Discover the Pros and Cons of Excel!
When it comes to project action plans my go-to tool is Microsoft Excel. Yes, there are all kinds of flashy software programs available these days, but I stand by Excel as a highly useful and powerful project tool.
I will admit that Excel has some definite pros and cons – but when you consider them all, I think it’s still the clear winner. Let’s look at both sides:
Pro: Excel is affordable and accessible
Projects have limited budgets, so there isn’t always room to buy software for everyone. That can leave you as PM, chasing down team members who can’t get in to access vital information and share status updates.
Since most organizations use Microsoft Office, everyone can access Excel, which means no one can use software inaccessibility as an excuse for not being accountable for their tasks.
Con: Excel can be a little technical
To take full advantage of Excel on your projects, you do need to know your way around the program, and that can seem a bit daunting to a beginner. But if you are willing to invest a little time learning the basics of formulas, filters, and formatting, you’ll be amazed at how much time it can save you on your projects.
I have an Excel action plan template in my SLAY Project Management course. It has conditional formatting and formulas all set up for you so all you need to do with it is plug and play. From there? Just get busy reaping the benefits of Excel as a time-saving organizational tool.
More Pros and Cons of Excel
When it comes to using Excel for your project action plans, there are a few more pros and cons to understand. I take a deeper look at them in my latest video. Follow me over to YouTube and let’s continue the Excel conversation!
Want to lead every project to success? Make sure you check out my SLAY Project Management course where I give you all the templates, tips, and techniques you need to make every project a success.
Adriana Girdler, PMP | Creator of Slay Project Management™
