Technology creates change everywhere it is implemented. Most of the time those changes are good, but sometimes they aren't so good. With the growth of technology people become more connected to things, rather than people and they get busier and find far more distractions.
However, technology also makes some things easier, and with technology there have come many advances in project management that make it a much easier task for managers to take on. For better or worse, here are some of the ways that technology has managed to change project management.
It Has Opened Up Social Media
Social media has become more than just a platform for friends and family to stay social as it shifts as a way for businesses to stay productive and gives them another way to stay in constant contact. While for some, social media can be a downfall and a distraction, especially if you have some less dedicated employees, but it offer much as well.
Social media can act as a power tool in which you can collaborate and communicate more effectively with your team. You can use items like the Facebook groups to keep everyone in the loop. It's not always convenient to get together in person every day, and social media makes it possible to chat without even leaving your desk.
You Can Now Stay More Connected
You not only have social media for staying more connected, but smartphones make it easier to communicate even when you are not sitting at the computer. With Bluetooth you can safely communicate with your team members even when you are on the road.
Some people feel as though the ability to stay readily connected 24/7 is making people work more and stress more, but for some people it could be relieving some of their stress. This is especially true for those managing projects that need to stay on top of a team, making instant messaging a great device.
Apps Make Life Easier
There are a lot of great apps out there that can help with project management that weren't around a few decades ago. For example, you can collect signatures quicker with apps like CudaSign. You can have them sign in person on your phone or tablet, or even have people sign online from a distance.
With these types of apps it makes it easier for businesses to do work with clients and employees in remote locations as well. You can share apps, and other tools.
More Available Tools
Not only do you have apps at your fingertips, literally, and social media to keep you connected, there are also plenty of cloud management tools available online where you can keep your files and info and have them readily available to all people on your team.
Look for tools that offer you the most in one place so that it is easier to keep track of everything that has to do with your project, from client info to employees that are on the team, and even a report of costs and checklists of what has been completed and what's still on the docket.
Advances In Marketing
You've probably also found that all of these great steps in technology have also lead to advances in marketing which allow you to do more with your business in general. You not only have the ability to market to your current clients, but you can easily share your portfolio with a website or social media that attracts new customers and clients.
Research Is Easier
In the Google generation it is now much easier to do the research you need to do in order to make a successful campaign and to manage your project effectively. Not every knows everything and even on a favored project you might need to do some research, so it helps to have it right at your fingertips.
Take advantage of everything that technology has to offer in order to have a successfully managed project, from excellent software to stay connected on social media.