Improve Teamwork with Remote Project Management Software
With the digital world dominating the workplace and current events affecting office structure, there is a higher demand for businesses to migrate their teams to fully remote work.
Though the current COVID crisis requires it, and research proves that working remotely results in improved productivity and enhanced employee satisfaction, it is inevitable that you will encounter some resistance when transitioning to a new workplace model.
Project management software is one of the most effective tools that ensures good digital team collaboration and an equal contribution from teammates. When discussing new methods of workplace structure, it’s common for team members to express hesitations with adopting new project management software. Remote teams are a relatively non-traditional company configuration, so, understandably, conservative, or conventional, employees may revert to old methods. Furthermore, time, training, and finances are required for the onboarding of new project management software. This process can seem overwhelming for managers and employees who are comfortable with their current workflow. Though these concerns are valid, there are ways to communicate the obvious benefits of project management and remote work software for long-term company gain.
As a forward-thinker, you’ll have anticipated that not all your teammates or employees may be immediately openminded to change. According to Capterra, “Our most common hurdle was resistance to change, particularly with less technically-savvy staff.” This is understandable and can be overcome if the proper steps are used.
In this article, we will discuss five ways to present remote project management software to your team that will help encourage them to adopt a digital landscape into the workplace.
Outline output and financial gain
A primary concern for many — especially if you are presenting to management or your executive team — will be the immediate costs, and the time it’ll take to train the staff on new project management software. However, short term pain will result in long term gains for the company if given the change.
Not only will the implementation of project management software improve productivity among team members and save the company money, but there are several benefits for the employees themselves. According to Capterra, project management software is the key to “working smarter, not harder.” With proper implementation and usage, employees may be able to limit time in the office or receive bonuses for their hard work.
As the champion for project management software, you should adequately explain the output, financial gain, and overall benefits that the implementation will bring the company and each employee long term.
Use illustrations and tutorials to demonstrate
Using illustrations to demonstrate and train makes content easily digestible and less overwhelming for staff. Prepare a user-friendly presentation to show the ease and flow of the software and prove firsthand how it’ll simplify the process for the company. (Note: most software companies should be able to provide this to you.)
“Once training is given, workers can understand the user-friendly nature and simple features of these project management solutions,” Project Management explains in a blog post, “Teams can then collaborate better, establish clear workflows and leverage the power of these project management tools for the achievement of company goals.”
Though the software may seem overwhelming at first glance, once broken down, it quickly makes managing remote teams a digestible and comfortable process.
Get your managers on board
The first step to convincing the team is to get the management to embrace the implementation of project management software. Capterra presents the idea that “a friendly face makes change much easier to accept,” suggesting that by getting your team leads onboard can quickly create a domino effect for the rest of the group.
The best way to get the higher-ups involved with the adoption process is to include them in the software selection process. Begin with smaller, internal meetings and present different ideas to the managers. Invite them to the selection process and begin to flow with positivity throughout the management team. This will ripple throughout the office.
Above all, excellent communication and positive work culture are the most effective tools for remote work. Remain open-minded and communicative to reap the rewards.
Read: How to sell collaboration to your boss
Encourage feedback from the team
It’s normal for issues and concerns to arise during the onboarding of new software. The best way to smooth out any potential catastrophic events, and to remain in a positive work environment is to encourage feedback from the team throughout the trial and onboarding process.
Capterra recommends sending out two staff surveys. One should be submitted a month after implementation, and a secondary review should be completed three months following the new software.
To determine the best questions to ask on the survey, get managers involved with the survey selection process. Inquiries can be confidential to encourage staff members to be completely honest.
You may want to announce during the implementation process that your door is open for any concerns that arise during the onboarding of the new software so that teammates feel heard and excited to remain transparent about their experience.
Minimize tasks during implementation
Avoiding overwhelming tasks and significant stressors during the implementation process is crucial to keeping your team interested as you tackle your new software. The best way to manage this is to break each task down into smaller pieces that can be easily tackled in a few hours or days.
Though this may increase the time it takes to complete the implementation process successfully, it will likely result in a more positive and uplifting work environment as your staff adapts to the change that they are experiencing. It also will allow the less technology-savvy individuals time to catch up with the changes.
Staff can lean on one another, team leads, and tutorials to assist when tasks become confusing or difficult to complete.
Ready to try out a new product management software with your team?
Stormboard offers free trials and Enterprise-specific plans that can be curated to cater to the specific needs of your team. Click here to learn more about our plans and here to see some of the resources we have to help you implement this software company-wide.
About the Author
Celina Dawdy is a freelance writer in Edmonton, Alberta. When she isn’t writing, she’s volunteering and spending time with her three dogs.
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