Project management software, like any other computer program, is something that needs to be constantly kept up to date. If you are not taking advantage of the latest tools and tricks, you are falling behind your competitors and being less efficient than you could be. In some cases, keeping up to date means getting new software entirely. Selling that to an executive team can be tricky at times, but here are some tips to get them on your side of the debate.
Be Proactive About the Change
After you have chosen the software that you want to use, you need to make sure that you become its champion in your organization. It’s not enough to sit back and let somebody else run with the idea – you need to be the person shepherding it from pitch to eventual adoption. This means setting meetings with members of your team to explain why the software will benefit the project. After you have your team on board, you need to be consistent in your support of the change to the executive team. Once you have pitched the idea initially, make sure that you set a follow-up meeting to discuss it further. Show that you are serious about the software, and always remain positive when discussing it.
Research Relentlessly
The executives aren’t going to be interested in software that takes a long time to learn or that represents a huge change from what came before. You can dispel the illusion that new software means rocking the boat by making sure that you are knowledgeable about the perks and features of the new software. Never let yourself be at a loss to explain a feature. You should make sure to research not only the inner workings of the software but also the marketing points that the company uses to sell it. Essentially, you are making a sales pitch to the executives, so you need to know what they will see if they research the software, and you need to be able to explain all the key features without hesitation.
Show the Tool in Action
After you have made your pitch, it’s time to show the executives the software in action. Most project management software come with a demo version that allows you to preview the essentials for a group of people. Before your presentation, make sure that you have a detailed plan of action. Ideally, you should be able to focus on three to five features that represent an upgrade over your current software system, thus not only highlighting the strengths of the new tool but also emphasizing the ways that your current tool is no longer efficient. This is also where your research from the prior step comes in handy, so you can show flexibility if the executives have questions about other features.
The key to making sure that new project management software will wow your executives is to make sure that you are committed to and knowledgeable about the tool. Remain positive at all times and know exactly how this software will streamline your work. Once you have your preparation done, making the pitch will be the easy part.
