Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Software should be pretty

When you download new software onto your computer, does anyone really read the manual? No! We expect to be able to log in, and to instantly become experts. We're all busy people and the last thing we want to do is fuss around in some software trying to complete simple tasks.

My latest qualm about this is particularly geared towards project management software. If I can't log in, create a project, add a task, and assign my resources without obtaining a PhD, I don't want it.

All the PM software competitors try to be unique and complex, but it all boils down to an old phrase: KISS. Keep it simple stupid! It's one thing for the project manager to have to go in and learn the advanced settings and reporting tools, but everyone else should be able to go in and very simply update their tasks. They also like to compare and be compatible with MS Project, who died and made MS Project the end all/be all in PM software? Newsflash: MS Project isn't perfect either!!!

Finally, reports should be pretty. Who wants to present ugly looking data to their bosses? Not that it should be flashy and totally glossed up, but a little frosting never killed anyone.

1 comment:

Task Guru said...

More a task management tool - but with a great search and query tool. Plus has three level hierarchy - groups, projects, tasks. http://www.statuswiz.com