Project management has been in existence for decades, and every year, new technology emerges to make it even more efficient and effective. These days, project managers have plenty of tools in their disposal to achieve their goals, but nothing is as important and powerful as cloud computing.
The cloud has been in existence for more than a decade, and it’s likely that you’re already using cloud without realizing it. The Google Drive is one of the most common examples of cloud computing, but do you know that Instagram and Evernote also employ this practice?
In simpler term, cloud computing is the practice of using a network of remote servers instead of a local server or a personal computer to store, process and manage data. Think of it as sharing the same digital storage space with people located miles away, in which everyone can access and use files at the same time. With just this simple explanation, it’s easy to see how it can be useful to project management.
There are still doubts on the security involved when using cloud, especially when it involves important files. However, companies providing cloud services already offer services to safeguard your files.
There are numerous ways to use cloud computing in project management, and below are some of them:
1. Track the progress of the project and the individuals involved
Through cloud computing, every member of the team can easily track what the others are doing. There are numerous tools that can help mangers track in real-time the progress of every task and individual involved in the project. This is important, as it can tell the project manager whether they’re still on schedule or whether it’s time to speed up the process.
2. Monitor and manage projects even when working remotely
You may be a hundred miles from the office, enjoying your vacation, but through cloud computing, working remotely is now possible. It’s now easier to share ideas and contribute to the project through this technology. Cloud computing also increases workplace mobility, because you are no longer limited by location to achieve your goals.
3. Store files easily accessible by the project members
Files can be accessed at the same time by multiple individuals, and updates in documents can be viewed in real-time. This makes collaborating a lot easier and more effective. The need to share download links or physically transfer files from one computer to another is almost non-existent in the age of cloud computing.
The cloud is also a great way to backup files that can easily be lost when it’s only stored in a local server. Now, there’s a network of servers that can make sure that the important files and documents won’t be lost.
The trick is incorporating the basic concepts of project management and mixing them with the benefits of technology. Achieving project objectives is now easier as long as you know how to properly utilize the available tools, especially cloud computing. Project managers have a wide array of tools to use, and when utilized wisely, no goal is far from reach.