How to Know if Project Automation is for You

Almost two decades ago, we created this vision of one integrated business system for companies who consider projects a vital component of their business and developed the first Project Automation solution on the market. Since then, it has grown substantially and so has its user base. However, Project Automation is not for everyone, and it is important to figure out if Project Automation is right for your business.

Project Automation ushers in a new paradigm, rejecting the status quo of disconnected applications in favor of one integrated business system. We believe this approach will win out in all levels, but here is how to know if Project Automation is a fit for you right now.

Project Business Degrees of Complexity

Every organization’s needs are different, and with that comes varying degrees of complexity. For example, if your company is relatively small and conducts small projects that only last a few weeks, maybe Project Automation is not for you because you are able to run your business smoothly with existing small business solutions on the market.

However, it’s important to recognize that as your project business management complexity grows, so do your needs for more sophisticated systems to manage that business.

The question becomes, what does a high degree of project business complexity look like?

For one, your projects may involve hundreds or even thousands of tasks that require sophisticated project scheduling capabilities and change management. Or, you require real-time synchronization with procurement, inventory, equipment, and other supply chain and production functions. Maybe your projects span a range of months, even years, that require you to close out your project financials monthly, reforecast your projects, or conduct Earned Value Analysis.

In all of these cases, a high degree of project business complexity means you need more sophisticated tools and solutions to manage those processes. And the truth is, Project Automation is the only solution out there that can meet that level of complexity.

Find out if Project Automation is a good fit for your company. Schedule a briefing with an expert to discuss your situation and how Project Automation could be applied to your business.

Is PlanAutomate for You?

PlanAutomate is built for those companies managing large, complex projects. As mentioned above, if your project business processes are simple and straightforward, then Project Automation might not be the best solution for you. Or, if you are fine trying to manage complex projects worth millions of dollars to your business in spreadsheets, you may believe you don’t need Project Automation. But if your business demands are more sophisticated, or if you know that spreadsheets are not the way to manage a complex project business, you need something more.

If you’re in the market for a new ERP, project management, project accounting, portfolio management, or project analytics software, do your research before taking the plunge. Why purchase individual point solutions and continue to rely on spreadsheets, when you can consolidate all your project business functions into one, comprehensive system. Not only are you doing away with the time it takes to consolidate all the data from different standalone applications, but you’re also eliminating the cost and frustration needed to maintain them.

Think about how you manage your projects. How do you get project updates, and how do you manage risk? It’s not what you know, but when you know it that really matters. If you’re projects involve hundreds of tasks and you are managing your business on data that is weeks old or even more, then the opportunity for problems to arise is pretty high.

Project Automation tracks financial and operational events in real time, flagging any deviations and trends. This allows companies to have visibility into any potential problem areas before they become major risks. Essentially, Project Automation provides a level of monitoring that not only increases agility, but improves decision making and increases the likelihood of success.

The key takeaway is only you know what’s best for your project business. Only you can determine how complex your business is. But the more complex it is, the more traditional project management, project accounting, project analytics software isn’t going to work for you.

Companies need a solution that ties together support for all major business processes. This not only includes backend ERP functionality (i.e. accounting, general ledger, customer management, HR, supply chain and MRP), but also project-driven processes (i.e. project financials and accounting, project management and operations, project sales and proposals, project insight and analytics, and project owner collaboration).

Project Automation is the only solution that reaches this level of comprehensiveness.

Download the Project Automation Requirements Template to learn more about everything that a comprehensive system should cover for your business.