In this article, we’ll learn the differences and advantages of Cor over other horizontal project management tools, and how it can escalate and impact your business.
Ying and Yang, Coke and Pepsi, Android and iPhone, vertical or horizontal solutions? There seems to be a dichotomy in even the most mundane spaces of our lives, and organizations are not immune. Vertical and horizontal tools count with avid fans arguing for the benefit of one over the other. Let’s take a look and see how the requirements of each type of business set it apart.
Vertically structured organizations are at the center of the traditional business model, with a defined leadership structure that flows down from C-levels to department heads, middle management, collaborators, and more. Team members work in a linear flow towards a defined goal. Each collaborator has a clearly assigned task that fits perfectly in a long and complex project plan.
Horizontal-type businesses, in contrast, are designed for having less division between upper management and the skilled talent, choosing less of a hierarchical structure. They usually implement an agile style of management. This works well for short project cycles that require constant testing and changing. As well as overlapping the contribution of multiple company areas in one project.
Both vertical and horizontal project management styles require specific tools and features to implement a correct and streamlined workflow. In this article, we’ll focus on top-shelf features offered by project management solutions, and how they can help improve your business.
Resource Management
Project managers have the responsibility of setting a project plan, organizing the resources and time a project needs for completion. Horizontal solutions attempt to tackle this problem. They allow for task assignment, budget allocation, and scheduling. The problem arises from the inability of horizontal software to keep up with the ever-changing paths of agile-style methodologies.
Imagine there’s a significant change between the initial project and the finished product. The basic features don’t take into account the complete scope of work done, and the resources are not updated, without taking into account the time used in reworks. The fee for that project is obsolete and could make your business lose money.
A way of tackling this methodology issue is to implement a vertical project management solution, like COR, that can roll with the punches and deploy real-time modifications across the whole project and platform.
When looking for a tool for your business, check for all-in-one software that has integrated vital functionalities. Centralized communication, time tracking, task allocation, scheduling, Gantt’s Chart templates, and more importantly: automated resource management.
With automated resource management, you can check the real-time availability of every team member and reallocate tasks when needed, with the certainty that delegation will be precise. And the budget for your hard work will always be done in real-time, allowing you to control costs and renegotiate efficiently.
Project Management with Artificial Intelligence
Horizontal software usually requires multiple APIs for effective management and can support businesses in their day-to-day seamlessly. But what happens when growing pains make an appearance? This is fine for small operations that are not thinking about scaling, but once your team is starting to grow, they will need a solution that can accompany that growth. The increasing scope of work, new departments, new talent, bigger and longer projects that can’t be managed in a horizontal style anymore.
A project management tool with artificial intelligence can free up precious hours across the organization by taking care of mundane and time-consuming tasks. This means getting the basic project management requirements, like assigning tasks, but taking it to the next level.
At COR we can show you the progress of each project and its budget while showing you a profitability estimation. These tools also come with project templates for making task assignment easier and even centralized communication and file sharing capacities. This is an invaluable tool for day-to-day management, and scaling your operation.
Estimation and Time Tracking
Time tracking is starting to change its reputation. While it can be perceived as a means to control employees’ work hours, it’s a necessary tool for taking care of your team’s health and the overall processes of the organization.
Horizontal software often focuses on one item at a time, like time tracking or project management, or forecasting. Most businesses have to use several tools to accomplish what an all-in-one solution can offer.
COR’S Automated time tracking feature can save your business enormous amounts of time and resources, by systematically recording task timesheets that then feed the forecast and estimation capabilities. This allows for PMs to effectively assign tasks that will get done on time, taking care of the company’s deadlines, image, and the talent’s well-being by avoiding the assignment of more than the work hours permitted.
Profitability Analysis
This is where the biggest difference between specialized horizontal and vertical software lies. Taking care of a company’s overall margins is where horizontal tools miss their mark. As teams grow, decisions are not easily streamlined, becoming more convoluted and slower. Scaling magnifies any issues already present in the business and makes it harder to effectively integrate and track progresses.
What we previously discussed merges with this issue. Any type of operation, be it big or small, vertical or horizontal, requires a great deal of business intelligence and positive margins to continue their work. Time tracking, automation, and estimation features flow into COR’s profitability analysis, the stepping stone for better metrics and a cleaner revenue.
When you can calculate each type of project’s profitability this elevates your chances for better fee negotiation. With machine learning and customizable reports, you can access vital data for smart decision-making.
Historic information grants you the knowledge needed to evaluate if the type of work done is smart and profitable, it can even tell you which type of client is better suited for expanding the commercial relationship.
Dichotomies are starting to feel a little obsolete. With more and more enterprises taking the aspects that simply fit them. Nitpicking what works and leaving behind what doesn’t.
That’s why at COR we believe we are an excellent fit for any type of organization, empowering them where they may need a hand, and simplifying the excellent work they are already doing. For well-established businesses as well as organizations that are looking to scale their operation, supporting their growing work, while taking care of their talent and finances.
