Project Management Software Vendor Selection for GM Motors

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Project Management Software Vendor Selection for GM Motors

One of the major challenges affecting current organizations is lack of effective project management. This entails having competent individuals who are able to not only track the set tasks, but also develop reports on the array of activities involved. On the other hand, project management software is imperative in the modern organizational sector based on competitiveness and other aspects such as time and planning for resources (Gido & Clements, 2014). Every company is tasked with selecting an effective project management software based on its requirements. While selecting such software, it is important to first identify different vendors and choose the best provider based on the requirements of the company (Burke, 2013). This paper evaluates two vendors, icTracker and Microsoft for General Motors Company’s project management software.

General Motors is a global automotive company serving 6 continents and with more than 181000 employees (General Motors, 2016). With its headquarters in Detroit Michigan, USA, GM has focused on developing quality vehicles based on customer preferences. From heavy duty to electric vehicles, GM provides different varieties that are aimed at meeting the expectations and demands of the customers. Eight distinctive brands under GM exist which include GMC, Chevrolet, Holden, Biock, Cadillac, Wuling, Baojun and Jiefang. Based on the 2016 report, GM delivered more than 10 million vehicles in the whole world which not only reflects on its effectiveness as an international company in the competitive automotive realm but also high profitability. Over the years, GM has focused on quality and safety to its customers which is the foundation of its reputation and growth. With the main rivals being Toyota, GM has managed to get 5 stars for most of its models and is considered the leading seller in the U.S.

GM has continuously invested in various projects both internally and externally. Research and development remain central to its growth and development where the company has implemented millions of dollars in developing cars that are efficient and suitable for use in the current environment (General Motors, 2016). In addition, the current concerns of climate change and global warming prompts for development of vehicles that conform to the environmental protection agency (EPA) Acts. Social responsibility is also another major approach of GM motors where several social projects have been implemented in a bid to maintain a high CSR. Global competition also prompts for swiftness and effectiveness in its services such as identifying the most effective approaches to implementing its projects and regular evaluation of the accomplished tasks through reports. This brings to fore the importance of an effective project management software that handles an array of tasks thus providing the company with its required services.

Two vendors for (this software) which software are available and they include Microsoft which provides Microsoft Office Project and Microsoft Office Project Server and icTracker offering the IcTracker software. The variation between the two is based on various aspects such as services offered, software features and costs. Based on the analysis provided in forms 600 and 601 attached in the appendix, it is apparent that the best vendor is Microsoft as justified below. MS Project and MS Project Server is indeed the most profound software provider based on its reduced costs and an array of software features including the ease of planning, scheduling of the resources, development of multiple reports and diagram types, financial management, scheduling connect and service connect (Microsoft, 2013). Its effectiveness supersedes icTracker whose services include project planning and task management (icTracker, 2011). Some of the services offered by icTracker include profound project management, document management software and task management.

GM motors is a global company with a variety of projects, tasks, and financial management requirements. In this regard, project management for GM requires an established software that provides not only an array of services but also one that is easy to use and applicable in all its requirements from financial management to generation of reports. Project planning is imperative where the scheduling of tasks and resources is critical. MS project is identified as the market leader in project managment software which provides the customer with the flexibility to perform a wide variety of services. To track its growth and development, GM requires a software that can develop reports and comparison diagrams between the actual and laid plans by the company. Further, GM competes on a global scale and is considered a company with a heavy financial plan and requirement. As a result, a well-founded financial manager software is required which MS Project provides. Considering the wide documentation, MS Project provides an effective software which has a backup in case of document loss. Security for MS project is a major concern thus to protect the customer's privacy and information; advanced servers are in place making this vender the best among the two. Other services prompting for one to settle for Microsoft’s MS Project software and server is its reputation, 24-hour customer service provider, free training materials and software that is easy to use.

In conclusion, selection of a software vendor is based on the requirements of a company. Project management remains critical aspect for the organization in regards to scheduling activities, selecting a shortest network to achieving a project and developing regular reports from the planning phase to monitoring and evaluation. The above discussion is based on vendor selection for project management software for GM motors, a global company with numerous projects, reports, and tasks as its requirements. Based on the analysis of icTracker and Microsoft, it is apparent that MS Project is the best based on its features, reputation, cost, and services for a global company.