You need to manage multiple programs with limited resources. What software should you use?

The tool I use is Azure Devops. I tried to manage multiple projects using Azure Devops. It has options such as Agile way of working, pipelines, resource management, reporting to track projects, people. I can create multiple team sprints to manage backlogs of multiple projects and assign resources to those specific projects. It is important to have full stack developers, which will give us flexibility in moving resources across proects.

- In my experience the organization will be better served by leveraging a solution that ties well with the overall enterprise systems in the organization. Many companies buy program management software as a stand alone with limited integration to the rest of the systems. Nowadays, if you're marketing, sales, service, finance and loyalty systems are not talking to each other is hard to truly evaluate or create a good customer journey that also gives you customer 360 data to understand more and more about the customer to better serve their needs.

The use of any tool to manage multiple programs or multiple projects will never replace the the importance of a project management professional. The human touch is essential to the success of the outcome of programs and projects, the final product.

One thing I've found extremely valuable is to select a tool that will bolt on to your CRM system. As the pipeline builds you can understand your capacity vs demand; this allows you to proactively ensure that you will have the right resources to meet the demand. It is also important to keep the profiles of each resource up to date as skillsets and other important criteria is needed in order to select the best fit for the customer and to avoid leaving people on the bench unnecessarily.

In my experience, it is best to have software that ties into the daily operation of the resources and that they update. Their ability to receive assignments, track progress, provide information to their skills and expertise, and perform time tracking is critical to the resource managment software being effective.

In my experience, having reporting software is key to being able to evaluate and analyze your business. Reporting software is just a tool however and what really powers a great reporting system is the strategy to understand the key data points that are needed in order to ensure your reporting also gives you actionable insights. That's where it all really takes off as you can make adjustments and remeasure for progress.

Reporting software serves as a crucial tool in collecting, processing, and presenting data, but its effectiveness is greatly enhanced when coupled with a well-thought-out strategy. Here are some key points to consider: Clearly outline your business objectives and what you aim to achieve with your reporting. Determine the essential data points that directly contribute to your business goals. Make sure your reporting software allows for customization. Establish a routine for regularly reviewing your reports. If possible, integrate your reporting software with other business systems (e.g., CRM, ERP) to ensure a holistic view of your organization.

Having access to the spaces each project that is under the program operates is crucial for a Program Manager or Portfolio Manager to gain insight into the projects under their Program. No matter how effective the software solutions are, projects fail when there is not good communication and collaboration suites help significantly in this. That does not take the place though, of good project managers who can facilitate and lead the resources they are responsible for to communicating well and using the solutions. No matter how good the tool is, if it is not used, projects are subject to increased risk of failed outcomes.

For efficient management of diverse projects like subsea/offshore wind power, grid compliance, manufacturing, and battery storage, consider integrated project management software. Examples include Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, and Asana. These tools aid in resource allocation, scheduling, and collaboration, ensuring streamlined operations across various renewable energy endeavors.