How to Evaluate the Performance of Your EVM Software
When done well, Earned Value Management (EVM) enables project managers to troubleshoot problems quickly and provides easy, real-time performance monitoring. Yet in the age of digital transformation, committing to EVM software for years- or decades-long projects risks committing to systems that could soon become outdated, limiting your project’s potential.
Will legacy software and outdated databases debilitate and cost your project over time? Hopefully not, but it is important to know how to evaluate the performance of your EVM software, especially in terms of the costs of maintenance during the lifespan of the project’s. The key is to remain proactive, anticipating future project needs or limitations and not simply reacting to EVM software maintenance issues as they occur. Keep thorough notes on performance history as well as a wish list of ideal software functions and compatibilities. This will help guide the conversation on EVM software relevancy for long-term and large-scale projects, help avoid costly breaks and fixes and ensure project continuity with any future software changes.
Performance variables to consider
There are many variables to consider when evaluating whether your EVM software will perform over the long-term and it is a time-consuming process. Unfortunately, you may not be in a position to know what your project truly needs. At the most basic level, you want to align the software to fit your project, deliver the capabilities you need and meet your budget. Essentially, you are committing to a long-term relationship with EVM software, and you need to understand whether it’s one that can stand the test of time. Here’s how:
Evaluate your software against industry and government requirements: Is the software current and up to date, and how often is it updated? You want software that can be deployed quickly in a secure environment, ensuring compliance.
Know the annual maintenance expectations and costs: What are the costs associated with supporting the software? Fixing bugs, supporting cloud or on-premises implementation, and paying vendors for additional support can add up.
Consider ease of use: User-friendliness is critical to quick implementation and long-term success. High user adoption rates will affect how easy it is to train new users, ensuring project continuity with any employee turnover. Take the time to interview multiple users for their perspectives on the software; this may also help you forecast future project needs.
Understand the value of integrated tools: Is the software design compatible with future integrations across the systems and tools you use? Seamless integration saves time and money; ad hoc tools are temporary fixes and can create unforeseeable incompatibility issues leading to user confusion.
Assess its adaptability to emerging technologies: Is there an opportunity for customization and to manipulate data for future reporting? Comprehensive customization—from reporting to workflows—is key to replacing manual processes and avoiding redundancy.
Determine its scalability: The size of a project can change many times over a year—or a decade. Can the software scale as you go, when you need it? Projects that grow in scope and complexity require flexibility and an intuitive system.
Evaluating EVM software performance may seem complicated, but it doesn’t have to be when project leaders plan for it well in advance. Routine evaluation will help deter issues and lead to informed decision-making on updating or changing EVM software that best serves you and your project.