlink is one of the software products on the marketplace that can really help with all aspects of your project management, including your budgeting. It offers real-time data that can allow you to look at the performance of the project at a moment notice, great for any busy project manager or even the project stakeholder. It gives a good overview of every aspect of your project budget and can easily be updated quickly and easily at any time.
Clarizen is another all-inclusive product that can help with every aspect of your project and is especially helpful when it comes to keeping track of your budget. There are a number of handy ways in which you can examine your budget and how you have set it out as well.
Of course, these are just two of the great many products on the market. Take a look at exactly what you would like to achieve with the software that you choose, and this will give you a starting point for looking for the most appropriate product. If you have attended project management courses, then they may have suggested some software that you could look at.