A Guide to Project Management Innovation
Published: 08/11/2021
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Every organisation strives for innovation. While this involves adopting new tools, it also requires reviewing business processes. In this article, we will specifically examine innovation in project management.
It may be difficult to pinpoint where innovation could occur in project management. Traditionally, its purpose is to establish tried-and-true processes that lead to success, leaving little room for innovative thinking.
That said, every part of the business can be elevated through transformation. Let’s explore how innovative changes can be implemented at low risk in a very traditional part of the business.
The issue lies in the fact that project management seeks to predict and respond to challenges along the way. Deviating from standard processes is perceived as introducing risk into your project. However, staying on course and not leaving the comfort zone can also result in missed opportunities.
But here’s the good news: there is a middle ground. By striking a balance between traditional project management and a touch of creativity in bending the rules, you can introduce novelty. Therefore, a modern approach to a standardised process is one of the cornerstones of your success.
Innovating project management will introduce new challenges. Unfortunately, we cannot specify the types of challenges, as they vary by industry, goals, team size, and other factors. However, there are some universal obstacles when seeking changes in project management.
The first challenge is a common misconception about what ‘innovation’ means. Typically, people associate it with something entirely new, whether it’s a process or a product. However, a more accurate definition would be adding a twist to something that already exists. So, how does it differ from improvement?
Innovation encompasses generating new ideas or processes and implementing them. Improvement adds value through execution, typically without introducing anything new. Innovation occurs when creativity enhances improvement. Although the two concepts are closely intertwined and similar, they are fundamentally distinct.
Project management is tied to methodical tasks like planning, budgeting, organising, and delivering. It virtually has nothing to do with creativity. However, it presents a challenge: innovation can only be achieved if a healthy amount of creativity is added to the process.
The answer is an integrated digital toolbox. Stand-alone project management software does exactly what it’s expected to do, but it misses opportunities for innovation. However, when integrated with other solutions like digital timesheets, payroll, customer relationship management systems, and others, it becomes part of a data-collecting hub. This integration creates a more holistic, in-depth look at each process from a perspective that would otherwise be unavailable.
Your creative input when making decisions based on combined data does not threaten the project's progression and development. Instead, it allows you to view it from a different angle, which enhances your ability to plan, forecast, and allocate budgets more effectively. This is the golden spot that leads to innovation.
Often, the roadblock to innovation is people's unwillingness to adopt new approaches. This is especially true when discussing the onboarding of new software. It is important to recognise this, even if you are the key decision-maker. Ultimately, these are the individuals whose workflows will be impacted by changes.
The key is to approach them with empathy. Understand why they’re resisting the change and work together to build confidence in it. Share your vision with your staff, and if you are looking to implement new software, schedule a demo for them so they can see the benefits for themselves.
Let’s discuss the key benefits of innovating project management processes. Instead of examining each solution separately, we explore a software toolbox as a whole, as different businesses require different tools.
An excellent digital toolbox consists of solutions that are integrated with one another and accessible from anywhere. Traditional legacy software is often desktop-based, making simultaneous access difficult.
Most modern integrative solutions are Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), often referred to as ‘on-demand software’. These solutions are web-based and accessible via an internet browser on desktops, mobile phones, or tablets. Some vendors provide their mobile version as an app. For instance, instead of logging into Timesheet Portal via a browser, your staff can easily access it on their phones through Android or iPhone apps.
Project management primarily involves tasks, budgeting, and resource allocation. Having multiple people involved, especially if they are outsourced workers, adds a layer of complexity to collaborations. Unfortunately, this environment is rife with miscommunications, which can be particularly damaging to the overall success of the project.
That’s where another key feature of SaaS software comes into play—it's accessible to multiple users simultaneously, with each action visible and trackable. This aspect enhances in-team communication and fosters the creation of streamlined workflows.
Analysing your performance is crucial for project management. It serves as the driving force that enables you to plan resource allocation and implement changes along the way. Innovating the process with your digital toolbox enhances the depth and volume of data across various elements.
Most SaaS systems also pride themselves on their presentation of insights, which typically appear as digestible and easy-to-analyse visual dashboards. In other words, by innovating the approach to project management through SaaS, you gain access to new data that is automatically delivered to you in a visual format.
Although innovation is seen as a process, it’s actually a mindset. You can have the best and newest solutions available on the market and still fail to enhance your operations' performance.
Digital solutions are merely tools that can help you achieve your goals. If you’re not in the right mindset, you are unlikely to utilise your toolset effectively. This may lead to frustration and internal resistance to trying again. On the other hand, if you’re willing to explore new areas, digital solutions offer ample opportunities for experimentation and otherwise unachievable results.
Project management is often defined as the following of a set of processes. Changes to these processes are perceived as risky. As a result, it’s challenging to link it with creativity. However, a touch of creativity is essential for initiating innovation.
The ultimate way to implement project management innovation is by creating a digital toolbox. Various SaaS solutions, connected through integrations, unlock new data channels and allow project managers to approach their duties with fresh ideas. However, the key to innovation will always be the mindset. Do you feel like you’ve got it?
Then, start building your digital toolbox with Timesheet Portal Project.