Software Advice BuyerView: Project Management Software. Insight into today s small-business buyer

Transcription

1 Software Advice BuyerView: Project Management Software Insight into today s small-business buyer

2 Abstract Every year, Software Advice talks with thousands of small businesses (those with annual revenues of $100 million or less), providing us with unparalleled insight into how they evaluate software. We analyzed information from these smallbusiness buyers to learn the features and functionality they want most in new project management software. Almost half of small-business buyers (46 percent) were currently using manual methods to track and organize their projects. Among those buyers who expressed a deployment preference, 100 percent indicated a desire for a Web-based application. Most top-requested applications (in particular, time tracking, task management and resource management) are tied to project profitability or revenue.

3 Almost Half Using Manual Methods to Manage Projects Manual methods Project management software Non-project-management software Nothing Multiple software systems 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% Percent of sample Nearly half of buyers (46 percent) were looking to replace manual methods, while 35 percent were already using some form of project management software.

4 All Buyers With a Preference Wanted Web-Based Deployment 25% Web-based No preference stated 75% The majority of buyers did not indicate a deployment preference (75 percent). However, the remaining 25 percent wanted Web-based deployment.

5 Almost 90 Percent Seek Integrated Suites 12% Integrated suite Best-of-breed 88% The vast majority (88 percent) were interested in purchasing an integrated suite of two or more applications. Only 12 percent of buyers wanted best-of-breed.

6 Majority of Buyer Roles Outside of Formal Project Management 12% 8% 15% 43% Executives/senior managers Project management role Managers Other IT role 21% Forty-three percent were executives or senior managers; 15 percent were in midlevel management. Only 21 percent of buyers were in project management jobs.

7 Top-Requested Applications Linked to Project Profitability Project management Time tracking Task management Resource management Reporting 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Percent of sample Apart from project management, which was 98 percent, time tracking, task management and resource management were top-requested applications.

8 Buyers Seek More Efficiency and Functionality in PM Software Improve efficiency/accuracy Missing functionality Consolidate systems Automate processes Update/modernize Support business growth 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% Percent of sample Forty-one percent of buyers were looking to improve efficiency and accuracy, making this the most-cited reason, with 32 percent needing greater functionality,

9 Majority of Buyers from Companies with 1-50 Employees 2% 5% 18% 11% 64% Sixty-four percent of buyers were from companies with 1-50 employees. Meanwhile, 34 percent were from businesses with 51-1,000 employees.

10 Over Half of Companies Report Revenue of $5 Million or Less 14% 25% 9% 22% 30% Less than $1 million $1-5 million $6-25 million $26-50 million $ million Thirty percent of buyers reported company revenue of $1-5 million, and 22 percent less than $1 million. Only 9 percent reported revenue above $51 million.

11 Four Industries Accounted for 66 Percent of our Sample 5% 6% 8% 2% 6% 3% 5% 15% 15% 21% 15% Technology Public service Industrial Marketing/advertising Management consulting Professional services Healthcare/pharmaceutical Architecture/construction Energy Real estate/interior design Other Four main segments (technology, public service, industrial and marketing/ advertising) were represented by the majority of buyers.

12 Learn More About Project Management Software Read Report Read the full report Get Free Quotes Get free price quotes on top project management software Get Free Demos Get unbiased reviews & demos for project management software

13 @SoftwareAdvice /company/software-advice Software Advice is a trusted resource for software buyers. The company's website, provides detailed reviews, comparisons and research to help organizations choose the right software. Meanwhile, the company s team of software analysts provide free telephone consultations to help each software buyer identify systems that best fit their needs. In the process, Software Advice connects software buyers and sellers, generating high-quality opportunities for software vendors.